While the Isle of Man may only be 33 miles in length, it has a mighty 100 miles of coastline to explore, with some gorgeous beaches to boot. Nothing makes a holiday better more than a relaxed day at the beach, whether that’s to lie back and soak up the sun, plunge headfirst into the waves, scramble over rocks to discover magical rock pools or simply let the water lap onto your bare feet as you stroll along the shoreline.
With so many sandy beaches, rocky coves, and hidden, tranquil bays to discover, it can be hard to decide where to go, so we’ve compiled a list of the top beaches on the Isle of Man to explore to make things a little easier for you.
Douglas Beach
• Lifeguard cover: None
• Parking: There are lots of car parks close to the beach
• Accessibility: There is accessible parking and a ramp onto the beach at the Broadway end of the beach
• Facilities: Cafés, restaurants, pubs, toilets
Stretching over 2 miles, the island’s capital, Douglas, boasts a huge sandy beach, ensuring you don’t have to go far for a day by the sea. Definitely one of the most popular on the island, this beach has plenty of seafront amenities, a walkway, picnic area and a pretty promenade, so you’re never far from a place to eat and drink or get yourself an ice cream.
Situated on the southern end of Douglas Bay, it’s a great spot for families who need a little more to keep everyone entertained, such as the charming horse-drawn tramway that takes visitors up and down the promenade. The beach has views over the bay towards the Tower of Refuge, a medieval edifice on a small island, and there’s plenty of parking nearby. Please note there are no lifeguards on this beach, and dogs aren’t allowed between the hours of 10am and 6pm, from the 1st of May to the 30th of September.
Port Erin Beach
• Lifeguard cover: None
• Parking: Plenty of parking along the promenade
• Accessibility: Ramped access from the car park, with a beach wheelchair available from Port Erin Commissioners
• Facilities: Shower, seasonal beach huts, ice cream shops, toilets
This stunning, horseshoe-shaped sandy beach can be found on the southwestern tip of the Isle of Man. With Bradda Head standing majestically at the northern end of Port Erin Beach, which curves to the west, this is an excellent spot for sunset watching and perfect for romantic evenings. Pack a blanket, a picnic, and something special to drink and head here for an unforgettable evening when the skies are clear.
Alternatively, take a stroll along the nostalgic promenade during the day, treat yourself to tea and cake at the little café on the beach, don your swimsuit and take the plunge or build castles on the oh-so-golden sands.
Ramsey Beach
• Lifeguard cover: None
• Parking: There are plenty of car parks throughout Ramsey
• Accessibility: A slipway is available on the south end of the promenade
• Facilities: Café, restaurant, toilets, shops
Believed by locals to be one of the sunniest spots on the island, Ramsey is the last stop on the Manx Electric Railway, and the beach is just a minute’s walk away from the town. With its vast sandy beach, this is a popular spot with an impressively large Victorian pier that, although closed since 1991 and currently undergoing extensive restoration, is well worth taking a look at.
At the other end of the beach, the island’s largest river, the Sulby, enters the sea, and the town also has a working harbour, making the beach a vibrant spot and great for watching boats and ships come and go. At the back of the beach, a lovely promenade runs its length and carries on into the centre of town, making for a lovely stroll to go and find a place to eat or take a look at the shops. Dogs are banned on the south of the beach from South Breakwater to the lifeboat slipway off Queen’s Promenade.
Peel Beach
• Lifeguard cover: None
• Parking: There is parking in the town
• Accessibility: Ramped access from the promenade, and a beach wheelchair is available for hire
• Facilities: Cafés, restaurants, shops, toilets
Overlooked by the impressive medieval fortress of Peel Castle and the historic fishing port, this picturesque beach lies to the west of the island and is protected by a large breakwater, making it a great swimming spot for families. Known as the ‘Sunset City’, Peel Beach really is a lovely place to watch a sunset and witness the sunlight darken to a rich gold before it disappears behind the castle.
With spectacular views over the Irish Sea, you can often spot Ireland’s Mountain of Mourne in the distance on a clear day, while there’s plenty of amenities next to the beach, and the town is an easy walk away for when the sea air makes tummies rumble. If you happen to be on the Isle of Man on New Year’s Day, the Peel Dip takes place here annually and is great to watch, or take part in if you’re particularly brave!
Ballaugh Beach
• Lifeguard cover: None
• Parking: Ballaugh Beach car park
• Accessibility: Limited access to the beach, with soft sand unsuitable for wheelchairs
• Facilities:
Not far from Ramsey, this lovely beach, also known as The Cronk, is an exposed sand and shale beach on the northwest side of the island, making it a popular spot for experienced windsurfers and kitesurfers. Backed by low cliffs, it’s one of the best dog-friendly beaches on the Isle of Man, making it a great spot for a walk throughout the year.
Interestingly, the beach’s car park is a registered Dark Sky Discovery Site, one of 26 on the island, making it a great place for stargazing on clear nights. With its Milky Way status (meaning there’s minimal light pollution), you might even catch a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis (also known as the Northern Lights) if you’re really lucky! Due to the exposed nature of the beach, it’s not really a spot for swimming, and there’s no lifeguard cover, but it’s great for wave-watching on a stormy day from a safe distance - just make sure to dress up in warm clothes!
Laxey Beach
• Lifeguard cover: None
• Parking: There are several car parks in Laxey
• Accessibility: There is designated parking and ramped access to the beach
• Facilities: Café, shop
Situated 8 miles north of Douglas on the east coast, Laxey (taken from the word ‘laxa’ meaning ‘salmon’ in old Norse) has a gorgeous sand-and-pebble beach, sitting prettily in Laxey Bay from which you can see the fells of the Lake District on a clear day. With the beach getting sandier as the tide goes out, this is a lovely spot that has cliffs to the south and a harbour to the north. The River Laxey flows into the sea here, and the breakwaters are a much-favoured spot for pier fishing at high tide.
The beach is handily near the Manx Electric Railway station, making it great for a no-car day, while Laxey Promenade has a great café, a grassed picnic area, parking and toilets. The coastal path runs by the beach, and there are a number of fantastic nature reserves nearby. Laxey is also home to a historic water wheel. This beach has no lifeguard service, and dogs aren’t allowed on the beach between the 1st of May and the 30th of September.
Glen Wyllin Beach
• Lifeguard cover: None
• Parking: Car park by the beach
• Accessibility: A tarmaced path runs from the car park to the beach
• Facilities: Toilets, playground
Tucked away in a remote setting on the west coast of the Isle of Man, Glen Wyllin Beach is a must for nature lovers and those seeking a little wilderness. A mix of sand, shingle, and rock coastline that runs for miles, it’s a wonderful beach for walking and as it’s dog-friendly, your four-legged friend doesn’t have to miss out on seaside shenanigans.
While here, make sure to pay a visit to Cooildarry Nature Reserve, a lovely wooded valley that’s home to beautiful flowers, particularly primroses and bluebells in spring (dogs need to be kept on a lead). Spooyt Vane, one of the Isle of Man’s tallest waterfalls, is also nearby. Another registered Dark Sky Discovery Site, there’s minimal light pollution at night, making it a great place to come for a spot of stargazing. Head to the nearby hamlet of Kirk Michael, where you’ll find what’s considered to be the oldest pub on the island.
Castletown Beach
• Lifeguard cover: None
• Parking: There is parking along the beach
• Accessibility: There is a slipway, but the rocky nature of the beach makes it unsuitable for wheelchairs
• Facilities: Café, restaurant, shop
Castletown, the former Manx capital, is situated in a large horseshoe-shaped bay and built around the mouth of the Silverburn River. As such, it has its own beach with pebbly coves and stretches of soft sand. The beach is a firm favourite with windsurfers, surfers, and kitesurfers due to favourable conditions. It’s a lovely spot for an amble, keeping an eye out for sea glass and interesting finds amongst the rocks as you go.
The beach is pebbly at high tide, with the sandy section revealed as the tide goes out. Stretch your legs and take in some healthy lungfuls of sea air, or enjoy the short walk to the ancient town where you’ll find the well-preserved Castle Rushen with shops to explore and places to eat. Although dogs are allowed in certain areas, they aren’t allowed between Shore Road with the promenade and the eastern town boundary.
Dhoon Bay Beach
• Lifeguard cover: None
• Parking: Car park at the entrance to Dhoon Glen
• Accessibility: Accessed via a steep valley path that’s unsuitable for wheelchairs
• Facilities: None
This is one for the photographers and Instagrammers! Definitely one of the island’s most picturesque spots, Dhoon Glen, 5 miles south of Ramsey, is a vividly lush valley with cascading waterfalls, fast-flowing streams, and winding forest paths that lead down to a secluded pebble beach. Innen Vooar (or Big Girl) lies halfway down the valley and is one of the island's highest waterfalls, falling over 40 meters in two drops.
The path down to the beach is a fairly tricky one, so sturdy walking boots are a must as you traverse uneven footpaths and clamber over rocks. The good news is that the beach is dog-friendly, so your canine companion can come with you, and it is a lovely walk, whatever time of year, but the flora and colours are spectacular in spring and summer. Once on the beach itself, you’ll find a mixture of pebbles, rocks, and shingle that’s ideal for beachcombing, while the high cliffs offer seclusion, making it a lovely spot for a picnic overlooking the Irish Sea.
Feeling inspired? Pack your swimming costume, picnic blanket, and some local goodies and take a look at our gorgeous holiday cottages on the Isle of Man to start planning your seaside getaway today.
