Coast and beaches
From wild cliffs and open seas to tranquil beaches and hidden coves, there are endless beautiful places along the coastline we look after to explore.
Best coastal spots for watersports
From sea kayaking to windsurfing, there are plenty of ways to experience the coast from a new perspective. Discover the coastal locations we look after, including beaches, estuaries and bays, that are best for watersports.
- Brancaster Beach, Norfolk
- If you’re seeking a coastal adventure in North Norfolk, it’s hard to beat Brancaster. This wide expanse of golden sands is perfect not just for building sandcastles but for high-adrenaline sports too. It’s particularly popular with kite-surfers, and there are designated zones for launching and landing to ensure all visitors can enjoy the beach. Due to strong tidal conditions, we recommend that only experienced kite-surfers use this beach.Visit Brancaster
- Compton Bay, Isle of Wight
- Compton Bay is a good location for surfers of all abilities, with areas suited to both shortboarders and longboarders. The bay is also a great place for windsurfing beginners, although Brook Bay to the east is better for intermediates. If you’re new to surfing, the Isle of Wight Surf Club can offer advice and lessons on how to get started.Visit Compton Bay
- Portstewart Strand, Northern Ireland
- Sweeping along the edge of the northern coast, this two-mile stretch of golden sand is one of Northern Ireland's finest beaches. While an ideal place for lazy picnics and walks into the sand dunes, it also provides gentle waves, making it great for certain watersports. Find out more about our work to make Portstewart Strand an inclusive beach, including a new Changing Places facility and more Blue Badge parking spaces.Visit Portstewart Strand
- Poldhu Cove, Cornwall
- Poldhu Cove is particularly popular with surfers and has a small surf school that operates every day in the summer. Former professional surfer Dan Joel (www.danjoelsurf.com) offers family-friendly lessons with a portion of the cost going to the National Trust to help look after beaches like Poldhu.Visit Poldhu
- Stackpole, Pembrokeshire
- Experience the Pembrokeshire coast through a watersports session at Stackpole Quay. Join a sea kayaking session or try coasteering, which was invented in Pembrokeshire, and combines cliff jumping, low-level rock traversing and sea swimming.Visit Stackpole
- Studland Bay, Dorset
- Studland Bay is a prime location for watersports enthusiasts, offering a variety of activities for beginners and experts. It's known for its calm waters, making it an ideal place to enjoy paddleboarding and kayaking. The bay is also popular with windsurfers thanks to its steady breezes.Visit Studland Bay
- Wembury, Devon
- While Wembury Beach is great for strolling and sandcastle-building, there's plenty to do in the water, including sailing, diving and watersports. This part of the coast is a popular spot for kayaking and, with swells of up to ten feet, it caters to surfers of all abilities.Visit Wembury
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