Palm Bay: wild openness and untamed beauty
Thanet, a coastal corner of east Kent, is defined by its shifting skies, chalk cliffs and the embrace of the sea from three sides. Just over an hour from London, it’s home to some of the UK’s most evocative coastal landscapes and Palm Bay is one of its hidden charms.
Less crowded than neighbouring Margate Main Sands, Palm Bay stretches out towards Foreness Point and with it, brings a sense of freedom. There’s a rawness here, wind-whipped grass lines the cliff tops, wide skies, textured sands. It’s a place for uncluttered connection, elemental shoots and stories that need space to unfold.
What the landscape is like
Palm Bay is vast and open, lined by low chalk cliffs and backed by green grasslands. The bay has a wonderfully unpolished feel, a mix of sand, rock pools, weathered textures and tidal lines. At low tide, the beach feels vast and horizon-led, perfect for sweeping visuals and atmospheric storytelling.
It’s the kind of place where you can feel the elements. There’s often a breeze, gulls overhead, and space, so much space, to breathe, move, explore at Palm Bay.
Light and seasonal shifts
- Best light: East-facing — ideal for sunrise and soft morning light.
- Tide: Low tide reveals the widest stretch of beach and seaweed-strewn textures.
- Seasons: Beautiful year-round — especially evocative in autumn and winter with moody skies and fewer crowds.
Practical notes
- Access: Sloped footpaths and steps from the cliff top; open grasslands above.
- Facilities: A seasonal cafe where Jet Ski lovers meet and enter the water. There is also a seasonal cafe on the clifftop, with nearby Cliftonville and Margate having lots of facilities.
- Parking: Free on-street parking above Palm Bay.
- Tide watch: Some parts become narrow at high tide. Especially close to the cliffs and around Foreness Point is completely tidal.
Work with me at Palm Bay
I often return to Palm Bay when a story needs clarity, wildness or space to breathe. There’s something grounding here, honest, expansive and free from the distractions of busier beaches.
Whether you’re envisioning a shoot with elemental connection, a nature-based brand session or something quietly powerful, this location holds it all.
→ Let’s create something together
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About me
Hey my love, I’m Rebecca. A visual storyteller, unleashing the power of photo and video to rewilding our connection to nature. I am also an AuDHD – an autistic ADHDer.
By illuminating the liminal space where myth, magick and intellect meet, we ignite collective curiosity, enchantment and awe to empower the healing of people and planet.
My work as a photographer and ocean storyteller has taken me from the wild coasts of Scotland to the wild edges of Iceland.
It was with immense gratitude and a sense of deepening purpose that a story I captured gain 2nd Place in the Conservation (Impact) category for Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024.
As President of the Board of Trustees for Whale Wise and a Marine Mammal Medic with BDMLR, I advocate for our blue planet through powerful visuals and purpose-driven narratives.
Together, let’s embrace the wild edges where of people, place, and planet meet.
Fill your winter nights with wonder
Chasing the aurora borealis
A BEGINNER’S GUIDE: HOW TO SEE AND PHOTOGRAPH aurora borealis
There are 7 sections & 34 lessons which dive into, guiding you step-by-step through my framework for chasing the aurora. There’s a handy checklist you either print off or save to an album in your phone gallery – super handy for when you’re out and about on your aurora adventure.
