Whitecliff Bay is located on the south coast of England, on the Isle of Wight and close southward of the island's easternmost point. It is a bay with high cliffs and a popular beach off which it is possible to anchor.

The bay makes a tolerable anchorage in offshore winds from southwest round through west to northwest. However, akin to most of the island's south-eastern bays, it is subject to an uncomfortable roll that tends to wrap around the headland and then enters the bay. Daylight access is straightforward at any stage of the tide as there are no outlying dangers but it is important to stand well off the ledges at the foot of its cliffs at either end.

Keep a sharp eye out for prolific lobster pots in and around the shoreline.

Keyfacts for Whitecliff Bay

Position and approaches

Haven position

50° 40.169' N, 001° 5.556' W

This is in the middle of the bay on the two metre contour.

What is the initial fix?

This is set in deep water about ½ miles out from the centre of the bay. From here, a course of about 290° T leads into the centre of the bay.

What are the key points of the approach?

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What's the story here?

Whitecliff Bay is located just north of Culver Cliff, about a mile southwest of Foreland, the easternmost point of the Isle of Wight, and two miles southwest of Bembridge. It is a popular, privately owned beach with public access. The beach comprises a mix of sand and shingle and is overlooked by a prominent 75-metre-high chalky cliff. Two seasonal cafes service the shoreline, and two holiday parks, tucked back onto the high ground above the beach, are accessed via steeply sloping concrete tracks.




Whitecliff Bay nearly dries out completely, and its gradually shoaling nature offers limited depths for anchorage. This pushes the anchoring area approximately 350 metres from the shore, where it may be affected by currents wrapping around Culver Cliff.



However, its 50 to 75-metre high cliffs provide reasonable shelter from moderate, prevalent offshore winds, tucked away from the tidal stream. This said, shallow-draught vessels will make the best of it.

How to get in?

The South Around the Isle Of Wight provides an east-west tidal counter and navigational guidance for the south side of the island.




The prominent Yarmouth monument on Culver Down and the bright, chalky Culver Cliff, fronted by Whitecliff and the holiday parks above, all together create unmistakable seamarks for the bay from every direction.




The initial fix is set in deep water about a ½ mile out from the centre of the bay. From here, steer into the centre of the bay on a course of about 290° T whilst maintaining a watch for strong tidal cross-sets that occur here.



Stay well away from the southern Culver Cliff at the end of the bay as the dangerous Whitecliff Ledge steps out from its foot. It extends nearly 350 metres from the base of Culver Cliff; the outer part dries at low tide.




The bay is about 700 metres long and lies southwest-to-northwest. It terminates on its northern side at Black Rock Ledge, which should also be given a wide berth.




Charts of the bay cannot be entirely relied upon, as a large rock fall has altered the bottom contours in the recent past. It is best to sound around carefully before selecting a position with sufficient draft to anchor. The helms should keep a sharp eye out for swimmers off the beach. Holding is moderately good in a mixture of sand and shell with rock.




Land by tender on the beach away from its rocky extremities. The beach very gradually shoals to the shore.

Why visit here?

Whitecliff Bay acquires its name from its chalky headland that rises to over a hundred metres in height and separates Whitecliff Bay to the north from Sandown Bay to the south. The chalk is part of a ridge of steeply dipping chalk strata that extends through the Isle of Wight, from The Needles in the west to the toe of Culver Cliff in the east.




It is of major geological interest, being part of the Whitecliff Bay and Bembridge Ledges Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It displays a classic sequence of fossil-bearing Eocene beds of soft sands and clays, separated by an unconformity from the underlying Cretaceous Chalk Formation, forming the headland of Culver Down to its south. In Western Europe, Whitecliff Bay has the most extensive sequence of Palaeogene, Lower Tertiary, sediments, Eocene and Oligocene.




Whitecliff Bay holds historical significance as a landing site during the French invasion of the Isle of Wight in July 1545. This event was part of the broader Italian War of 1542–1546, and it represented the final major French attempt to seize the island. Under the command of Admiral Claude d'Annebault, a substantial French fleet, comprising approximately 235 vessels and carrying an estimated 30,000 soldiers, anchored off the Isle of Wight.




The landings at Whitecliff Bay were intended to facilitate a rapid advance across Bembridge Down towards Sandown Castle, which was then in the process of construction. Simultaneously, another landing at Bonchurch aimed to establish a second front, with the intention of linking up with forces advancing from Sandown. Further landings occurred at St. Helens and Nettlestone, indicating a multi-pronged assault designed to swiftly secure strategic high ground. However, the English defenders, having anticipated the French movements, effectively countered these incursions, leading to intense skirmishes and the eventual repulsion of the French forces.




While historical accounts differ regarding specific details, the French suffered considerable losses and ultimately failed to achieve their strategic objectives. Despite the French failure on land, the broader conflict included the naval Battle of the Solent (July 19–20), during which Henry VIII's flagship, the Mary Rose, tragically sank. Nevertheless, the invasion is generally regarded as an English victory, marking a successful defense against a formidable French force.




For the vast majority of people, the bay's prime interest lies in its two hundred metre deep sand and shingle beach. The beach is set back 300 metres from the chalk headland of Culver Cliff and is backed by two holiday parks, so it can get quite popular on a sunny summer weekend. It is privately owned by one of the holiday parks, but this does not affect access. The holiday parks bring with them the convenience of their beachside cafes, with restaurants, takeaways, and provisioning facilities above. Still, alas, no toilets or dogs are allowed on the beach.




From a boating point of view, Whitecliff Bay is not an ideal anchorage. Despite the protective high ground, which is lovely to come in under, it is subject to a roll that wraps around Culver Cliff. This makes it an unlikely place to have a good night's sleep, but it is a good day anchorage. What it has to offer is one of the island's most delightful beaches, which makes it ideal for a family.




The bay's relatively shallow waters make it ideal for swimming or splashing about with children. It is also sheltered from the prevailing winds, which makes it snug and facilitates a dinghy landing of buckets, spades, etc. The ledges under the cliffs at either end also offer a wonderful selection of rock pools for children to nose about at low water.

What facilities are available?

There are two shops in the bay immediately ashore. A steep climb above the bay leads to unexpectedly good basic provisioning capabilities in the shops servicing the caravan parks. Restaurants, takeaways and bars can be found in the grounds of the park. The Vectis No.10 bus calls at the parks servicing Ryde, Sandown and Bembridge.

Any security concerns?

Never an issue known to have occurred to a vessel anchored in Whitecliff Bay.

With thanks to:

Michael Harpur SY Whistler