Earnse Bay, England

About Earnse Bay, England

The most popular beach on Walney Island is Earnse Bay, AKA West Shore, which has played host to many BKSA kitesurf championships, due to its outstanding and varied conditions. This spot has quite an extreme tidal range, so it’s worth checking the tide times before you plan your session. At high tide, be aware that there is no launching and landing from the stone foreshore, as there is an airfield located 300m inland from the coast. Also remember to land before the stones are covered - unless you plan to stay out at sea for the duration of high tide. At low tide you may find the sea quite far out in the bay, so do yourself a favour and set up close to the water, instead of walking all the way out with your kite flying high. Mid to low tide produces 200m of shallow water, but if you prefer some waves, you’ll find the north-westerly winds create a good playground from mid to high tide. Please note the rocks at the southern end of the beach, though. As the sea floods and ebbs, you can explore the coastline, playing in the lagoons and rolling kickers, and even getting some decent surf. The beach can be safely used in winds from south, southwesterly, and westerly to northwesterly. The best wind direction is either a northwesterly or southwesterly, depending on your discipline, and whether you prefer waves or flat water.

Traveling to Earnse Bay, England

By car, take exit 36 from the M6, head a few miles towards Kendal, then take the A590 for approximately 30 miles.

Facilities At Earnse Bay, England

Six miles south of Earnse Bay on the island is a caravan park for tourers and motor homes. Vans can stay at the free carpark just 100m away from the beach. Here you will find toilets, as well as cold showers for rinsing the salt water off yourself and your kit. Shower keys are available from the kite school located in the carpark. There is a mini market on the residential caravan park serving hot and cold food and drinks. You can also find accommodation available on the island from about £25 per night. Contact the local BKSA-approved kite school, North West Kitesurfing, for further information, tuition, and kite spares. The school is based in the car park right next to the bay.