Wind powered activities
Windsurfing, kite-surfing and sailing
- Avoid putting shoreline wintering birds to flight by using designated access points and avoid getting close to their feeding grounds along the strandline or reef, or where they are resting - such as at high tides
- Keep activities, launches and landings away from the summer breeding grounds and main winter roosts on the shingle beaches between Minnis Bay and Reculver, within the Sandwich and Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve, except for navigational access to Sandwich
- If you encounter wildlife, such as seals either at sea or on sandbanks, slow down and give them a wide berth as then can be easily scared by humans
- Be considerate to other coastal users - particularly swimmers and children in the water and look out for other beach users and dogs when clearing equipment away on the shore.
- Keep to the designated activity zones identified on the main bay information signs, or by the Local Authority
- For larger vessels - above dinghy or topper in size - join a local water user scheme, such as the Thanet Water User Group - contact them to see if your craft should be included.
- Know and follow the RNLI's Sea Safety Guidelines - Dingy Sailing and Sailing - available free of charge from the RNLI
- Observe the advice in the Windsurfing Safety Guide - available from the MCA (via Mail Marketing Tel 011 5901 3336)
- Be aware of the Kite Surfing Safety Guidelines - contact the British Kitesports
Sandwich and Pegwell National Nature Reserve (NNR) - Kite Surfing Local Agreement - now out of date: see BELOW (First drawn up in 2004, reviewed 2008/reprint 2019)
PLEASE NOTE: This agreement has been superceded by the national England Coastal Path with Access Restrictions within Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve (2016). LAUNCHING IS NOW RECOMMENDED ONLY FROM WESTERN UNDERCLIFF, RAMSGATE and avoiding use of the mudflats in Pegwell Bay.
Thanet Coast (NEKMPA)
c/o Thanet District Council,
PO Box 9, Cecil Street, Margate, Kent CT9 1XZ
United Kingdom
E-mail:
Tony Child
Thanet Coast (NE Kent Marine Protected Area) Officer
Telephone: +44 (0) 1843 577672
(based in Manston Road Depot)