So that everyone can stay safe we ask that you Respect, Protect and Enjoy:
Respect
Respect our local communities – Park considerately so access to gateways and driveways are clear. If the car parks are full please come back and visit another time. We recommend having a back up destination in mind before setting off.
Respect guidelines – There are limited toilet facilities at Camber Sands that are open and are cleaned regularly in line with government advice. Remember that only a limited number of people can access the toilets at one time due to social distancing – so don’t leave it to the last minute to visit! Please be kind to our staff who are trying to keep the beach as safe as possible for you.
Protect
Protect wildlife and the environment – If the bins are full please take your litter home with you! Please do not use disposable BBQs. Gas powered barbeques that are raised off the sand are the only ones permitted.
Enjoy
Enjoy Camber Sands safely – Always follow RNLI beach safety advice and check the beach safety sign for local hazards.
Camber Sands Information
Camber, located east of the ancient town of Rye, has over 2 miles of beach, and much of it is golden sands! It is home to the only sand dune system in East Sussex, which provides a valuable natural habitat to many animals and plants.
Please ensure you swim within the marked area.
Information relating to beach safety is also available from the Rother District Council Coastal Officer, the Beach Patrol Team as well as signage on entrance to the beaches.
Camber Sands is known for its sandy beach, dunes and its flat and calm nature but there is some important safety information you should be aware of:
Beware of fast incoming tides – check the tide times
Beware of sandbars – don’t get cut off by the tide
Always wear clothing designed for swimming – when wet, normal clothes can cause you to sink!
Beware of soft sand and mud exposed at low tide
Do not dig deep holes or tunnels in the sand
- Our coastal waters are home to an array of marine species. The following link shares some useful advice on how to avoid getting stung and what actions to take if you do Stings, spines and sharp teeth: Your guide to summer sealife
Alcohol and swimming don’t mix
Stay away from groynes and outfall pipes
Keep clear of the Harbour entrance, there are very strong currents and boats in the area.
Safety signs are located along the foreshore, make sure you read the information and familiarise yourself with the environment.
Speak to our Coastal Officer or beach patrol staff if you are unsure.
Know your flags
Swim, body board or use inflatables between the two red and yellow flags, this is where the lifeguards are.
Surf or kayak between the black and white chequered flags.
Do not enter the water when the red flags are flying.
Offshore winds will blow you out to sea – do not use inflatables when the orange flag or sock is flying.
Visiting with children
Bexhill and Camber Sands beaches operate a wristband system to assist in reuniting lost children. Please visit the coastal office or speak to beach patrol if you are visiting with children so that we can make sure your visit to our coastline is a safe and enjoyable one.
At these beaches we encourage you to swim between the red and yellow flags, if Lifeguards are in operation. Do not enter the water at all if the red flag is flying. Remember, your children are your responsibility. Please keep them in your sight and do not let them enter the water alone if they can’t swim or have limited swimming ability.
Coastwise provide safety information for children, click here to view: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkefXeBZPi0
Kite and Water Sports Activities at Camber Sands
There is a ‘Water Sports Zone’ suitable for kite surfing and other water sports activities located at Broomhill car park, Camber Sands.
To make the beach a safer environment for the family, the beach is zoned to separate activities. Broomhill car park provides free parking and from there you can walk directly on to the area of the beach designated for kite and water sports.
Details of the zones are shown on signage at the entrances to the beach.
Kite Safe
Don’t launch near the rocks.
- Over 90% of serious accidents occur during launching
- Launch at least 50m from objects or 3rd parties
- Stay within the designated kite zones
- Ideally launch at the water’s edge
- Don’t ride without insurance
Kitesurfing Codes of Conduct
- Riders must hold 3rd party insurance
- Be sure you can handle the prevailing weather conditions, if unsure do not go out
- Only fly within the designated zones
- Always assist fellow kiters when launching and landing
- Always use an effective leashing system
- Wrap your lines when not in use and secure your kite properly away from other beach users
- Pump your kite, then carry it to the water’s edge to attach lines and launch safely away from hazards
- Keep a safe distance from other water users and abide by the navigation laws
- Never ride alone
- You are advised to wear a suitable helmet
- If you lose your kite or board on the water always report it to the coastguard
- Violating these rules puts yourself and third parties in danger, which will jeopardise the sport on Camber beach
Specific Location Risks and Rules
- Avoid wooden groynes, rock boulder and do not kitesurf 3 hours either side of high tide
- Shore break and strong currents at high tide
- Two shipwrecks to the easterly end of the beach
- A failed launch or loose kite poses a serious danger to pedestrians and road traffic
- All personal riders must keep out of the licensed schools instructing areas
- Ministry of Defence training ranges on the east of the beach. Do not enter the water when red flags are flying – MOD training times can be found on the lookout tower by the flags
- When setting up kitesurfing kit, keep out of the way of buggies and landboarders, and tidy kit up while it’s not in use
Water sports are not advised during offshore winds. Please make note of wind direction when planning your day. The guide below will help you choose which beach to use depending on wind direction:
- Southerly and westerly winds: offshore in Greatstone. Use Camber Sands.
- Easterly and northerly winds: offshore in Camber. Use Greatstone Beach.
- North westerly winds: offshore in Camber and Greatsone. Do not use this area on these days.
For further information about beach facilities at Camber please call our Coastal Office on 01797 225207.
Drones
For information please click the button below.
Cockle Picking Notice
Foraging for domestic households or cockle picking for commercial benefit is not allowed on Camber Sands as it is a site of Special Scientific Interest. Further, any marine life gathered may be contaminated and should not be eaten. To view the full notice please click on the button below.
Events and Barbeques
We receive many requests to hold events and barbeques on Camber Sands.
Due to the nature and location of this beach, we do not allow events of any kind, (nor the use of generators) to be held on the beach or on public land within the vicinity of the beach.
Barbeques are allowed in certain areas. Please help us care for the beach environment and other users’ safety and enjoyment by following these guidelines:
- Do not use disposable, wood or coal barbeques
- Gas powered barbeques only that are raised off the sand are permitted on Camber Beach
- No barbecues are permitted in the dunes for safety reasons
- Individual permission for groups of more than 10 people should be sought from the Neighbourhood Services Office at least 4 weeks in advance
For further information please email carparks@rother.gov.uk.
Dog Control Information
Dogs are not permitted in zoned areas between 1 May and 30 September.
Horse Riding at Camber Sands
For more information on Horse Riding at Camber Sands: Horse Riding at Camber Sands
Jet Skis
For further information on Jet Skis: Jet Skis
Parking
There are three car parks (pay on arrival) operated by Rother District Council at Camber:
- Camber Central – TN31 7RH. This is a pay and display/RingGo car park. From 1 April to 30 September the gates to the Central car park are locked at 8pm on Friday and Saturday evenings and on Sundays during bank holiday weekends.
- Old Lydd Road – TN31 7RH. This is a pay and display/RingGo car park.
- Western Car Park – TN31 7RB. This is a pay and display/RingGo car park. Summer season – from Good Friday through to the first Sunday in October – the car park opens at 08.30 and closes at 20:00. The car park is staffed 7 days per week during this period, from 08:30 – 17:00. Taller vehicles requiring access through the height barrier will need to leave the car park before 17:00 to avoid being locked in. Please note, on busier days the car park may be closed during the day if it reaches capacity.
Winter season – from the first Monday in October until the day before Good Friday – the car park is open 7 days per week, but parking is limited to the coach park area. There is no access for taller vehicles during this time due to height barriers being in place. - Coach parking (Western car park) – Parking for coaches (RingGo only) is available at this car park from 8.30am until 5pm charged at £4.50 per hour. Please download the RingGo app before travelling to the destination.
- For all Camber Car and Coach parks – No overnight stay.
RingGo is available in all our car parks across the Rother district. RingGo lets you pay for your parking without cash, you just need a debit or credit card and a phone. You can call 020 3046 0010 or use the app to pay for your parking. Please note you cannot book a parking space in advance of arrival in any of our car parks.