BEACH AND WATER ACTIVITIES

General Rules

During the Blue Flag Bathing Season (1st May to 30th September)

Watersports of any kind are not permitted in the lifeguard supervised red & yellow flagged safe swimming & bodyboarding zone
Stand up paddleboarding and surfing are permitted in the black & white flagged hardcraft zone

During Summer (1st March to 31st October)

All wind sport activities fall under 2XS’s remit. Members and non-members must sign in before entering the water. Guest pass charges apply.

During Winter (1st November to 28th February)

You must be a full 2XS member to kitesurf.
You enter the water at your own risk, avoid the red flag area
If you see anybody in difficulty – dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard

Activities

Dog Walking

From mid-May to mid-September, dogs are not allowed on the main swimming beach between groynes 14a and 18 (in front of the beach huts) but are welcome on the entire beach the rest of the year.

Please clean up after your pets, keep them under control, and don’t leave them in locked cars on warm days. Under The Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005, fines of up to £1,000 can apply for violations. We have plenty of dog waste bins across the estate.

The beach is popular with dog walkers year-round; enjoy responsibly by keeping your dog under control.

Watersports

Launching or landing motorized craft and sailing dinghies is not allowed.

Windsurfing, and wingfoiling from the beach are restricted to 2XS members from March to October. Kitesurfing remains to 2XS member-only year-round, while SUP is welcome anytime outside the bathing zone.

Board hire, tuition, and rescue services are available; visit www.2xs.co.uk or call 01243 513077.

Kitebuggying and land yachting are no longer permitted on West Wittering Estate, including the beach.

Horse Riding

Horse-drawn carriages are not allowed anywhere on the Estate, including the beach.

Horse-boxes and trailers are also prohibited on the Estate and in its car park. Horses are only permitted on the beach.

From May 1st to September 30th, horse riding is not allowed on the beach. From October 1st to April 30th, riding is permitted, except during the 3-hour period around high tide.

Hobbies

Metal detecting is permitted only below the mean high water line and not anywhere else on the Estate.

Please note the that the Road Traffic Act applies to all areas of the Estate regarding e-bikes and scooters.

Any form of aviation is also prohibited – please contact the office for special permission.

Drones, model aircraft, cars, speedboats and children’s power vehicles – are not allowed anywhere on West Wittering Estate for safety reasons.

Camping

Camping and over-night stops are not permitted on West Wittering beach, its car park, Cakeham Estate or East Head. There are a number of local camp sites in the area, details of which can be seen below.

Please note caravans and trailers are not permitted anywhere on the estate.

BBQs

IMPORTANT – please note for safety reasons, disposable BBQs are NOT permitted anywhere on the Estate; including the beach, car park, open space areas, Cakeham Estate and also East Head.

Portable, reusable BBQs & stoves are allowed.

Do not put hot coals in a normal waste bin, as they can start fires. Please make sure they are fully out by letting them cool completely, soaking them in water if needed, and then leaving them next to the bin in a safe, non-combustible container.

Watersports and Water-based Activities

Since 1991 2XS has supervised the safe enjoyment of watersports on West Wittering Beach. 2XS offers annual and guest membership with:

Clubhouse facilities
Tuition
Equipment hire & shop

2XS have a rescue jet-ski on standby 7 days a week from 1st March to 31st October.

Watersport specific Rules and Guidance

Kitesurfing

restricted to full 2XS members only
kitesurfing for members only all year round

Overflying the beach is not permitted under any circumstances
No launching at high tide
Kitesurfers must launch and land in the yellow buoyed area
Kitesurfers must maintain a distance of at least 75 metres from the shore
Kitesurfing is not permitted in Chichester Harbour

Windsurfing

restricted to full 2XS &
2XS guest pass members only

Windsurfers are advised to launch and land in the yellow buoyed area. If launching from the western end of the beach, users must sign in with 2XS. Please note: Harbour dues must be paid if heading into the harbour
Windsurfers must maintain a distance of at least 75 metres from the shoreline and swimmers

Wingfoiling

restricted to full 2XS &
2XS guest pass members only

Wingfoilers are advised to launch and land in the yellow buoyed area. If launching from the western end of the beach, users must sign in with 2XS. Please note: Harbour dues must be paid if heading into the harbour
Wingfoilers must maintain a distance of at least 75 metres from the shoreline and swimmers

Surfing

Avoid 2XS wind-watersports zone(s), red-flag area, strong tides & offshore winds. Always comply with lifeguards & signage. Safest area is always the black & white flagged hardcraft zone.

Do not enter the red & yellow flagged zone.

SUP

Avoid 2XS wind-watersports zone(s), red-flag area, strong tides & offshore winds. Always comply with lifeguards & signage. Safest area is always the black & white flagged hardcraft zone.

Do not enter the red & yellow flagged zone.

Open Water Swimming

Wetsuits are essential for warmth & buoyancy
WWE strongly advise not swimming independently, always tell someone when going
Avoid 2XS watersports zone(s), red-flag area, strong tides & offshore winds. Always comply with signage
Be aware of changing depths, the sand regularly shifts

During summer, always check in with the lifeguards for advice/supervision. If lifeguards not present, check in with 2XS.

Safety Information

For everyone’s safety windsport users are not to enter the red & yellow flagged zone under any circumstances. If you are passing this zone you must be at least 75 metres upwind from the nearest swimmer. Please turn at the red “Fanatic” buoys.

Lifeguards

WWE Beach Lifeguards operate between mid-May and mid-September. Always comply with their advice and direction.

Before partaking in any water-based activity, it is your responsibility to check the weather, wind speed & direction, and tidal state.

Car park terms and conditions still apply. All vehicles must be off site by 6:00pm GMT or 8:30pm BST.

Beach & Water Activities