The Isle of Wight is known for many things, from being the largest and most populous island in England to its incredible coastal scenery and verdant greenery.
According to studies, the Isle of Wight is also categorised as the sunniest place to live in the whole of the UK. While this may seem like we’re damning the island with faint praise, the destination regularly gets between 1,800 and 2,000 hours of sunshine and is more sun-kissed than some parts of Spain!
There’s more to the Isle of Wight than its sun-kissed coastline, however, with the region home to a surprisingly large number of crazy golf courses. Of course, these are part of several bustling family hubs near Hope Beach and similar locations, with crazy golf incredibly popular among young families who visit the region.
In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at some of the best crazy golf locations on the Isle of Wight, while asking what you can expect at each one!
Best Crazy Golf Spots on the Isle of Wight
#1. Crazy Golf at the Pirate Cove Fun Park
In total, there are around 16 locations in the Isle of Wight where you can play crazy golf, which is a quite staggering number when you consider the size of the island.
Perhaps the most obvious choice is the Pirate Cove Fun Park, which is located on the bustling esplanade that towers above the picturesque Hope Beach in Shanklin. This large and unique location combines a 36-hole crazy golf course with a kid’s adventure resort that maintains a thrilling pirate theme throughout.
Here you’ll find go-karts, bumper boats, and even water zorbs, the latter of which refer to large, inflatable spheres that enable you to fit inside and walk across the surface of a body of water.
However, it’s the immersive, pirate-themed golf course that dominates the venue, complete with some of the craziest and most unique hazards imaginable. These include a towering waterfall, challenging fountains, and a fully-rigged pirate ship, and you’ll need all your crazy golf expertise to overcome these obstacles.
What’s more, you can even compete for the so-called “treasure” of a free game across the 18 holes, making it ideal for special occasions or a loved one’s birthday.
Typically, the course opens daily at 9am, although you may have to pre-book during busy, summer periods. The last game will take place at 9pm in the summer and three hours earlier at 6pm during the winter, and it’s important to keep this in mind when planning your itinerary.
#2. Appley Park
Appley Park is also home to a popular Isle of Wight crazy golf course, which also features a nine-hole pitch and putt course that’s excellent fun for families and kids of all ages.
However, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this Ryde-based park, which is a vast and diverse location that’s home to everything from dramatic trails and scenery to a kid’s adventure playground.
In fact, outside of the crazy golf course, you’ll find a sprawling area of ancient, coastal woodland, which is home to a selection of trees that were actually planted back in 1875. This location offers raised and wonderful views across Ryde and even the Portsmouth mainland, including the Spinnaker Tower on clear days!
Overall, Appley Park is a great place for both exploration and family fun, whether you want to ramble along scenic woodland trails or enjoy traditional outdoor games with younger children. The adventure playground is certainly highly recommended, with this also deploying a pirate theme that features slides, swings, and unusual seesaws built on sand.
This little bit of parkway is also within a stone’s throw of the Ryde seafront, which hosts a paddling pool, a water play area, and even a trickle stream!
So, if you’re looking to play crazy golf or enjoy a game of pitch and putt as part of a much more immersive family day out, a trip to Appley Park could be right up your street.
#3. Lost World Adventure Golf in Sandown
You can also access crazy golf in Sandown on the Isle of Wight, in the form of the popular ‘Lost World Adventure’ brand. Located on Sandown Pier, this is one place where you can play indoor crazy golf on the Isle of Wight, so it offers a tremendous respite and something to do during particularly inclement weather.
As we’ve already touched on, the climate is warm and largely sun-kissed on the Isle of Wight, but like any UK location, it has its fair share of rainy days (even during the summer). So, if you’re visiting Sandown and the heavens open, you can simply step inside the Lost World Adventure Golf venue and enjoy a couple of hours of fun.
The 11-hole course itself is structured as Ancient Aztec ruins, so you can challenge your family to a friendly game of crazy golf in truly unique settings. The rainforest ruins boast a number of thrilling features too, including lightning, playful monkeys, and even roaring lions!
The thunderstorm effects are particularly beguiling (and occasionally off-putting), while the clever use of sound, light, and smoke creates a unique and challenging course that’s suitable for all ages.
#4. Dino Islands – A Golf Adventure in Sandown
We’ll close with a location that’s ranked number one for fun and games in Sandown by Tripadvisor, with ‘Dino Islands – A Golf Adventure’ offering a truly unique and thrilling crazy golf experience.
Located in close proximity to the Pirate Cove Fun Park, this venue takes players on a prehistoric adventure across a multi-level, 18-hole course, while counting life-size dinosaurs, erupting volcanoes, and stunning waterfalls among its many features.
There are plenty of other challenging (and creative) obstacles too, including difficult-to-navigate bridges which are likely to test both your skill and your patience as a player.
Still, the course is immensely fun and suitable for all age ranges and abilities, and you’ll be relieved to know that absolutely no golfing experience is required to take part.
Of course, this is broadly true for all crazy golf venues on the Isle of Wight, but few offer the thrilling theme and sense of escapism that you’ll find at Dino Islands – A Golf Adventure in Sandown!
