As Littlehampton is a tourist resort the beaches can get very busy in the high summer months. The main sailing beach is on the East side of the estuary, which is served by a large pay and display car park and an on beach café. The West Beach is a rarity in the area as it has sand dunes and is known more for its surfing than windsurfing. The sailing can be great for flat water blasting (mainly during the summer sea breezes) and excellent wave sailing due to the sand bar at the mouth of the river Arun. Most of the local sailors are wave orientated and will only turn up if the waves are of a decent size. Sailable wind directions are East through the South to West but always worth a look on a summer North West as the sea breeze will swing this to a clean Westerly. Southerly onshore sailing here is safer than most beaches as there are no groynes to the East of East beach. During the summer months windsurfing is prohibited in one area of the beach due to a Safe Swimming Zone (Blue Flag Beach).