Our Coast

Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate's coast is a feast for your eyes, and a balm for your soul. Discover stunning sandy beaches and sea-carved chalk cliffs, activity havens and resort bays. Re-energising and relaxing, our coast is a giant, free-to-use, year-round, outdoor spa.

The shoreline has some impressive statistics:

• It represents 20% of the UK's and 12% of Europe's coastal chalk and it is the longest continuous stretch of coastal chalk in Britain.
• The whole of the Thanet coastline is designated as part of the ‘North East Kent European Marine Sites’ covering a number of international nature conservations designations.
• There is also around 250 hectares of intertidal chalk reef which is home to an array of shorelife, from the white bivalve ‘piddock’ shells – which entomb themselves for their life there – to seaweeds and vibrant rockpool life – perfect for exploring.

It's diverse too. At Joss Bay discover a surfers' paradise and learn to ride those waves. At rural Botany Bay wander beside creamy cliffs and towering chalk stacks. Other get-away-from-it-all spots include Stone Bay and Dumpton Gap, while West Bay, St. Mildred’s Bay and Minnis Bay offer beaches with a village-life feel.  For facilities galore head to the resort bays at Margate Mains Sands, Broadstairs' Viking Bay and Ramsgate Main Sands.  Discover more on our beaches and bays

Hook up with the Thanet Coast Project for an educational event, or hike or cycle the Viking Coastal Trail - 32 miles (51.4km) of sandy beaches, spectacular cliffs and pretty villages. Or do what people have done for generations - create your own, timeless, free fun: go rockpooling, fly a kite, build a sandcastle or go crabbing.

Or come for one of our exciting seaside events. Broadstairs Water Gala is a feast of sand-fringed fun - ranging from a teddy bears' picnic, to live music and fireworks – whilst the Ramsgate Festival offers family fun from nautical games to opera on the beach.

High-speed services mean the shores of Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate are less than two hours from London.

Discover more through learning at our Beaches and Bays

Discover wheelchair-accessible bays via the Beach Within Reach charity.

Planning to bring your group to our beaches? To help plan your visit and keep safe please take a look at this useful information