Location
Lepe lays at the mouth of the Beaulieu river.
Lepe has an ANPR parking system, toilets and a cafe all right on the beach.
There is additional parking on the cliff above with a grass park you can walk down onto the beach from.
A National Coastwatch station is also on the cliff with staff that keep a look out for anyone in distress in the water.
Lepe has a shingle bank on the far end that can act as a barrier to prevent you being blown too far down wind in a South Westerly wind at mid to low tide.
Safety
24-7 Boardsports is not responsible for and cannot vouch for the accuracy or availability of the data sources and forecasts linked to from this web site.
Lepe Hazards
- Strong current
- Groins
- Navigation marker poles
- Old pier dolphins
- Sea floor debris
- Sharp shingle
- Cables and gas pipes run along the sea floor towards the Isle of Wight
Top Tips
- Take out insurance.
- Always wear a leash and a buoyancy aid that fits you.
- With wind sports it is a good idea to wear a helmet.
- A pair of beach shoes is recommended at Lepe as the shingle is sharp.
- If in doubt don't go out!
- Call us to check the conditions are right 02380894000
Tides
The currents around Lepe are very strong, on the ebbing tide the water can actually carry you up wind. you can find more here.
For an idea of the tides at Lepe check out Stanshore Point predictions.
Wind Direction
The best wind directions are South West and West South West giving you the cross and cross on shore wind.
Winging
Lepe is more for intermediate to advanced riders.
Even though there is some shelter from Beaulieu river mouth you need to be able to deal with the chop as you will want to wing at hight tide.
The shingle is very sharp at Lepe with a number of rocks dotted about the sea floor so be careful to stay at a good depth.
There are naviation poles that lead boats in and out the river, use these as markers for how close you should be riding into the beach.
Wind Direction
SW | WSW South West and West South West winds.
Kitesurfing
Lepe is good for flat water riding at mid to low tide and hitting the waves when you have wind against tide.
Not really a beach for the complete beginner even though lessons do take place here from time to time.
Lessons are a well planned out and risk assessed session with safety measures in place.
Remember the currents are strong and can carry your board upwind making it hard to retrieve if you crash down wind far enough.
Wind Direction
SW | WSW South West and West South West winds.
Windsurfing
Favoured by a lot of the locals Lepe offers great windsurfing conditions for more experienced riders.
The wind is really clean and strong, you can choose to play about just tucked in front of the shingle bank or speed out into the middle of the Solent and play in the waves that pick up out past the end of the bank.
Wind Direction
SW | WSW South West and West South West winds.
SUP & Kayaking/Canoeing
On calmer days Lepe is ok for beginner paddle boarders and kayaks, but be very careful of the currents that flow around the shingle bank and out of the river.
Mid to low tide means you can easily hop off and walk back to the beach, be sure to wear proper footwear as the shingle is sharp.
More experienced are able to paddle up the river right to Beaulieu, timing is critical as it is best to follow the high tide into the river and follow it back out again.
Wind Direction
We wouldn't recommend going out in winds more than 15 knots or 17 miles per hour.
Avoid wind that will blow you away from the shore.
