In the summer months the Isle of Wight has traditionally been a magnet for holidaymakers in search of sun, sea and sand – whether they’re after seaside favourites like Sandown and Ryde, or quieter hideaways, tucked well away from the tourist trail. There are 60 miles of beaches to discover around the Wight coastline, many set amongst areas of dramatic natural beauty or hidden beneath huge cliffs. Aside from the stretches of golden sands for which the Island is so well known, there are secluded coves with rockpools to explore, picturesque bays and long expanses of virgin territory, often reached only by an adventurous climb down the cliffs.

But the Isle of Wight lives on away from the summer months. With its mild climate the Island has, in recent years, become a year-round attraction and so too have its beaches. In the spring and autumn – even in winter – activities like fossil hunting, beachcombing, extreme watersports and, especially, walking take over from sunshine pursuits like sunbathing, paddling and building sandcastles. And when we say that the Isle of Wight’s sands justly deserve the description ‘A beach for all Seasons,’ we know that regular visitors to the Island agree with us. They told us exactly that in a survey of holidaymakers’ opinions.

The next sections reflect their views. Established favourites like Sandown, Shanklin and Ryde, with their expansive stretches of clean sand and great leisure facilities, proved as popular as ever. But a growing number of visitors sang the praises of some of its quiet, unspoilt beaches. This leaflet therefore lifts the lid on some of the Island’s best kept secrets, places like Steephill Cove in the south, Bembridge in the east and Totland Bay in West Wight. Our rundown of the 13 most highly rated beaches includes traditional favourites and little gems nominated by Isle of Wight holidaymakers. So read on, discover the remarkable diversity on offer and plan your next trip to one of the Island’s glorious beaches... Survey Top Ten