Name:

Poole Harbour and Sandbanks Beach

Beach description:

Poole Harbour and Sandbanks Beach can be found at Poole, Dorset. This little sandbank is reputed to be the 4th most expensive place to live on the planet, with some properties fetching upwards of £10 million! The beach features a shallow bay, and is considered by some to be the best beach in the UK. It has been awarded several blue flags for its water quality and cleanliness. A great spot for learners or those with a bit of a fear of the deep stuff, you can safely walk almost 200m out! Conditions are pretty flat with a bit of chop. Poole Harbour and Sandbanks Beach will work on any direction from SSW, clockwise to NNW.

Beach Access

From Poole take the B3369 Sandbanks Road around Poole Harbour. This becomes Shore Road. From Bournemouth take the A35 road to the Fitzharris roundabout at Westbourne, and then The Avenue (B6035) past Branksome Chine and through Canford Cliffs to Sandbanks.

Code of Conduct

Annual Kite Surfing Permit required from Poole Harbour Commissioners as of 2014. There are frequent spot checks, so make sure you get sorted to avoid getting your session cut short.

Wind Direction

North, South-West, West, North-West

Water Type

This is a really shallow beach where you can safely walk 200 m out and still not be out of your depth. This coupled with flat water/chop makes this an excellent spot for freestyle/wakestyle kitesurfing. You can ride at any state of tide, just be careful of the road, launching and landing at high tide.

Hazards

The pavement and road that run adjacent to the beach. Launch and land at least two kite line lengths from the pavement and road. Kiters, who think it won't happen to them, get dragged across the road in front of traffic every year. Stay away from the ferries! The beach can get very busy, rig away from other beach goers and get someone to help you launch / land.