Esso Beach

Shingle beach facing west into Langstone Harbour, at the north end of Hayling Island

Submitted by:
johnnyG
Updated:
10th Dec 2006

Upload Photo...

To find it going south from A27 towards Hayling, cross bridge onto island, then turn right IMMEDIATELY after the Esso Station on the right.
It's a small shingle-based lagoon, which is only usable 2 hours each side of high tide at best, but is very flat even when it's very windy. There is not much fin clearance at the best of times, so BE CAREFUL. Also, since it's relatively static and shallow pool, there's weed and mud. Yuck. Hence the nickname Poo Bay.
Also used by dog walkers and dogs, I assume it's the dogs
leaving the excrement not their owners.
There are a couple of rigging spots, to the right and in front of the rear car park entrance.
Could be good for kitesurfers, if the strings don't get caught in trees - they are a way back from the beach.
Lots of birdwatching, often see people with binoculars, it's a part of Hayling Billy, a nature conservation area.