Ryde Beach (Ryde East)

On the Northeastern coast of the Isle of Wight lie the beaches of Ryde, offering miles of golden sand and every amenity a beach goer could wish for.

The beach’s wide expanse of sand is so massive that at low tide it can take several minutes to get from a sunbathing spot to the water. Ryde’s harbour is only accessible at high tide, and boats stuck on the sandbanks are not an uncommon sight.

Ryde’s pier splits the beach in two, with a wide variety of activities and entertainments occupying both the pier itself and the beaches beside it. The pier is the second longest seaside pier in the country, but even that isn’t enough to keep the sand from almost reaching the pier’s edge at low tide. The nearly half mile long pier was originally constructed in 1814 and today is a lovely place to step out over the sea and feel as though you’re truly walking on water. From the pier, visitors are treated to stunning views of Portsmouth and its famous Spinnaker Tower. Facing the pier, an amusement arcade is filled with multiple restaurants, pubs and shops. An ice rink, a bowling alley and a pirate themed play area, Peter Pan’s Playground, are all close by.

To the East of the Pier, visitors will find several amusements as well as the most popular beaches of the area. Waterside, an indoor/outdoor swimming pool, is one of the first attractions guests will come across on this side of the pier. There is also a small boating lake where visitors can rent swan-shaped pedalos. The beaches are easily accessed via the promenade that runs East of the pier. Deckchairs, sunloungers and more can all be hired along the promenade and on the beach itself, as well as equipment for windsurfing, which is popular in the area.

To the West of the Pier, the beaches are much smaller and quieter, often favored more by locals than tourists.