Alum Bay

Why you'll love it here

Known for its multi coloured sands, Alum Bay offers breathtaking views across the Solent.

If you have ever visited the Isle of Wight and especially The Needles Landmark Attraction. Chances are you have filled a figurine with various coloured sands, and here is where they are from.

The beach is accessible by either The Needles chairlift or a long flight of stairs. This makes the beach unsuitable for those with mobility restrictions and prams. The bay is known for its crystal clear waters, which are a huge hit for those wanting a paddle in the shallows. It is a popular spot with water sports enthusiasts, especially those who are keen on kayaking and paddleboarding. The beach is mainly shingle, but it’s the perfect place to take in the view of The Needles and also watch the boats go by (an excellent spot to watch early racers on Round the Island Race day).

How are the coloured sands at Alum Bay formed? Around 70 million years the sea bed rose, eroded and then sank again. As the then-new sea level was shallow, it deposited various layers of sand and clay. Around 10 million years later, further movement pushed the sediments nearly vertically to form the multi-coloured cliffs that we see today.

As the Isle of Wight became a popular tourist destination, Alum Bay became ‘the place’ to visit. People could access the cliffs and sands easily, taking ‘souvenirs’ home from their visit. Now, due to safety reasons, you can only collect the sand by creating your holiday souvenir in the shop at The Needles Landmark Attraction.

You can view the stunning cliffs from the sea with regular boat and rib rides around this section of the Isle of Wight coast… You may be lucky to catch a glimpse of a visiting pod of dolphins.

FACT: The sands are made of three minerals – quartz, felspar and mica.