Big flat sandy beach. Rarely crowded but can be busy on hot summer weekends near visitor center, beach sometimes used by horse riders so leave them plenty of room. North end also popular land kiting spot with hard flat sand so don't obstruct the beach with kites and lines. Very little or no beach 2 hours either side of high tide, mid tide can come in quickly, outgoing tide can quickly carry a lost board north up the beach. Reef at the north end should be avoided and is also popular fishing spot so give the fishermen a wide berth.
The water is on the cool side all year so you're unlikely to need anything less than a 3mm suit. Cold in winter and spring so a steamer or drysuit are recommended.
Anything with some East is best but a SSW is just sideshore at the north end. Most common sailable direction is southerly which can be a little gusty but ok. Sometimes seems immune from the effects of a sea breeze, in these cases best head for Beadnell.
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