Isle of wight

[FurBabyMum02]

What's the best beach to stay near on the Isle of Wight with young kids (5yo, 2.5 yo) If we want sand, rock pools, maybe a few waves for daddy to body board and ideally not super commercial and touristy but still with somewhere to get the kids an ice cream and some chips and a toilet?

Chat gbt reckons Shanklin but I wanted to ask some real people haha. We've never been so any pointers welcome

We went to the strip of sand at Compton beach every time, it has toilets in the car park but no food options that I recall, and is probably better for body boarding. Ventnor has a better beach I think and all the facilities, more sheltered though so not sure on the body boarding.

Sandown is the calmest for small children, but dull for adults who like waves. Ventnor is beautiful and safe, and has a rocky bit at one end. but there is a dip where it goes deeper and sometimes it gets quite 'weedy' . Shanklin is halfway between those two, geographically as well.

You won't get both on the island. Compton is best for body surfing. Best sand is at Ryde where you can go out a very long way when tide is out , play beach games etc and good facilities but no good for surfing . Compton though is great for rock pools at low tide and well known for its dinosaur footprints which you can still see. Also for dino finds ( if you are lucky! ) but not a beach for kids to swim from . But no facilities.

Id tend to say Freshwater Bay for beach and boarding but it's mainly shingle with a little sand at low tide , however good bathing there but best at low tide for small kids , has good loos just a bit up the road from the beach and a small shop . Colwell Bay is probably best on west of island for kids , safe swimming for kids , shops and loos . Not really surfing though . Rock pools only at low tide . Also Totland Bay , sand at low tide , but otherwise shingle. Loos but not ice-cream except if van turns up though does have a good cafe

Sandown and Shanklin are more old style traditional British beach resorts very touristy. Ryde is in a way as has lots of beach entertainment but is a proper small town with some interesting small shops and lots of good places to eat . But no more than a paddling beach as tide goes out a long way on sand I think Dad may get bored unless he's into beach cricket etc! Ventnor is more of a beach resort but pretty small and gets crowded, definitely not suitable for surfing - it's right in the town .

Ventnor would be my choice. It’s a typical seaside experience without the crowds of Shanklin and Sandown. It’s handy for exploring the rest of the island and it’s close to Blackgang Chine which is great for small children. It’s also got Steephill Cove which is a good spot for rockpooling. Talking of hills, Ventnor is on quite a steep hill so bear that in mind when choosing accommodation.

If you do come to the island Robin Hill is great for a day out . It's just reopened this season having been updated. It's a mix of country park and attractions like skywalk and climbing frames,.. The toboggan is great fun ( like a roller coaster but on ground level) , wood walks, hawk flights , theatre, music etc suitable for both kids and adults.

Thank you all,really useful and I appreciate the responses ☺️ probably Looking at either Shanklin or ventnor depending what accomodation we find

Appley beach at ryde is nice. Iow has lots of lovely beaches. Bembridge best for evening rock pools

Appley beach at ryde is nice. Iow has lots of lovely beaches. Bembridge best for evening rock pools