Cowes is an award winning mainly shingle beach, in spite of this it is popular with families, there are toilets and plenty of cafes, pubs, restaurants and shops nearby. Since 1997 it has flown the Seaside Award flag and displays a Water Quality award. This beach provides a grandstand view of the massive cruise liners and tankers negotiating the sand banks to enter or leave Southampton Water, and you can watch the car ferries and high speed Red Jet entering and leaving Cowes.

During Cowes Week you can watch hundreds of multicoloured yachts as they compete in various races. There is a very pleasant walk along the esplanade to the small resort of Gurnard, which has been awarded Quality Coast status. The sand and shingle beach also flies the Seaside Award flag and now displays a Water Quality award. This beach is ideal for the family and dinghy sailing and wind surfing are very popular. There are toilets, café and pub nearby.