The Isle of Man is an island in the Irish Sea lying between Great Britain and Ireland.
This island offers stunning landscapes, unspoilt beaches on a very long and beautiful coastline making it a perfect holiday destination whoever you are. There is a wealth of history to explore and wonderful places to see from slow and sleepy tourism to action packed adventure!
Whether it's water sports, mountain climbing, biking, walking the coastal paths, watching the wildlife, quad biking or spending a day in the museums and art galleries you'll find exactly what you want to do.
The heritage of this island is varied and dates back more than 10 000 years allowing you to discover the ancient castles, forts and mounds, waterwheels and mines and follow in the steps of missionaries and the Vikings!
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Where would you like to go? Use our search bar to search across all our local listings, ideal for finding that nearest spot to visit:
Want some ideas on where to visit?
Every favourite location must be visited for the first time. Want some ideas, why not check out the below small selection of coastal locations, including beaches, activities, things to see and do, places to stay and eat:
- 25th May 2019-7th June 2019The Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) is run in a time-trial format on public roads closed to the public. The first Isle of Man TT race was held on Tuesday 28 May 1907 and has since been held most years.The TT week includes 9 races covering vehicles from traditional race bikes through to sidecars.Qualifying runs each evening from Saturday 25th May to Friday 31st May 2019 (Excluding Sunday 26th) Saturday 25th May – Friday 31st May 2019Qualifying runs each evening (Excluding Sunday 26th)Saturday 1st June 201912:00 Superbike TT Race (6 laps) 15:00 Sidecar TT Race 1 (3 laps)Monday 3rd June 201910:45 Supersport TT Race 1 (4 laps) 14:15 Superstock TT Race (4 laps)Wednesday 5th June 201910:45 Supersport TT Race 2 (4 laps) 13:45 Lightweight TT Race (4 laps) 16:25 Zero TT Race (1 lap)Friday 7th June 201910:30 Sidecar TT Race 2 (3 laps) 12:45 Senior TT Race (6 laps)* Please note that race dates are subject to change or cancellation by event organisers at short notice.
- The Calf of Man Nature Reserve and Bird Observatory is maintained by the Manx Museum and National Trust (MMNT), with Wardens resident on the Island from spring to late autumn. The traditional style 1870’s farmhouse incorporating the Observatory is also a hostel that can be pre-booked for up to eight guests. Visitors need to bring their own food supplies and a sleeping bag. The Calf of Man Island is accessed by small boat operators running return trips from Port St Mary and Port Erin. Sailings are subject to suitable weather conditions, tide and the availability of the boatmen. The Calf of Man image: cc-by-sa/2.0 – © David Dixon – geograph.org.uk/p/3891922
- The Calf of Man and its offshore rocks have four lighthouses. The original (1816/1818) two lights consisted of two circular stone towers with light keepers accommodation with the two towers, 560 feet apart, aligned to indicate a safe course past the dangerous Chicken Rock. The lights were discontinued in 1875 when the Chicken Rock light was established.
- Cregneash is a small village in the extreme south of the Isle of Man, about one mile from Port Erin. Much of the village forms a Living Museum dedicated to the preservation of the traditional Manx ways of life. Annual Manx festivals are held in Cregneash and it is home to a flock of the rare four-horned Loaghtan sheep.
- Port Erin beach is a sheltered sandy beach on the south of the island. You also have Spaldrick beach, a small pebble beach around the corner to the north of the main Port Erin beach. You have some excellent walks in this area; try the hill walk to Bradda Head with great views over Port Erin. There are fishing trips and excursions to the Calf of Man from the small harbour. Facilities at the beach include promenade, parking, shops and food. Video by Isle of Man by Drone
- The Douglas Head Lighthouse marks the entrance to Douglas Bay on the east coast of the Isle of Man. The lighthouse is 32 metres (105 ft) split between the tower at 20 metres (66 ft) and its base at 12 metres (39 ft). Lighthouse at Douglas Head image: cc-by-sa/2.0 – © Richard Hoare – geograph.org.uk/p/3110907
- Point of Ayre beach sits on the Isle of Man’s most northerly tip. The name comes from Old Norse “eyrr” that means a shingle beach and so this is is a large shingle and gravely beach. This remote beach provides a hopme to flowering heathland, nesting birds, diving gannets and the dramatic sea currents all combine to make the Point of Ayre a truly remarkable ever changing landscape. The seasonal Visitor Centre houses exhibits and displays portraying the diversity of the wildlife found at the Ayres and a short film illustrates some of the highlights of the surrounding area.
- Kirk Michael beach is a long stretch of sand/shingle under the cliffs. Popular location for coastal and beach walks. Facilities include car parks, shops, campsite and toilets.
- Gansey Bay is a sandy beach backed by rocks and a sea wall and when the tide is high most of the beach disappears and all you have is a few rocks. Limited parking on the road, slipway and pub/hotel at one end of the beach.
- Douglas Central beach is a sandy beach in the heart of the town. Facilities: parking, toilets, shops, cafe, restaurants. We have no dog information.
- The sheltered beach at Garwick Bay lies at the end of Garwick Glen, one of the prettiest glens on the Island. The valley at Baldrine has the River Gawne passing through it and joining the sea at the bay. The beach here is a mix of shingle and rocks backed by woodlands. Although the beach is not a bathing beach as such it is very popular with walkers and for fishing. Legend has it that during the 18th century the glen was a centre for smuggling and Dirk Haiterick’s Cave behind the beach is named after after a notorious local smuggler. The beach has no facilities although in Baldrine village you do have a pub with parking.
- Tynwald or more formally, the High Court of Tynwald or Tynwald Court is the legislature of the Isle of Man. It is claimed to be the oldest continuous parliamentary body in the world, consisting of two Houses: the directly elected House of Keys and the indirectly chosen Legislative Council.
- Castle Rushen is located in the Isle of Man’s historic capital, Castletown, in the south of the island, and is one of the best examples of a medieval castle in the British Isles. Today, it is run as a museum depicting the history of the Kings and Lords of Mann with most rooms open to the public during the season March to October.
