About
Picturesque Port Erin Beach is situated in the southwest of the Island. The beach sits in a sheltered bay bordered by the tall cliffs of Bradda Head to the north.
Its soft golden-white sand means Port Erin Beach is a firm family favourite and popular for watersports with a number of businesses doing tours and equipment hire in the area. The beach has many recreational opportunities and facilities - shower, seasonal beach huts, ice cream shops, boat tours from the area and toilets.
Access is very easy with parking available on the promenade and electrical vechicle charging points. Alternatively, you could combine your visit with a steam train trip as Port Erin station is just a stone's throw away from the beach and promenade.
Port Erin bay makes a great base for walks. To the north over Bradda Head leads to the beautiful Fleshwick Bay. To the south the walk past the old Marine Biological Station takes you towards The Sound.
The west facing beach has stunning sunsets and views to the Irish coast & the Mountains of Mourne in the distance. Looking up from the beach to the top of Bradda Head you can see the key-shaped Milner's Tower, built in 1871 in memory of local philanthropist and locksmith William Milner. All in all a great place for a day out.
Port Erin Commissioners operates both an adult & junior beach wheelchair on behalf of Disability Networks. These can be booked here. This Service is free to use although donations are welcome to the work of the charity. The wheelchairs are located in the Cosy Nook next to the Beach Huts.
The beach is also used for various events throughout the bathing season including live music, educational events hosted by charities and Port Erin Festival of the Beach and Sea.
Fishing:
There are lots of angling opportunities from within Port Erin Bay. If fishing from the beach itself, take care to avoid other users as it may be busy at peak times. There is good fishing from the rocks at the southern end of the bay near the breakwater. There is also access to suitable rocky areas from the lower Bradda Head footpath. You can also fish from the small jetty between the Raglan Pier and the lifeboat station, depending on the state of the tide. Typical species caught within the bay include pollack, wrasse, grey mullet, mackerel and plaice.
The best fishing tends to be on the incoming tide three hours before high water, and a couple of hours after. Let someone know where you are intending to fish before you go, and when fishing rock marks, be aware of the state of the tide and keep an eye on rising water to avoid being cut off from the shore.