Explore a stunning stretch of North Yorkshire coastline with multiple sandy and rocky beaches offering fossil hunting, rock pools, and coastal adventures for all ages.

Whitby Beaches encompass a diverse range of coastal experiences along the North Yorkshire shoreline, from the popular sandy stretches near Whitby village to the more secluded and adventurous bays further north. Visitors can discover a variety of beach types, including sandy beaches ideal for families with young children, rocky shores perfect for fossil hunting, and dramatic cliff-backed coves offering spectacular views. Key attractions include Sandsend Beach, featuring a freshwater beck where children can play and build dams, and Sandsend Ness with its impressive lunar landscape and thousands of fossils embedded in the shale banks. Runswick Bay offers a picturesque setting with excellent cliff views, while the stretch from Dunsley to Newholm Beck provides a quieter alternative with free parking and opportunities for exploration. The beaches cater to families with pushchairs, dogs, and children of all ages, with multiple car parks and easy access points. Visitors should note tidal conditions and currents, particularly around the Ness areas. Most beaches have no lifeguards, so supervision is essential. The combination of natural beauty, geological interest, and varied beach types makes Whitby's coastline suitable for everything from relaxed family days out to more adventurous coastal exploration.

Venue Details

What this place offers

Toilets

Public transport nearby

Accessible toilets

Free WiFi

Baby changing facilities

Food available

On-site parking

🐕Dog-friendly

Parking nearby

Pushchair friendly

☕ Food & Drink

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Sophie Eastwood

2 months ago

pretty good beach, we mistimed and nearly got stuck with high tide, so be aware. water is very cold. nice that it’s sandy. takes a while down relatively steep slopes to get to.

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satish kumar

2 months ago

Whitby Beach is absolutely stunning! 🏖️ I had such a wonderful time here, enjoying the beautiful scenery and relaxing atmosphere. It's truly a must-visit spot for anyone looking for a perfect beach day. Highly recommend! ☀️🌊

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Sonam Deki88

5 months ago

It is a beautiful beach with scenery view and you can go in boats, it's a nice tour with very experienced tour guide. There's a Indian restaurant nearby as well as alot of shops around. There's a toilet nearby, you don't need to worry about it.

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JITHIN RAJ

5 months ago

A nice beach side tourist destination with good vibes and views. Beach with moderate waves. There is an old style train in which people can take a ride. Small lake which connects with the sea is also there. Parking is little difficult to find as it is always crowded in Summer time. Lots of shops are also there both for dining and for shopping. Nearby areas are also nice to visit.

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Lee Bowen

6 months ago

Love Whitby, for me it feels how a seaside town should, lots of artisan shops, eateries, fish & chips shops, pubs, arcades, great walks ...& a great beach. We were here for just 3 days at the start of Jan, so it was bitter cold, but no bothered by that. The beach is rather big, great in the summer, good for walks in the winter....always come back

Reviews last updated: 6 October 2026