Find out more about the beautiful beaches at Whitby, Yorkshire...
Where to go, what to do... the 'Unofficial Guide' tells you more...
One of the wonderful attractions of visiting Whitby is the expansive beach on the west side of town - perfect for an afternoon of family fun and sun, or a romantic sunset stroll...
This is the main beach in Whitby - very long (you can walk all the way to Sandsend at low tide), and lovely, sandy and flat.
It is backed by tall cliffs, and the West Pier - you get great views out to sea, and towards Sandsend.
This is a great place for a typical bucket and spade seaside trip, with (in season):
donkey rides
beach huts (west end of beach)
refreshments
cliff lift
deck chair hire
lifeguard and first aid
pier close by
If you visit on a sunny summer afternoon you will likely see the beach thronged with happy families - it's much quieter early mornings, evenings and out of season.
You can access the beach by:
a slipway close to the West Pier
a path down from the West Cliff (not too far from the West Cliff car parks, but quite steep, and feels quite a long way back uphill - find it close to the Whitby Spa)
a cliff lift from the West Cliff (Summer season only - times vary - small charge payable) Find this close to the Whitby Spa.
We prefer the beach out of season, or when it is quieter - on our last holiday we enjoyed a lovely quiet stroll along the beach as the sun was setting over Sandsend - spectacular!
Dogs
Dogs are banned on Whitby beach:
between 1 May - 30 September every year
in an area between:
West Pier
the east side of the beach steps at the western end of the beach huts
...only!
Look out for signs on the beach for more information.
Booking Beach Chalets
Contact Scarborough Borough Council for terms of booking, prices and the booking form.
Find Whitby West Beach on the west side of town, accessed from adjacent to the West Pier, or from the West Cliff.
This map is interactive.
Just use the + and - buttons in the top left corner of the map to zoom in and out.
Use the arrows to move about the area.
There is also another, smaller, beach in Whitby...
Whitby Beaches - Tate Hill Beach
This is just a small beach, more central to town, and right within the harbour, looking out into the river/harbour estuary, rather than the open sea.
The beach is sandy and pleasant with quieter, calmer waters than the main beach - which makes it safer for small children to play and bathe.
The beach tends to be a little quieter than the main beach, but as it is so small it doesn't take much to make it feel quite busy.
You can park up by the Abbey and walk down the 199 steps to access the beach, which is just near to the East Pier....
...or access the beach through town (walking only)
On the eastern side of the East Pier there are rock pools to explore - but do take care - this area can be very dangerous in rough seas, and/or when the tide is coming in.
Dogs are allowed on this beach.
Whitby Beaches - Tate Hill Beach on the Map
Find Whitby Tate Hill Beach on the east side of town, accessed from adjacent to the East Pier, off Church Street/Tate Hill.
This map is interactive.
Just use the + and - buttons in the top left corner of the map to zoom in and out.
Use the arrows to move about the area.
The Whitby beaches are a great place to enjoy all the fun of the seaside:
the traditional, long, sandy West Beach
the small, sandy, town beach: Tate Hill Beach
Hope you enjoy your trip to the Whitby beaches - why not visit both?