Hunstanton is a popular Norfolk coastal holiday spot with a largely sandy beach and is one of the few beaches in Norfolk to face west. The tide retreats to expose a wide sandy beach, with some stones and rock pools near the red and white striped cliffs at the north end. The majority of beach exposed at low tide is very gently shelving. Tidal movement stirs up sand and sediment in the sea and makes it look cloudy. The beach is backed by a promenade and the town.