Here's a series of short vignettes, each a gateway for children and families to step into adventure, discovery, and quiet wonder along the beaches of the Isle of Wight.

1.The Dinosaur Coast | COMPTON BAY

Bring your buckets and your imaginations—Compton Bay is a wild, golden stretch where ancient giants once walked. Look closely at the rocks at low tide—you might see the actual footprints of dinosaurs pressed into stone. Fossils hide in the clay and shale. Some say if you listen to the wind on the cliffs, you can hear the low rumble of their footsteps echoing through time.

Treasure Tip: After a storm, fossilised bones and belemnites sometimes wash up near the shore. Keep your eyes open!

2. The Beach of Bones and Brightness | SANDOWN

This is a classic beach day—ice cream, sandcastles, and paddle waves. But did you know this stretch of our coast is part of the island's "Dinosaur Capital"? Beneath the family fun lies a layer of ancient mystery. The sand here is soft and welcoming, but under the cliffs, hidden fossils sleep. Visit Dinosaur Isle Museum nearby to see what's been found—and maybe discover your own.

Adventure Game: Can you make a map of the "Jurassic Jungle" and draw the creatures that lived here?

3. The Mermaid's Shore | SHANKLIN

A beach that feels like a storybook. Soft sands, gentle waves, and the faded charm of seaside holidays. Children often find sea glass here—smooth jewels tossed by the sea. Some say they're mermaid tears, others say they're messages. Build a sand fortress and guard it against the rising tide, or search for secret tunnels in the rocks at the southern end.

Magical Mission: Find three sea-polished treasures. Give each one a name and a power.

4. The Secret Seeker's Beach | YAVERLAND

Tucked beside Sandown, this quieter beach is a dream for fossil hunters and rock explorers. The cliffs here crumble slowly, revealing new gifts from deep time. You might find a piece of petrified wood or part of a dinosaur tailbone. But be careful—some secrets are still sharp!

Explorer's Code: Respect the land. What you find, hold with care. Some things belong to the earth.

5. The Tide Whisperer's Path | BEMBRIDGE BEACH

When the tide is low, the sea steps back to reveal vast stretches of sand, hidden rockpools, and trails of sea creatures. Crabs scuttle, shells shine, and the pier reaches out like a finger into the mist. Families wander with buckets and nets, listening for the stories the tide tells.

Secret Challenge: Can you find a shell that sings? (Hint: Hold it to your ear. What do you hear?)

6. The Pocket Cove of Wonder | VENTNOR

Sheltered and sun-warmed, this beach has its own little weather system. With the hills rising behind and the sea spreading wide, it feels like a world apart. Old Victorian tunnels lead to hidden gardens and coves. Fossils sometimes hide on walls, paths, or fallen stones in plain sight. And sometimes, just sometimes, a treasure chest washes up. Or was it just driftwood?

Story Seed: What washed ashore in the night while everyone was sleeping?

The Treasure Map of the Isle| Beaches for Brave Explorers