Yaverland is a long, wide sweep of golden sand edged by the famed red and white cliffs. It has great fossil finding prospects and is rated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Collecting of fossils can only be done from the bottom of the cliffs but it is very likely you will find something to take home to show off with. rightbeach found fossilised bivalves hidden in grey sandstone. Go out and see what you can find!

The beach itself is a sandy, open space. It is popular with dog walkers and families but is also known for a variety of water acitivities such as windsurfing and fishing. It is busiest between the groynes but you can get that feeling of near isolation by heading ‘beach right’.

Yaverland beach is very close to The Isle of Wight Zoo (Tiger Sanctuary) which is a chance to get up close and almost personal with some truly stunning tigers. rightbeach fell in love with Xena the snow tiger. It is also a stone’s throw from Dinosaur Isle (think Natural History Museum on a small seaside scale)

rightbeach would recommend Yaverland for a day on the beach with children and family dog. Easy car parking and toilet facilities combined with enough space to spread out and build a sand fortress (see photo) make it a real winner.

Beach blurb

• Tide and weather »
• Lifeguards: No
• Water quality: Recommended »
• Dogs: Allowed on this beach

See Yaverland beach on a map …

Things to note to ensure your trip goes well:

• Visit the beach after a heavy rain storm for the best chance of finding fossils. Perhaps combine it with a trip to Dinosaur Isle (lots of interactive dino fun along with the best dino shop EVER! rightbeach bought a mould to make the fossilised remains of a triceratops out of chocolate!
• Windbreaks or tents are a must as the wide beach can get rather breezy.
• Great beach for kite flying. rightbeach nearly had its head removed by the string of a wildy flapping butterfly-shaped kite.

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Area	Rating	Observation
Beach		Flat sand, sand at all times, cool fossil opportunities when beach combing
Crowded (1=deserted)		Populated but not on top of each other. Head ‘beach right’ for more space to call your own.
Surf		Breezy beach means good surf. Popular with windsurfers.
Sand		Sand. Small pebbles, fossils and tumbled glass in the tide line. All very pretty really.
Parking		About £1 an hour. Get there earlyish to get a space in the car park nearest the steps.
Toilets		In the car park, so not too far away. Free and eco. The cleanest toilets rightbeach has come across.
Food		Ice creams and the usual chips and sausage roll from the one cafe by the car park.
Shopping		A walk into Sandown brings more traditional gift shops or pubs for a wider meal choice.

Review by rightbeach