Boasting 70 miles of coast path, attractions aplenty, and some of the best seafood in the country, it's little wonder this little island attracts some 2.6 million visitors every year. And these days, more and more people are choosing to bring their dog on holiday with them.

If you're planning a holiday with your pup in tow, check out our guide to the best dog-friendly beaches on the Isle of Wight. From surfing havens with epic waves to sheltered bays with excellent rock pooling, there’s something for everyone…

St Helens Beach, St Helens

Lifeguard cover: No

Car parking: There is a car park behind the beach

Facilities: Toilets, café

Dog-friendly: Yes

A gently curved sandy beach backed by dunes and a promenade, St Helens Duver is the perfect spot for a family beach day with the pup in tow. The waters here are shallow, and the limestone ledges are great for rock pooling – keep your eyes peeled for sea anemones, crabs, and brittle stars.

The surrounding area is home to all sorts of wildlife including a flock of Hebridean sheep and red squirrels. Head to the Duver (a dune-like system) with your binoculars and you could spot common whitethroat, wheatear, chiffchaff and linnet.

Fill up after at Baywatch on the Beach for lunch - the fish tacos and steak burgers are popular with locals and visitors alike.

Compton Bay, Freshwater

Lifeguard cover: No

Car parking: Three car parks at Brook, Hanover, and Compton Chine

Facilities: Toilets, seasonal refreshment van

Dog-friendly: Dogs are allowed between Hanover Point and Brook Chine year-round. Dogs are not allowed on the beach west of Compton Bay car park between the 15th of May and the 15th of September.

A quintessential surfing beach like you might find in California or Cornwall, Compton boasts 2 miles of beach with golden sands, gnarly waves, and dramatic colourful sandstone cliffs.

Not keen on surfing? Head for a dog walk instead. The area features one of the largest areas of open downlands, which, come spring, is carpeted in wildflowers and frequented by butterflies. It's also rich in fossils and you can book a tour to see dinosaur footprints.

If you're visiting without a dog, or out of season, you might enjoy a visit to Freshwater Bay, which is just 2.5 miles up the coast. Or, alternatively, head a little further to the most westerly tip of the Island and you'll find Alum Bay framed by the dramatic chalk stacks known as The Needles. You can walk down or get the chairlift from The Needles Landmark Attraction. Dogs are permitted, but must be always kept on a lead.

Bembridge Beach, Bembridge

Lifeguard cover: No

Car parking: Parking is available next to the lifeboat station

Facilities: Public toilets, shop, café

Dog-friendly: Yes

A pebbly beach at high tide, if you time it right with low tide, a decent stretch of sand is revealed at Bembridge Beach. The waters here are popular with fans of watersports, most notably sailing, with several local clubs in Bembridge.

It's also a scenic spot for a coastal walk, enjoying views across to Portsmouth, the south coast of England, and St Helen's Fort built in 1880. You also can't miss the lifeboat station, perched on the end of the 200m long pier.

Harbour View Café is tucked into the edge of the harbour and the perfect pitstop for a cuppa, or head to The Pilot Boat Inn for something stronger.  

If you like beaches with historic views, you should head to Colwell Bay in Freshwater. From here you can enjoy views across the Solent including Hurst Castle and along the Island coast you'll spot the former Victorian gun tower of Fort Albert. The zone from the right of the slipway at Colwell Chine all the way to Brambles Chine is dog-friendly all year round.

Steephill Cove, Ventnor

Lifeguard cover: No

Car parking: Parking at the top of the hill or in Ventnor where you can walk along to the beach via the coast path

Facilities: Public toilets, deckchair hire, seasonal café 

Dog-friendly: Dogs on leads are welcome at Steephill Cove throughout the year, and can run free after 6pm

Accessible only on foot or by boat, Steephill Cove is well worth the effort. Framed with nautical striped beach huts and idyllic fisherman’s cottages, the smattering of buildings in the cove adds to its charm.

Children and cold-water swimmers alike will enjoy exploring the clear waters, while the plentiful rock pools will keep little beach explorers busy. Bigger explorers will appreciate the beachside kayak hire.

If hunger strikes in the summer months, head for the rear of the cove where you'll find The Beach Shack serving homemade food with a view. Or further up, you'll find The Crab Shed - a crab pasty is a must.

Yaverland Beach, Sandown

Lifeguard cover: No

Car parking: Large car park or walk from Sandown along the promenade

Facilities: Toilets, shop, café, promenade

Dog-friendly: Dogs are allowed between the sailing club and Culver Down head year-round. Dogs are not allowed on the rest of the beach from the 1st of May to the 30th of September

Nestled beneath the chalky cliffs of Culver, Yaverland is a stunning beach popular with dog walkers, dinosaur enthusiasts, and watersports fans. 

Head here for low tide when there is a wide, flat expanse of sand; at high tide, just a slither remains. Look out to sea and you could see people surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing or even out in their Thundercats. There is a safe bathing area for keen swimming too. It’s worth noting that the far end of the beach has been an unofficial naturist beach for several decades.

History buffs will love the area by Culver Down, renowned for the fossil remains that can still be found. Book a guided fossil walk at Dinosaur Isle and learn more about the dinosaurs that roamed the Island over 125 million years ago.

It's also only 3.5 miles down the coast to Shanklin Chine, the Island's famous historic gorge featuring dramatic waterfalls and a picturesque nature trail. Alternatively, if you fancy a bit of a coastal hike, it's only a couple of miles to Whitecliff Bay. This private beach is part of a holiday park complex, but due to its difficult access, it's one of the quietest spots on the Island.

Priory Bay, Seaview

Lifeguard cover: No

Car parking: Parking at St Helens or Pier Road Seaview

Facilities: None  

Dog-friendly: Yes

If you like your beaches wild and untamed, head to Priory Beach - a small privately owned bay boasting golden sands and backed by 7.5 acres of National Trust woodland.

Around half a mile in length, there is plenty to explore here. The bay enjoys views across the Solent to Selsey Bill and, in the summer, the waters are frequently dotted with yachts enjoying the calm waters.

The bay is shallow, sloping slightly down to a sandbar called Gull Bank and at low tide this creates a shallow lake of water not deep enough to swim but perfect for paddling. Pack a flask and a picnic (the nearest facilities are in Seaview) and enjoy a wonderfully relaxed day at the beach.

If exploring the Isle of Wight with your dog sounds like your kind of holiday, check out our gorgeous collection of dog-friendly cottages on the island.