West Solent sandy beaches

[jac]

Have promised the kids some beach time so sand preferred.

We need to be back on mooring for Saturday night for various reasons so looking for somewhere we can sail to in a couple of hours, anchor, please kids, come back late afternoon. Given tide this weekend I think that really means Western Solent. Previously we've done Bembridge for the beach but that's out this weekend.

Newtown is ok but not that far and is quite Stoney - I was thinking of Colwell bay or Totland which iirc are sandy but not anchored there. Anyone done so and can confirm holding?

Any other possibles ??

 

[AIDY]

only one place for sandy beach but it aint the solent......... WEYMUFF best sand on the south coast

don't forget the buckets and spades

 

[Giblets]

Totland is good holding and has sandy beach but with HW at 10:20 and 12:00 and LW at 16:30 on Saturday I don't think you'll see much of it.

 

[prv]

I've anchored for the night in Alum Bay before without issue. Giblets's tide times don't sound great for getting in and out of Hurst, but perhaps if you have a powerful boat you'll be able to punch the end and beginning of the foul tides.

I can't think of anywhere inside the western Solent that you'll find sand.

Pete

 

[mainsail1]

There is a sandy beach to the West of Yarmouth near Fort Victoria. Park up in Yarmouth and walk maybe?

 

[Giblets]

There is a sandy beach to the West of Yarmouth near Fort Victoria. Park up in Yarmouth and walk maybe?

And IIRC a very nice cafe nearby as well! :encouragement:

 

[oGaryo]

I've dropped the hook (albeit from a mobo) in Colwell bay on several occasions and held well just east of the slipway 100yds or so from the shore.. it's rocky either side of the slip... nice little cafe and adequate beach area when the tide's not all the way in

 

[l'escargot]

There is a small one at Yarmouth immediately to the West of the harbour with a roped off swimming area. You can anchor just outside of the swimming area or pick up one of the buoys outside the harbour and dinghy ashore.

 

[oldbilbo]

There is a small one at Yarmouth immediately to the West of the harbour with a roped off swimming area. You can anchor just outside of the swimming area or pick up one of the buoys outside the harbour and dinghy ashore.

Several years ago, now-departed and much missed forumite 'Pugwash' aka Reader's Digest feature writer John Dyson, and I, brought his fine Holman ketch 'Sovrana' back from the West Country to a mooring on the Beaulieu River visible from the grandkids' bedroom in one of the old Coastguard cottages there.

Prior to our arrival at 'Jack In The Basket', John asked me the very same question about 'a sandy beach suitable for the grandchildren and picnics'. That beach just west of Yarmouth was the one we chose, and it served him - and his team of young 'pirates' - very well throughout what was to be his last summer.

I am certain it will give your bunch as much fun as it did his.

Enjoi....

 

[prv]

There is a small one at Yarmouth immediately to the West of the harbour

I think that's the answer, isn't it. How did I forget that?

Strictly speaking you're liable for Yarmouth harbour dues if anchored there, but I don't know if they bother collecting them.

Pete

 

[jac]

Had thought of Yarmouth as probably the best of the beaches but not so keen on paying them the fees for a few hours.

We'll do well to get out of the Hamble by 10:30 so probably about 1 by the time we get down that far so hopefully should start to be some beach emerging from the sea at Totland or Colwell. Certainly by the time we get them dinghy out and kids ashore!!

 

[chanelyacht]

Time to get to Swanage?

Otherwise Freshwater IOW, or Mudeford?

 

[jac]

Time to get to Swanage?

Otherwise Freshwater IOW, or Mudeford?

Prob could - however if we want to get back that evening then spending another hour there, another hour back eats into the kids beach time.

 

[prv]

Had thought of Yarmouth as probably the best of the beaches but not so keen on paying them the fees for a few hours.

Ah - do you know if they actually do collect dues from anchored boats, then? I've never anchored there, but I'd be interested to know for the future.

Pete

 

[jac]

Ah - do you know if they actually do collect dues from anchored boats, then? I've never anchored there, but I'd be interested to know for the future.

Pete

Not sure Pete. Their website does say there is a fee for overnight or short stay. Only £5 for time on the beach it's not even as if I'm using the pontoon for the dinghy.

 

[lustyd]

Ah - do you know if they actually do collect dues from anchored boats, then? I've never anchored there, but I'd be interested to know for the future.

Pete

If there's one thing I remember about Yarmouth it's their efficiency at taking money from people I wouldn't be surprised if it was £5 for the anchoring then a surcharge of £2.30 to use your tender to get to the beach and £1.20 per child for swimming.

 

[Seven Spades]

There is a sandy beach to the West of Yarmouth near Fort Victoria. Park up in Yarmouth and walk maybe?

yes this is your best option.

 

[l'escargot]

There is a sandy beach to the West of Yarmouth near Fort Victoria. Park up in Yarmouth and walk maybe?

yes this is your best option.

Swimming isn't advisable anywhere near Fort Victoria, the tide rips through there - there are "Swimming Prohibited" signs for that reason. Nowhere safe to anchor there either so you would still end up paying to stop in Yarmouth and a walk to a less safe beach.

 

[Seven Spades]

Not sure Pete. Their website does say there is a fee for overnight or short stay. Only £5 for time on the beach it's not even as if I'm using the pontoon for the dinghy.

It does not say where the charge for anchoring applies. I can't see any justification for charging to anchor in open water.

 

[prv]

It does not say where the charge for anchoring applies.

It will be within the outer harbour limits of Yarmouth - obviously it's not sensible to anchor within the breakwater.

I can't see any justification for charging to anchor in open water.

Try telling that to half the ports in the West Country

Unfortunately, whatever the moral situation, they do have the legal right. Yarmouth outer harbour limits are a big square box running well out into the Solent, starting from a few metres east of the pier and ending a surprising distance to the west of the beach. The exact positions are in their official charter or whatever-it-is, available from their website.

The standard tightwad way to visit Yarmouth without being stung is to anchor east of the pier - but there are quite a few moorings there now to avoid, and unless the OP has a substantial tender it's not very convenient for the beach.

Pete