Chalkwell has water during the top half of the tide – within 2.5 hours of high tide is ideal. Flooding tide brings a little cross-shore current pushing west towards Old Leigh, although this is also often when the water is at its choppiest. The water tends to flatten off as the tide ebbs, although this does mean a much stronger current drawing east, towards Southend Pier. Check out our SUP Weather section for the latest…

Easterly wind can produce big rolling chop. This beach is fully exposed to southerlies, prevailing south-westerlies, and westerly winds too, so tends to chop up if there’s much breeze about (which can be fun but isn’t ideal for going anywhere). Chalkwell is at its best for paddling with little or no wind whatsoever, although under the shelter of the cliffs, northerlies will mean dead-flat water and very little wind close inshore. Check out our SUP Weather section for the latest…

Paid parking (£1 for the first hour, £1.10 per hour thereafter, 9am to 6pm), but that does mean facilities are good – there are two cafés, toilets, even cold water showers available within 100m.

From the London Road (A13), drive south down Chalkwell Avenue, under the railway bridge, turn right down Chalkwell Esplanade where the road meets the coast, then park 200m on the left… Nearest postcode – SS0 8JH