Alum Bay

neilb · 10 August 2007, 14:43

Looking to take a trip down to Alum Bay tomorrow. Is it worth a trip? Can you get onto the Beach easily. Is it all stones or a mixture of stones/sand. Can you leave a rib on the beach or is it anchor off only.

Thanks

Neil

Hightower · 11 August 2007, 23:54

I was at Alum Bay yesterday, is a pebbley beach with sandy bits on. I would recommend Anchoring off the beach a little and rowing a little inflatable ashore or swimming.

Peter J · 13 August 2007, 12:03

Too late now but for the benefit of anyone who reads this thread in the future I went there once.

It's stoney and shelves off quickly so I nudged her in to drop off the kids and anchored off. Bit of a swell when I was there.

I've not been but people say Totland bay next door is better.

Rodan · 13 August 2007, 13:04

Colwell bay is round the corner and far nicer.

neilb · 13 August 2007, 13:07

Managed to find it OK. Like you said Peter is was stoney with a quick drop off. I managed to nudge into the shore and drop the women off so that they could go up the chair lift and then anchored just off the shore. One problem I did have was my anchore became stuck on a rock and required 10 minutes of pulling in all directions before I could free it.

Apart from that a very nice bay with good scenary and well sheltered from a southerly breeze. Stopped off at Yarmouth on the way back for a quick pint then back to the Hamble.

Neil

neilb · 13 August 2007, 13:12

Rodan

What is there at Colwell Bay. Can you land, is it sandy?

Thanks

Neil

Sarah G · 13 August 2007, 16:52

Just for interest, there are fireworks on Thursday evening at Alum Bay which are better seen from the water.

They start at dusk (around 9.15 last week).

Don't last long but very good.

slimtim · 15 August 2007, 23:28

For the record...

Alum bay can be really really nice. I was there on saturday and had a great day. Take your rib right into the corner where the white cliffs meet the sandy cliffs. You can get in close and the water is deep enough to dive in. It is usually deserted right in this corner and the wind does funny things which means it'll usually be flat and sheltered. The water is almost always very clear and its great for snorkling with a combination of sandy bottom and chalk rocks. When we were there on sat, there were millions of fry in the water and loads of other bigger fish swimming around near the bottom. Much more interesting and deeper than totland/colwell, but not as sandy or (usually) not as warm.

Always nice to take a blast along the cliffs, thread the needles and pop round to scratchells bay too.

gtflash · 17 August 2007, 19:45

dont forget the rocks hidden in the water parrallel with the cliffs

Ian M · 18 August 2007, 08:15

If you are going to anchor up in Alum Bay watch out for the wreckage of the old pier. As you get close to the beach it is ovious where it is, the remaining 'stub' projecting out from the beach. I have had to dive on it before to recover a yatch anchor that had its chain wrapped around one of the quite numerous spars on the sea floor just there. Outside of what is quite a small area the sea floor is clear and would be OK to anchor in.