Whitley Bay South Beach

Whitley Bay South Beach The charming town of Whitley Bay features a truly old fashioned style sea front with it's elderly dome, family fairground sites, infant paddling pools and friendly boating lakes: it's not a thrill a minute but it's wholesome and simple and perfect for youngsters if not for teens. The sand and rock beach to the north of the parade is long and lovely and provided in nice proportions to support hardcore sand sculpting and castling. Those with the urge to ramble can walk across the scenic causeway to St Mary's Island and visit the gleaming white lighthouse!

The island is now a visitor centre and nature reserve and you can climb to the top of the decommissioned lighthouse for some spectacular views of the coastline or search the rock pools below for the prolific crabs and mini sea life. So be sure to take a net and bucket along or you'll up doing in your hat again to stop the pleading. We've all been there!

Dangerous swimming areas are well marked; for the safest and all round best bathing head due south through the town to Cullercoats Bay, a sandier cove between stone piers, where the waves are considered very safe indeed. Lifeguard cover is May to September with an old Victorian lifeboat house that's worth having a look at. Sea kayaking and surfing are popular, with local sources for equipment apparently signposted.

A modest mini golf course is apparently nearby according to feedback so that's worth looking out for! The number is for the Whitley Bay TIC but here also is the one for the lighthouse visitor centre: 0191 2008650. Aren't we helpful?