Botany Bay – Beach in Broadstairs

Key information

Sandy Beach

Toilets

Seasonal Lifeguards

Parking nearby

Cafes/ Restaurants

Designated for Bathing

Water quality: Excellent (2024)

Seaside Award 2025

Blue Flag Award 2025

Dog ban (1st May to 30th September from 10 AM to 6 PM)

Weather Forecast

Tide Times

Botany Bay, Broadstairs: Chalk Cliffs, Rock Pools & Family Fun

Discover Botany Bay, Broadstairs’ hidden gem with dramatic chalk stacks, safe rock pools, seasonal lifeguards and cafe amenities – perfect for family days out and Instagram-worthy coastal views.

Botany Bay is a hidden gem on the Kent coast. With its dramatic chalk stacks, secluded coves, and stunning views, it’s a haven for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. A broad length of 200 meters or more of golden sand is seen in Botany Bay. It’s perfect for lounging on the beach, having fun in the sun, or enjoying leisurely strolls down the shore. Botany Bay is great for fossil hunting and rock pooling at low tide. Exploring the exposed rocks reveals a variety of marine life, such as crabs, anemones, and starfish, making it an enjoyable place for families with little children.

One of Botany Bay’s main draws is its chalk cliffs, where you can stroll amongst the enormous chalk stacks during low tide. The caverns and cracks that have developed over time in the cliffs are an interesting landscape to explore.

The Botany Bay is a hotel and pub situated above the bay. A kiosk offering food and drinks on the beach is also present.

Botany Bay is a quiet, secluded beach in contrast to some of the more popular ones in the vicinity. When compared to other beaches like Viking Bay or Margate Main Sands, it is less congested, which makes it the perfect choice for guests seeking a more laid-back beach experience.

Watersports

The serene waters of Botany Bay make it the perfect place for paddleboarding and kayaking. Paddle around the sea stacks and take a boat tour of the neighbouring bays. Locally, equipment rentals are offered, and novices or anyone seeking a leisurely paddle will love the shallow waters close to the coast. Sometimes there are waves at the beach, which draws local surfers. Joss Bay, which is close by, is a popular spot for surfers and has a surf school.

Viking Coastal Trail

Botany Bay is an ideal place to start or end a coastal walk as it is a section of the Viking Coastal Trail. Along the route, you may take in breathtaking views of the cliffs and the English Channel as you stroll to other neighbouring beaches like Kingsgate Bay or Joss Bay. Despite its reputation for having quiet seas, Botany Bay may be a fun place to surf when the correct circumstances are met.

Awards

Botany Bay’s amenities, water quality, and cleanliness have earned it the esteemed Blue Flag 2025 designation and Seaside Award 2025. The beach is kept up nicely, and guests may take advantage of the litter-free atmosphere and swimming-friendly waters.

Fame

A photographer’s dream location, Botany Bay boasts golden dunes, sea stacks, chalk cliffs, and calm seas. It’s a photographer’s dream come true, whether you’re shooting the cliffs at dawn, the reflections in the tidal pools, or the deep shadows created by the sea stacks at dusk.

History

Smugglers utilised the shore to dock contraband in the 18th century, which is why Botany Bay got its name. The location was ideal for illegal smuggling activities because of its isolation and secret coves. Its historic mystery is still somewhat there now when you explore the caverns and rocks.