British Beaches

Visitor information for every beach in the UK

"Home is the sailor, home from sea"

Westgate West Bay

Kent, England


Rate this beach!
Approximate Location Map

Use two fingers to pan or zoom the map

Westgate West Bay, also known as West Bay Beach, is a popular sandy beach located in the seaside resort of Westgate-on-Sea on the north-east coast of Kent. .

Westgate West Bay is a sandy bay with rocky areas and cliffs, featuring craggy cliffs that dip sharply on either side of this tide-washed sand and shingle beach. The beach has good facilities, including toilets, chalets for hire, and a café that stays open for evening meals, providing an excellent place to watch the sunset. Beach wheelchairs are also available for visitors.

The beach offers a range of facilities, including public toilets, a small café nearby for drinks and snacks, and ice cream vans often parked along the promenade in summer. There is on-street parking close to the beach and a pay-and-display car park within walking distance. The beach is ideal for paddling, swimming, and relaxing in the sun, with lifeguards on duty during the summer months. Visitors can also enjoy building sandcastles, exploring rockpools, and taking leisurely walks along the coastal path.

The beach is protected by low chalk cliffs and features a promenade running along the back, with rows of wooden beach chalets. West Bay has been awarded Blue Flag status, indicating that the water is clean and well-maintained. However, there are seasonal dog restrictions in place – from 1 May to 30 September, dogs are not allowed on the beach between 10am and 6pm. The beach also has two slipways for launching boats, with specific rules and regulations in place.

Westgate West Bay is a peaceful and sheltered spot that feels more relaxed than some of the surrounding seaside resorts, making it a great choice for families, couples, or anyone after a classic coastal escape without the crowds. The area has a quiet, traditional charm with Victorian buildings overlooking the coast, and there are benches along the seafront to sit and enjoy the views.

Westgate West Bay is adjacent to the Kent Coastline Walk and the Viking Coastal Trail.

Bay Sand Rock

Weather and tides for Thursday 4 June

Today
Chance of rain 77%
Max temperature 17°C
feels like 18°C
Wind 24mph
Max UV Index
Tonight
Chance of rain 57%
Min temperature 12°C
feels like 13°C
Wind 18mph

The tide at Westgate West Bay is currently rising. High tide will be at approximately 3:17 PM, and the next low tide will be at approximately 9:36 PM.

Today's air pollution levels are forecast to be Low

Detailed weather and tides »

Recommended holiday cottages near Westgate West Bay

Things to do and see in the area

Carlton Cinema (0.3 miles)
Quex Park and The Powell-Cotton Museum (1.3 miles)
Minnis Bay (1.9 miles)
Margate Museum (2.2 miles)
Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Museum (2.4 miles)
The RAF Manston History Museum (2.4 miles)
CTRL ALT ESC Technology Based Escape Rooms (2.6 miles)
The Escapement - Margate Escape Rooms (2.6 miles)
Yard of Ale (4 miles)
St Peter's Village Tour (4.1 miles)

All distances are approximate

Other beaches nearby

Location: Westgate-on-Sea, Margate

Location type: Urban

OS Grid: TR318701

Coordinates: 51°22'59"N 1°19'52"E

Mapcode: GBR WZX.7C5

What 3 Words: wildfires.revisits.rectangular

Coordinates and location codes are for an approximate mid-point of the beach, and may not reflect the best access point or the most popular part of the beach.

County: Kent

Country: England

Local Authority: Thanet

Parish: Westgate-on-Sea

Nearest postcode: CT8 8QF

(for sat-nav purposes only, a beach does not have a postal address!)

Important! Beach information is compiled from a variety of different sources and is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of compilation. However, information may be incorrectly supplied by our sources or go out of date after publication. BritishBeaches.uk makes no warranty as to the accuracy of any information on this page.

Stuff you might want for the beach!

(Or après-beach. Or pre-beach. Or, just because you might want stuff)

Visitor information for Westgate West Bay, Kent, England. Weather, tides, visitor comments, beach facilities, photos, nearest postcode, beach information and nearby accommodation.

British Beaches is a Good Stuff website.

216.73.216.53 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 11:15:45 +0100