Roker Pier extends 300 metres into the North Sea from the mouth of the Wear, ending at a red-and-white striped granite lighthouse. Walking the pier is a good way to understand the exposure of this coastline: the North Sea comes in fast from the northeast and in rough weather the waves break spectacularly over the lower sections. The walk out and back takes about twenty minutes.
At the landward end, Roker beach stretches north — sand at low tide, with the Art Nouveau St Andrew's Church (built 1906, designed by E.S. Prior) directly behind it. Roker is the better of Sunderland's two beaches for atmosphere; Seaburn to the north is larger but more developed. Both beaches are within walking distance of each other and serve as a combined destination for a half-day out.