Blue Flag Beaches 2023

With 400 miles of beautiful coastline and some of the best beaches in the UK to choose from, see why we Love South East England's coastline.  If you're after somewhere for a safe, clean, and enjoyable for a day out by the seaside, then the list of Blue Flag award-winning beaches is perfect for you and your south coast holiday.

Build sandcastles in the golden sands, enjoy a paddle or swim in the sea, skim stones across the water, enjoy an evening stroll to watch the sun set, with over 29 Blue Flag beaches to choose from, its easy to find one nearby.  Combined with some of the best weather in the UK, why go abroad when there are world class coastal destinations on your doorstep?

Blue flags are awarded to beaches with high water quality and excellent facilities, safety and environmental education. The seaside award is designed to recognise different uses of the UK's coastline. It ensures visitors are guaranteed to find a clean, safe, attractive, and well-managed coastal stretch.  

>>> Find more things to do on sunny days

Best Beaches in Kent

Thanet is home to seven out of Kent's eleven blue flag award winning beaches, along with a further three beaches that hold the seaside award. Discover beaches backed by stunning white cliffs and colourful beach huts, places to enjoy sandcastle building, rock pooling, cave exploring and much more.  From beaches brimming with natural beauty, offering peace and quiet and a chance to escape, to traditional holiday resorts full of water sports and family friendly seaside adventures, your sure to find a beach that is right for you.  Remember to download the beach checker app, if heading to Broadstairs, Margate and Ramsgate, the traffic light system will help you plan your day.

Best Beaches in Sussex

Stretching 140 miles the Sussex coastline is lined with pebble and shingle beaches, interwoven with sandy stretches. The award-winning Brighton and Hove beaches provide the fantastic backdrop to a visit to Brighton, the city by the sea. West Witterings, West Sussex is loved by families for its vast stretches of sand, and Marina St Leonards on the outskirts of Hastings offers sand at low tide and shingle dunes to explore. 

Other Sussex beaches not to missed are Camber Sands, home to the only sand dune system in East Sussex

Blue Flag Beaches in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

Stretching from Chichester Harbour in the east, to Highcliffe in the west, Hampshire's coastline stretches over 200 miles and is made up of shingle beaches, sand and stone, country parks and nature reserves. The five-mile-long family friendly beaches of Hayling Island offer a great place to paddle or take a dip. The Isle of Wight has a varied and interesting coastline with inlets, caves and secluded beaches. For sandy beach lovers head to the East of the island, to Sandown, Shanklin or to Compton Bay on the West.  Discover the picturesque Freshwater Bay or the cove of Steephill, tucked away at the foot of the Ventnor Undercliff area. 

• Hayling Island Beachlands
• Sandown 

Seaside Awards

• Springvale
• Seagrove
• St Helens

Best Beaches in Dorset

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole is home to 12 of Dorset's award-winning blue flag beaches, from the famous Sandbanks Peninsular to the beautiful Victorian seaside resort of Swanage.  The Alum Chine Beach loved by the Bournemouth locals to Fishermans Walk, with its acres of sand and lift for less mobile visitors.  In less than 22 miles you can enjoy the best beaches Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole have to offer. 

Looking for your ideal beach holiday accommodation? Find hotels, B&Bs, self catering, campsites and much more for your break by the south coast.

Map of Blue Flag Beaches 2023 in South East England

Map of Seaside Awards 2023 in South East England