Ramsgate's main beach sits below the western cliff, reached by a broad ramp from the harbour or by steps from the clifftop above. It is a decent town beach — wide enough at low tide, sheltered by the harbour arm from the worst of the North Sea swell, and with clean sand suitable for children. The water here is cooler than southern English resorts but swimmable from June to September.
The beach lacks the drama of the chalk cliffs and rock pools to the east towards Broadstairs, but it is convenient and family-friendly. Beach huts line the upper section. The coast path east along the clifftop connects Ramsgate to Broadstairs (about 3 km), passing above the chalk rock formations that characterise this part of the Kent coast. This clifftop walk, with views out to the Goodwin Sands, is one of the better short coastal walks in southeast England.