Chichester by Sea: Your Guide to the Best Local Beaches
Within 20 minutes of Chichester city centre you can be standing on some of the finest beaches on the south coast: Blue Flag bays, fossil-rich shorelines, world-class watersports and stunning sunsets over the Isle of Wight. Whether you're after a family day out, a solo walk with the dog, or something a little more adrenaline-fuelled, the beaches around Chichester have you covered.
Here's our guide to the best of them.
Most Well-known: West Wittering:
This Blue Flag beach, with its wide, golden sand regularly tops best beaches in England lists and draws visitors from London, Surrey and beyond on a hot summer weekend. Managed by the West Wittering Estate, it's remarkably well-maintained: lined with the quintessential multi-coloured beach huts, low sand dunes and dotted with shallow lagoons that appear at low tide perfect for younger children.
At low tide, the sea retreats, revealing a vast expanse of wet sand ideal for walking, sandcastles and beach ball games. A word of warning though: the tide comes in quickly, so don't wander too far out. Lifeguards operate during peak season, and the beach holds its Blue Flag status year after year thanks to its excellent water quality.
The Beach Café, run by the Estate, is just metres from the shore, good for breakfasts, lunches, takeaway ice creams and coffee, and dog-friendly too. For watersports, 2XS offers lessons and kit hire for surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing when conditions allow.
One practical note: parking is managed by the Estate, pre-booking is available and on hot days in peak season spaces sell out early. Booking in advance isnt just recommended, its essential!
Family Friendly Local: East Wittering
A 30-minute walk or short drive along the coast, East Wittering has its own distinct character, a vibrant village centre, a loyal crowd of regulars, and a beach that mixes sand and shingle, leaving it feeling pleasingly natural and unspoiled. It's less famous than its neighbour, which means it's often less crowded, and its year-round community of independent shops and cafés makes it a destination rather than just a beach stop.
The village itself is well worth a wander: two butchers, two greengrocers, two baker, a fishmonger and a collection of independent cafés and restaurants make self-catering visitors particularly happy. Local institution, Shore Watersports offers lessons and equipment hire and will lend beach cleaning gear to anyone so inclined. Over the years, Shore has removed over 10 tonnes of litter from the beach.
Dogs are welcome on East Wittering beach all year round without restriction. Parking is at Marine Drive (PO20 8HE) charges apply year-round.
Extra bonus: theres an ice cream van just at the end of Shore Road serving a wide range of flavours including dairy-free.
Sunsets, Surfing & The Beach
Bracklesham feels a little wilder than its neighbours: a wide, open stretch of sand and shingle that's particularly beloved by surfers, fossil hunters and anyone who appreciates a proper view. The strip of coastline between Bracklesham and Selsey is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and the beach is genuinely rich in Eocene-period fossils dating back 45 million years. It's not unusual to find shark teeth and shells if you look closely enough at low tide.
For watersports enthusiasts, Bracklesham is your mecca. And for food, The Beach is the destination, a beachfront restaurant and café-bar with views across to the Isle of Wight, fresh local ingredients, easy parking next door, and the kind of atmosphere that makes a long lunch feel entirely justified. Open from 9am daily.
A seaside sauna opened a few years ago, Rewild is open year-round and offers communal or private booking options. Wondering what the conditions are like at Bracklesham? Check out the live Web Cam.
Parking is available at the end of Bracklesham Lane. Dogs welcome all year.
Selsey: The End of the Road (In the Best Way)
Selsey sits at the southernmost tip of the Manhood Peninsula, a proper end-of-the-road kind of place, with a fishing heritage, a strong community spirit and beaches that feel truly local. East Beach is the main swimming spot, with parking nearby, and the water quality consistently achieves an excellent rating. Note that there's a seasonal dog-free zone at East Beach slipway between May and September, so plan accordingly if you're bringing four-legged company.
Selsey's seafood is the real draw, the local fishing fleet still brings in lobster and crab, and it ends up on menus around the area. Potters Fish on the High Street is a local institution; The Seal is reliable for a proper meal by the water.
The beach at Selsey Bill (the southernmost point) has strong tidal currents and swimming is not advised, best to stick to East Beach for a swim.
Chichester Harbour: Worth the drive
Strictly speaking, Chichester Harbour isn't a beach but it deserves a mention because it's one of the most beautiful stretches of water on the south coast. This Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a tidal harbour weaving between Chichester and the Hampshire border, criss-crossed by sailing boats, kayaks and paddleboards, and home to internationally important populations of wading birds.
The village of Itchenor is the classic harbour starting point: peaceful, pretty, and with the Quarterdeck Café at the Itchenor Shipyard for coffee with a view. Harbour boat trips run regularly from here throughout the summer (and you may have spotted the historic oysterboat Terror offering sailing trips through the Festival of Chichester this month).
It's ideal for walking, birdwatching, kayaking and sailing and if you haven't yet walked out to East Head from West Wittering beach, along the harbour's edge and through the dunes, put it on your list immediately.
Getting There
The beaches are all accessible by bus from Chichester. The 52 and 53 routes stops nearby the Harbour and loops around all three beaches. Parking is available but be sure to book in advance if youre braving West Wittering in the summer!
