Not unlike Chesil Beach at Portland to the west, Hurst Spit is a shingle bank that stretches out into the sea. The spit extends towards the Isle of Wight, creating a narrow channel and marking the entrance to the Solent. As a result of its slender width, the channel is fast moving at any time other than slack tide. This also makes the end of the spit an excellent place for mackerel fishing.
Henry VIII had a fort built at the end of the spit, which still stands today and is called Hurst Castle. On the eastern side of the spit at the Keyhaven Saltmarshes, an important habitat for birds, plants and invertebrates. You can hike along the spit or catch a little ferry to the end from Keyhaven.