Because of its particular bathymetry, as an exception to the sensible rules Thorpe Bay is often at its best for SUP at mid-tide. High tide can be good, especially in northerlies, but in any west / south / easterly breeze it can be a bit lumpy for comfort. However, between two and three hours from high tide, the water is usually very flat and waist-deep for miles. Just beware that ebb tide sees a strong current pulling out towards Shoebury, whereas flood tide pushes a gentle current east-west towards Southend. Check out our SUP Weather section for the latest…

Not so good in southerly / westerly winds or on sunny afternoons when an easterly sea breeze often builds. Northerlies blow offshore, so the water stays flat – just be careful not to venture too far offshore into higher winds and stronger tidal currents. Check out our SUP Weather section for the latest…

Plenty of paid parking in bays just across the road from the beach, where charges have got significantly more expensive lately (£2.50 for the first hour, £2 per hour thereafter, currently 8am to 6pm, although rumour is it’s going to go later into the evening in 2022. It’s worth considering an £8.50pm Southend Pass if you’re visiting regularly…) Or try a little further east at Shoebury Common Beach where car-parks are just £1 per hour. There are public toilets up towards Uncle Tom’s Cabin to the east. Pubs include The Shorehouse to the east or the Toby Carvery to the west…

Pretty easy to find – just follow Eastern Esplanade east from Southend along the seafront keeping the water on your right (!) and park anywhere beyond the mini-roundabout… Our favoured launch is what3words.com/allow.mouse.blend opposite the green just before Thorpe Bay Yacht Club, nearest postcode SS1 3NW. (Whereas there’s cheaper parking and we tend to start and end our downwinders just beyond Uncle Tom’s, at Ness Road slipway at the end of Shoebury Common Beach: SS3 9QR / what3words.com/tower.crisp.mime)