Whitby Sands Beach (North Yorkshire)

Information
Whitby Sands beach is a sandy beach with some rocks situated to the west of the town and the beach is also known as West Cliff Beach.
The River Esk splits through Whitby and a unique swing bridge connects the West and East sides of the town. On the east, you have a small sandy beach below the Abbey and this is protected by the outer harbour walls.
To the East, you’ve some specialist shopping, cafe, pubs and the Cook Museum. To reach the abbey the only way up is via the 199 steps (Caedmon’s Trod). The West of the town has Theatre, cinema, Whitby Sands beach, Whitby Museum, Lifeboat Museum, parks, a boating lake and mini golf and high on the cliff the Captain Cook Monument and Whitby whale bones.
You will not be short of facilities, include car parks, toilets, cafes/restaurants/pubs and beach huts.
Whitby Sands Beach is a Blue Flag Beach and has been awarded a regional Seaside Award.
Dogs not allowed at the South end of the beach.
Why not check other beaches nearby as we have no beaches around Whitby, 22 beaches in North Yorkshire, or check our list of North Yorkshire Dog Friendly Beaches.
Beach Water Quality
Water samples are taken at regular intervals during the bathing season and at the end of the season the water quality is classified as:
- Excellent: the highest classification meaning the water is cleanest
- Good: generally good water quality
- Sufficient: meets minimum standards
- Poor: You are advised not to swim. The beach will stay open and an action plan should be in place to improve the water quality.
Tides
7 Day Weather Forecast
Our weather forecast for Whitby in North Yorkshire is split into two widgets. The first shows a timeline containing temperature, wind, sunrise/sunset and chance of rain, whilst the second shows the forecast for the week ahead including severe weather alerts when available.
You may also like ...
In this 'you may also like' section we attempt to answer what else can I do? Here you have a list by order of being the closest some more beaches, things to see and do, places to eat and upcoming events.
- Musicport
  0.15 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  18th October 2019
  -
  20th October 2019
  Misicport is an annual music festival held in the Whitby Pavilion, Whitby, North Yorkshire. As well as the concerts you also have open mics and music sessions for under 5s, masterclasses and workshops for young musicians.
- Whitby lifeboat station
  0.49 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  Whitby lifeboat station was established in 1802 and now has two lifeboats; an inshore and all weather. Whitby lifeboat station is open weekdays and Sunday with the shop open in the summer.
- Captain Cook Memorial Museum
  0.66 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  The Museum is in Walker’s House which belonged to Captain John Walker to whom the great explorer, Captain Cook was apprenticed in 1746, and to which Cook returned in the winter of 1771–72 after his First Voyage. Much is known about the furnishings of the house from an inventory of contents taken in 1754, this means the two ground floor rooms are furnished according to this inventory and decorated in the original colour.
- Whitby Abbey
  0.78 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  Whitby Abbey was founded in 657 and is located high on a cliff above the Yorkshire seaside town of Whitby. The Abbey were the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s gothic tale of ‘Dracula’.
- Upgang Beach
  1.12 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  Upgang is a small beach on the north side of Whitby. It is sandwiched in between Sandsend Beach and Whitby Sands. Located just next to Whitby golf coarse the beach is well known for the surf and is very popular and productive beach for fishing, especially during summer. Access to the beach is via the steps and walkways which have been built into the side of the hill overlooking the beach. This makes it only suitable for those firm on their feet. For facilities you need to head along to Whitby.
- Sandsend Beach
  3.32 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  Sandsend beach is a sand and shingle beach situated on Yorkshire’s heritage coastline. The beach is at the North end of a stretch of beach that runs into Whitby sands. A popular haunt with fossil collectors and fishing enthusiasts and an ideal location for the family. You have car parking on the road behind the beach, cafe and toilets.
- Whitby Lighthouse
  3.57 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  Whitby Lighthouse protected the busy Whitby harbour. The harbour at Whitby is still the base for the town’s fishing fleet and it was from here that Captain Cook set out in the ENDEAVOUR on his voyage of discovery to Australia in 1768. With high cliffs and fine beaches extend to Ravenscar around Robin Hood’s Bay from Whitby and the area is popular with holiday-makers.
- Wits End Cafe
  3.89 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  Wits End Cafe has a beautiful walled garden and views of Sandsend Bay with the Whitby Abbey as a backdrop. Seasonal opening hours.
- Robin Hoods Bay Beach
  8.81 km
  
  2 Reviews
  Favorite
  Robin Hoods Bay beach is a large beach in a small fishing hamlet situated on the Yorkshire Heritage Coast just south of Whitby, the bay is located on a steep hill and marks one end of the coast to coast walk. This beach is a great family location with the beach being shingle with many rock pools and is also large enough to cope with the summer crowds. The Coastal walk between Whitby and Robin Hoods Bay is one of the best parts of the Cleveland Way National Trail and you can imagine why in the 18th Century the bay was reported to be one of the busiest smuggling communities on the Yorkshire coast. Facilities include toilets, pubs, car park (although at the top of a steep hill), restaurants, shops, slipway and the Old Coastguard Station is one of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park Centres, exhibition and tourist information all at one location.
- Runswick Sands Beach
  9.35 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  Runswick Sands is a sheltered sandy beach with rock pools either side of the bay at Runswick, although you have no beach at high tide. Runswick Bay is a great beachcombing location, you may find ammonites, dinosaur footprints, polished semi-precious stones, and shark eggs within many the Jurassic rocks and rock pools. The beach is in front of a charming village built into the steep hillside which includes a sailing club as well as a number of pleasure and fishing boats. The bay also has the Runswick Bay Rescue Boat (RBRB). Facilities include pay and display car park, toilets, cafe, shop, pub and slipway. Note that it is a steep road down from the car park to the beach.
- Wheeldale Roman Road
  16.79 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  Wheeldale Roman Road is a mile-long stretch of ancient road – probably Roman but possibly later or earlier – amid wild and beautiful moorland, still with its hard core and drainage ditches.
View all
Where can I stay ...
Booking.com interactive map
Booking.com
What do others think ...
Leave a Review Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Review text
Select a rating
Name *
Email *
Website