Compton Bay
South East
Freshwater

Compton offers a two mile stretch of contrasting golden and dark sands, with rolling seas, tumbling multi-coloured sandstone cliffs, and the white chalk cliffs at Freshwater in the distance.

One of the Isle of Wight’s best kept secrets is Compton Beach.

Reminiscent of the beaches in Cornwall or even on the west coast of America, and popular with surfers, Compton is a totally natural do-it-yourself beach. Bring all you need including windbreaks (if necessary), body and surf boards and food and drink, although there is an ice-cream van that also vends beverages and snacks.

Newly restored steep steps lead down to the beach from Hanover Point/Shippard's Chine where there is a large National Trust (NT) car park, toilet facilities and fresh water tap or drive further west to Compton Chine/Farm and find a smaller NT car park on the opposite side of the coastal road and tiered steep steps down to the beach.

Compton is a great place to pick up fossils, including those of dinosaurs, and you can book tours on the beach to see the dinosaur footprints in the sandstone ledge at Hanover Point that are exposed at low tide. The beach is ideal for games and sandcastle making, especially at low tide and you may catch sight of paragliders passing over the cliff line or kite surfers out at sea. 

Please note there are seasonal restrictions on dogs for this beach.

TOP TIPS:
Walk about half way down the beach between Hanover Point and Compton Chine and you'll avoid the rocky outcrop in the shallows of the sea when you swim.