Swimming
A popular swimming beach but care is needed as it gently shelves with a strong tide which, from about two hours before until three hours after high water, flows to the west. There are no beach life guards but GAFIRS have a lifeboat station at the east end of the beach.
https://www.thebeachguide.co.uk/south-west-england/hampshire/stokes-bay.htm
Sailing
There is a sailing club in the centre of the bay in front of the public dinghy slipway. The club offers sailing and boat storage for dinghy and catamaran sailing and racing together with temporary membership for occasional visitors.
For more information, visit their website Stokes Bay Sailing Club where there is a live webcam.
SUPs, Kayaking and Windurfing
The bay is very popular with stand up paddleboarders, kayakers and windurfers but it is worth noting that the tides moves west from about two hours before until three hours after high water, moving east the rest of the time.
The speed limit of 10 knots that is applicable within half a mile of the shore applies to all watercraft.
Slipways
No 2 Battery West Car Park Slipway has a public slipway suitable for windsurfers, kayaks and small sailing dinghies. Pebble Beach Car Park has a public slipway in front of the sailing club suitable for sailing dinghies with hand trolleys only; powered craft are not permitted. Gilkicker Car Park Slipway is a public slipway suitable for motor and sailing boats requiring launching with a car; the west side being reserved for GAFIRS.
Jetskis and Water skis are not permitted to use any of the Stokes Bay slipways
Water Quality
The most recent classification of water quality is Excellent based on samples taken from 2019 through to 2023.
https://environment.data.gov.uk/bwq/profiles/profile.html?_search=gosport&site=ukj3305-16700
However, after periods of heavy rain, the quality can change for short periods with the notifications from Southern Water to be found at: