Home UK Beach Guide South East Coast Kent Beaches

Kent Beaches

Kent Beaches

Planning a trip to the Kent Coast? Use our coastal holiday guide to discover beautiful Kent beaches.

Find your favourite Kent Beaches

Explore 350 miles of coastline with popular seaside destinations, ideal for days out, coastal walks and water sports. Kent seaside towns, such as Broadstairs, Margate and Whitstable, offer a charming blend of picturesque coastal scenery and vibrant local culture. Stop off at a beach for the day or walk or cycle the Viking Coastal Trail.

The Kent coastline has lots to offer. All along the coast there are lovely sandy beaches, places stop for a picnic, have a swim and enjoy the natural coastal landcapes and wildlife. Choose from traditional seaside towns, historical Rye to Sandy Camber Sands and the unique landscape of Dungeness beach.

The Kent section of the England Coast Path stretches all the way from Camber Sands in the south to Ramsgate in the north. It is 66 miles long in total and a wonderful way to enjoy the coast. 

Kent Beach Days

Relax on the sandy Blue Flag beaches of Botany Bay, Margate Main Sands, St Mildred’s Bay, and Sunny Sands in Folkestone. Visit quieter beaches like Seasalter or Reculver for a tranquil beach experience away from crowds. Explore rock pools and dramatic chalk stacks at beaches like Botany Bay when the tide is out.

Abbot’s Cliff

Abbot’s Cliff, located between Folkestone and Dover, is a secluded shingle beach that offers plenty of quiet spots to relax.

Beresford Gap

Beresford Gap in Birchington on Sea is a small beach along the promenade, perfect for a peaceful stroll or a quick dip in the sea.

Botany Bay

Botany Bay in Birchington on Sea is an award-winning sandy bay that’s ideal for swimming and offers picturesque views.

Deal Beach

Deal Beach is a serene seaside resort on the Kent Coast that boasts a lovely seafront promenade, making it an ideal place to take a leisurely walk.

Dover Harbour Beach

Dover Harbour Beach is a sheltered shingle beach situated within the harbour walls, easily accessible and perfect for a tranquil day out.

Dungeness Beach

Dungeness Beach, located on the tip of the Kent Coast and overlooked by a massive power station, is a must-visit destination for its unique and rugged charm.

Dumpton Gap

Dumpton Gap, one of Broadstairs’ charming bays, is a great spot to relax and enjoy the stunning South East Coast views.

Dymchurch Beach

Dymchurch Beach, just north of St Mary’s Bay, is a popular sandy beach that’s perfect for a day out with family and friends.

Epple Bay

Epple Bay in Birchington follows the concrete sea defence below the cliffs and is a dog-friendly beach that’s great for a long walk.

East Cliff Sands

East Cliff Sands Beach in Kent is a popular sandy beach that’s perfect for a family day out with plenty of activities and amenities.

Folkestone Harbour Beach

Folkestone Harbour Beach is a dog-friendly beach with restrictions during peak season, offering plenty of opportunities for a refreshing dip in the sea.

Greatstone Beach

Greatstone Beach is a large, flat, soft sandy beach that stretches for around two miles from Dungeness and is ideal for a peaceful day out.

Grenham Bay

Grenham Bay sits at the base of the chalk cliffs and features a wide concrete sea defense, providing stunning views and a relaxing atmosphere.

Harty Ferry

Harty Ferry, a mile north-east of Faversham, is a serene spot frequented by walkers, boaters, and bird watchers.

Herne Bay Beach

Herne Bay Beach, an award-winning family seaside destination on the Kent coast, boasts an array of fun-filled activities.

Herne Bay East Beach

East Beach in Herne Bay stretches towards Reculver, providing scenic views of the Neptune’s Arm and the cliffs.

Hythe Beach

Hythe Beach, a popular pebble beach on the Kent coast, offers breathtaking views of the English Channel.

Joss Bay

Award-winning Joss Bay, a sandy beach backed by cliffs in Broadstairs, is the perfect spot for learning to surf.

Kingsdown Beach

Kingsdown Beach, a shingle beach just south of Deal, provides an ideal escape for beachgoers.

Kingsgate Bay

Situated in Broadstairs, Kingsgate Bay is a beautiful sandy beach popular among families and dog walkers.

Leysdown Beach

Leysdown Beach, a traditional seaside resort on the Isle of Sheppey, offers panoramic views of the Thames estuary.

Littlestone Beach

Littlestone-on-Sea is a small coastal village close to New Romney between Greatstone and St Mary’s Bay, with a tranquil shingle beach.

Lower Leas Coastal Park

Lower Leas Coastal Park, a large Green Flag award-winning park between Folkestone and Sandgate, offers plenty of recreational activities.

Louisa Bay

Charming Louisa Bay lies just past the southern headland of Viking Bay in Broadstairs, providing a peaceful escape from the crowds.

Lydd Beach

Lydd on Sea Beach, part of the Dungeness National Nature Reserve, is a bird watcher’s haven.

Margate Main Sands

Margate Main Sands is a bustling sandy beach, a must-visit destination for any Kent seaside trip. With a range of attractions and facilities, this beach is perfect for a fun family day out.

Minnis Bay

Minnis Bay is a picturesque sandy beach with sweeping views of the Kent coast. From family-friendly activities to coastal walks, there is plenty to do at this charming seaside destination.

Minster Leas Beach

Award-winning Minster Leas Beach in Sheerness, is sandy, family friendly and great for a summers day out.

Palm Bay

Palm Bay is a lovely sandy beach with a bustling seafront cafe, perfect for a relaxing day by the seaside. This popular beach is a must-visit for anyone looking for a peaceful retreat on the Kent coast.

Pegwell Bay

Pegwell Bay is a unique bay with a mixture of sand and mudflats, surrounded by dramatic sea cliffs. A popular destination for birdwatchers, this secluded beach is a great place to escape the crowds and enjoy the natural beauty of the Kent coast.

Pirate Springs

Pirate Springs is a shingle beach located at the southern end of St Marys Bay. A favourite with locals and visitors alike, this charming beach offers stunning views and a peaceful atmosphere.

Reculver Beach

Reculver Beach is a long stretch of sand and shingle beach located in the Reculver Country Park. With ample space to relax and explore.

Ramsgate Main Sands

Ramsgate Main Sands is a Blue Flag award-winning beach and a popular destination for visitors to the Kent coast. With its picturesque location and range of facilities, this sandy beach is perfect for a fun family day out.

Sandwich Bay

Sandwich Bay is a salt marsh backed beach that’s popular with visitors and locals alike and lies between Ramsgate and Deal.

St Margaret’s Bay

St Margaret’s Bay is a small shingle beach situated near Dover on the Kent coast, boasting beautiful views of the English Channel.

Seasalter

Seasalter is an unspoiled pebble beach located on the Kent coast between Whitstable and Faversham, offering visitors a peaceful getaway.

Shakespeare Beach

Shakespeare Beach, in Dover, is a long shingle beach situated in a bay near Shakespeare Cliff, providing scenic views of the chalk cliffs.

Shellness Beach

Shellness Beach, located on the eastern side of Sheerness, is a shingle beach that’s a favourite with visitors and locals alike.

Sheerness Beach

Sheerness Beach is an award-winning family-friendly beach situated on the Kent coast that’s perfect for a day out.

St Mildred’s Bay

St Mildred’s Bay is a small sandy bay in Kent that offers plenty of facilities along the beachfront, making it a popular destination for a day out.

Samphire Hoe

Samphire Hoe, located between Dover and Folkestone, is a coastal park that offers visitors a chance to explore the surrounding cliffs and enjoy scenic views.

Stone Bay

Stone Bay, just south of Joss Bay, is a secluded sandy beach accessible by foot from either of two sets of steps.

Sunny Sands Beach

Sunny Sands Beach, situated at the eastern end of the Stade, is a hugely popular sandy beach that’s perfect for sunbathing and swimming.

Sandgate Beach

Sandgate Beach, located between Hythe and Folkestone, is a quiet shingle beach with rows of charming cottages along the shoreline.

St Mary’s Bay

St Mary’s Bay, situated just south of Dymchurch, is a popular sandy beach with wooden groynes running along the seafront.

Tankerton Beach

Tankerton Beach, located just east of Whitstable, is a shingle beach with a grass bank that slopes down to the shoreline.

Viking Bay

Viking Bay, situated in Broadstairs, is a horseshoe-shaped sandy beach that’s perfect for sunbathing and swimming, with a lively atmosphere during the summer months.

Walpole Bay

Walpole Bay, situated in Margate, is a sandy beach backed by Queens Promenade and Oval Gardens, providing visitors with scenic views of the surrounding area.

Warren Beach

Warren Beach is a quiet sandy beach with rock pools, making it ideal for swimming and exploring, and is situated on the Kent coast.

Westbrook Bay

Westbrook Bay, located just along from Margate, is an award-winning sandy beach with colourful beach huts lining the shoreline.

West Bay Beach

West Bay Beach, situated close to Westgate-on-Sea, is a popular summer destination that’s perfect for a family day out.

Whitstable Beach Front

Whitstable, one of the Kent seaside towns that draws visitors from far and wide. The beach front is a charming spot, close to the harbour and High Street in Whitstable.

Whitstable West Beach

Whitstable West Beach is a popular seaside destination that’s famous for its oysters, which are celebrated every year at the town’s Oyster Festival.

The Delights of The Kent Coast

Kent’s coastline is renowned for the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, striking chalk cliff formations that are a symbol of England. The county also features unique landscapes like the shingle beach at Dungeness and the coastal wetlands of Pegwell Bay, popular for birdwatching.

The Kent coast offers a fantastic array of natural landscapes, historic sites, cultural attractions, outdoor pursuits, and culinary delights for an enjoyable coastal holiday experience.

Food and Drink

Indulge in fresh seafood like oysters in Whitstable or at Michelin-starred restaurants like The Sportsman in Seasalter.  Enjoy local produce at farmers markets, food festivals like the Whitstable Oyster Festival, or seaside fish & chip shops.

Outdoor Activities

Go kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding or try other watersports along the coast.

Play a round at one of Kent’s acclaimed coastal golf courses like Royal St George’s or Walmer & Kingsdown. – Explore the wetlands and nature reserves of the Isle of Sheppey for birdwatching.

What’s On

Coastal events in Kent for your diary

Annual events taking place for 2024.

  • Food Festivals
  • Sailing
  • Sporting Events
read more

Common Questions

Kent boasts a number of beaches and bays where various water activities are permitted, including fishing, jet skiing, sailing, speed boating, and water skiing. Each beach offers unique facilities and designated areas for specific water sports. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, it’s essential to follow the Coastal Codes and respect any local regulations. Margate and Ramsgate have have launching facilities at the harbour, and there are designated area for launching boats at the following beaches;

Hike or cycle portions of the Saxon Shore Way or Kent Downs Way trails, passing through Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, nature reserves, vineyards, and historic sites. Go for a stroll along the beach promenades of seaside towns like Whitstable, Margate, Broadstairs, and Folkestone.

Walk the Kent section of the England Coast Path, the 6-mile-long Contra Trail. or Isle of Thanet Trail (32 miles) or the Viking coastal path.

Take a scenic walk along the White Cliffs of Dover or explore the trails around Samphire Hoe nature reserve.

Dover Castle, Deal Castle, Walmer Castle are just a few of the local historical sites.

Play a round of golf with a sea view

For a game of golf on the coast head to Kent.

Play Golf on the Kent Coast

Play a round of golf with a sea view.

Whitstable Seasalter Golf Club Ltd

NEAREST BEACH
Seasalter Beach

Westgate & Birchington Golf Club

NEAREST BEACH
West Bay Beach

North Foreland Golf Club

NEAREST BEACH
Joss Bay

Stonelees Golf Centre

NEAREST BEACH
Pegwell Bay



Top Kent Beaches

If you’re looking for a seaside getaway, the Kent coast offers an impressive selection of places to stay, ranging from charming bed and breakfasts to luxurious coastal hotels. Sandy beaches, traditional seaside towns and family attractions. Walk the coastal path or find family friendly Blue Flag beaches. There are beaches in Kent which are safe for swimming as well as dog friendly beaches for long walks with our four legged friends.

Blue Flag

Family Friendly award winning beaches

Dog friendly

For long walks with our four legged friends.

What’s On

Find out What’s On – from festivals to cultural events along the coast

Explore other areas near Kent

Explore the miles of UK coastline with popular seaside destinations, coastal walks and water sports. Find more beaches in the southeast coast of England, covering the counties of East Sussex, West Sussex, Isle of Wight, Hampshire and Hayling Island. Stop off at a beach for the day or walk or cycle the coastal trails.

uk beach days

UK Beach Guide

Go to the Beach Guide

Go to another region and explore

Choose a Region