West Cliff Beach

Saltwater
Beach

West Cliff Beach

Saltwater
Beach

Sq. miles: 0.8
Boat Ramps: 1
Access Points: 0
Species: 6

West Cliff Beach, also known as Whitby Sands, is a vast, sandy Blue Flag beach stretching for approximately two miles along the North Sea coast in Whitby, North Yorkshire. Situated on the west side of the River Esk estuary, it is a prominent feature of the historic fishing town, offering expansive shorelines for recreation and angling. The beach is characterized by its clean sand, good surf, and iconic backdrop of colourful beach huts and the dramatic ruins of Whitby Abbey on the cliffs above.

England licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at West Cliff Beach and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Ballan Wrasse

Labrus bergylta

Bull Huss

Scyliorhinus stellaris

Lesser Spotted Dogfish

Scyliorhinus canicula

Lesser Weever

Echiichthys vipera

Sea Trout

Salmo trutta

Spotted Ray

Raja montagui

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on West Cliff Beach. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Slip Way

Boat Ramp

Know where you can legally fish on West Cliff Beach

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

England licenses and regulations

England Boating Regulations

Canal & River Trust is the navigation authority for most inland canals and rivers in England and Wales, covering boat licences, registration, and rules of navigation. For coastal/sea boating the national Maritime & Coastguard Agency guidance applies instead.

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England Fishing License

An Environment Agency rod fishing licence is required to fish for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eel in England. Buy a short-term or annual licence online via GOV.UK; junior licences are free but must be registered.

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England Fishing Regulations

The official Environment Agency freshwater rod-fishing byelaws for England: close seasons, size and catch limits, permitted baits and methods, and rod limits. These apply in addition to holding a rod licence.

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England Stream Access Laws

Closest official page on public access to land and water in England. Note there is no general public right to fish - fishing rights are privately owned, so you need the owner's or club's permission or a permit even where access on foot exists.

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Take West Cliff Beach with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around West Cliff Beach to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for West Cliff Beach to find where and when fish are biting for you.

Get the onWater Fish app

Free on iOS and Android

Tides, wind & water conditions (10 day forecast)

On open water, wind and tide matter as much as the weather. See the best times to fish West Cliff Beach and check the marine forecast before you launch.

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