Isle of Wight...what's a must see/ do?

[Dhewg]

Off to IOW in a few weeks.

2 adults, 3 young adults (17-20). We're staying in Cowes.

Last time I went was about 12 years ago.

I'd like to go to Osborne House and Carisbrook Castle (children were too young and fractious to drag round a stately home last time!) but where else would you suggest? Am trying to make a reasonable holiday in place of our planned foreign break, we're staying in a nice rental property with a hot tub, but would like to.plan a few things to avoid them slouching round on phones all day or complaining they're bored!

Quite honestly unless they love outdoors stuff I think that is q difficult age to amuse here.. but if they do , kayaking, paddle boarding etc ( or would like to learn,) then these are good .. Outdoor adventures.. I have not used them myself but have seen them at our local beach and they are really well organised..

Lots of beautiful countryside to explore, and beaches. Beaches on the south side (Brooke, Compton etc) are natural and you can have a drink at The Wight Mouse in Chale which has the biggest beer garden! Apart from that I would suggest a day in Ryde. A fantastic sandy beach, great for swimming, and then you have amusements and ice cream kiosks. To be honest I live here and my children are the same age. Unless they are into beaches and walking I don't know what else to suggest!

Beaches
Mackerel fishing off Ventnor and BBQ the catch
Nice meals out. - some fabulous restaurants
Cycling
Walking
Surfing
Coasteering
Kayaking
Lots of tacky tourist places and events

From Cowes I’d do Osborne including beach
Carisbrook
Needles for fireworks
Open air cinema (if it’s on this year)
Trip over to Gunwharf if they get desperate for shops
Cinema

Sailing courses incday ones at uksa in cowes
horse riding
bike hire Cowes

Restaurant wise see if you can get into the hut at Colwell bay. If you want good seafood then the smoking lobster at Ventnor.
Thompson’s in Newport is good as is Little Gloucester and Number 3 in Cowes.
MooCow is our children’s favourite.

IF the ghost walks are on, they are great fun for teenagers. Botanic gardens one used to be excellent.

Fishing trips to the Needles from Yarmouth

The Hut is only doing take way picnics atm

I was coming on to suggest Blackgang Chine (obvs!) but then saw the age! I don't know though, Zoella went there a few years ago on her vlog and seemed to have fun in an ironic way!

Compton Beach on the South Coast is good and good for body boarding. We went to Shanklin Chine which was very pretty but I'm not sure there is much else there. And the Needles is quite good for all ages I think?

Are they into outdoor pursuit type stuff? Maybe get on Google and look up companies which do coasteering, kayaking, climbing etc?