Beaches

This blue flag beach is sandy with grasslands running alongside. There is a designated BBQ area and is popular for watersports. **There are no lifeguard services at this beach.

This sandy beach is very different from its more well known neighbour at Walton on the Naze. The beach has WWII defences and the well known Naze Tower nearby. It's a great place to hunt for fossils. Most common are sharks teeth which are easy to find - if you know what to look for! **There is no lifeguard service on this beach.

This is a small sheltered beach on Canvey Island. The sand os good for making sand castles and there is a play park and a grass area nearby.

Thorpe Bay is to the east of Southend pier. It is well known for its lovely beach huts. The beach is popular with families and is a mixture of sand and shingle. It is known as a good destination for wind surfing, sailing and kayaking. The town of Thorpe Bay nearly has shops and restaurants.

You'll find Three Shells next to the longest pier in the world, the cliff lift, amusements, arcades and the famous Adventure Island. It is a small beach area with a lagoon, making it a favourite with families as swimming is safe and not dependent on tides. There is a play area for children and a beach shower. You can use the Three Shells cafe or visit one of the many kiosks and cafes in the area.

This beautiful sandy beach is popular with local families and holiday makers. Not only will you find the second longest pier in the world (Southend is the longest!) but you'll find amusements and water sports such as kite surfing and sailing. It is perfect for building sand castles and has a seasonal lifeguard service. It is a short walk into Walton, the nearest town, which has shops and cafes.

West Mersea beach is a quiet beach where the fun can be had crabbing or digging in the sand and shingle. There are beautiful beach huts and the beach overlooks the Blackwater estuary. **There are no lifeguard services at this beach.

A short walk from the main beach at Southend is Westcliff Bay. This sand and shingle beach is popular with families and has the famous Rossi Ice Cream Emporium and the Archway cafes nearby.

A short walk from the main beach at Southend is Westcliff Bay. This beach is sand and shingle and has cafes and restaurants nearby. Near the beach is the famous Rossi Ice Cream Emporium.