Brightlingsea Beach

This sandy Blue Flag beach with views across to Mersea Island is also Marine Conservation Society Recommended. Small and relatively quiet, the area nonetheless features a wealth of attractions, from sea fishing to less sedate activities including jet skiing, wind surfing, surfing, canoeing and sailing. Swimming is possible in the sea or open air swimming pool. Adjacent to the beach is a small skate park for skateboarding and roller blading.

A pathway beside the sea borders grazing marsh, part of the Colne Estuary National Nature Reserve where bird watchers can view breeding redshanks and shovelers in summer, brent geese and other wildfowl in winter.