What does Chat GPT AI Bot Know About The Isle of Wight?

It occurred to me this morning that AI will probably kill off any requirement for a self-appointed Isle of Wight Guru.

Why ask a human being for advice on cheap ferry travel or the best beach for eating chips on a bench or watching the sunset when an AI bot can do it for you?

To test this out, I decided to put three questions about the Isle of Wight to the Chat GPT AI website.

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1. What is the best thing about the Isle of Wight?

First up a general question, which we cover in our guide to 'Why you should visit the Isle of Wight'.

Chat GPT said:

As an AI language model, I don't have personal preferences or experiences, but based on general knowledge and information available, the Isle of Wight is known for its natural beauty, stunning landscapes, and scenic coastline. Here are some of the best things about the Isle of Wight:

1. Beaches: The Isle of Wight has some of the most beautiful beaches in the UK, with miles of sandy shores, clear waters, and stunning views.
2. Outdoor activities: With its beautiful countryside and coastline, the Isle of Wight is perfect for outdoor activities such as walking, cycling, water sports, and fishing.
3. Historical landmarks: The Isle of Wight has a rich history, and there are plenty of historical landmarks to explore, such as Carisbrooke Castle, Osborne House, and the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.
4. Festivals and events: The Isle of Wight is home to several festivals and events throughout the year, including the Isle of Wight Festival, Cowes Week, and the Garlic Festival.
5. Wildlife: The Isle of Wight is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including red squirrels, badgers, foxes, and over 200 species of birds.

Overall, the Isle of Wight has something for everyone, whether you're looking for a relaxing beach holiday, an active outdoor adventure, or a cultural and historical experience.

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This is a good effort by Chat GPT. It sounds like a human being, but it's a bit glossy and tourist-brochurey for my liking. 

It reminds me of Alan Titchmarsh's narration in the recent Channel 5 series called Isle of Wight: Jewel of the South. Everything is equally lovely and the sun shines constantly. 

The Isle of Wight Guru would attempt to steer you in the right direction depending on what will appeal to you or when you are visiting (see 'which Isle of Wight town should I stay in' or 'what time of year should I visit the Isle of Wight'). For example, I would tell you that Shanklin is great for minigolf and chips, but it's terrible for avoiding people in August. 

I'm giving Chat GPT 7/10 for this answer.

Chat GPT had heard of the Isle of Wight Festival - but it didn't offer enough opinions for my liking

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2. How can I save money on the Isle of Wight ferry?

Next up, I challenged the AI bot on the hot topic of ferry prices.

Chat GPT said:

​There are several ways to save money on the Isle of Wight ferry:

1. Book in advance: Booking your ferry tickets in advance can save you money, as ferry companies often offer early bird discounts.
2. Travel off-peak: Traveling during off-peak times, such as midweek or outside of school holidays, can be cheaper than traveling during peak times.
3. Compare prices: It's a good idea to compare prices from different ferry companies to find the best deal.
4. Use discount codes: Some ferry companies offer discount codes or vouchers, so check their website or sign up for their newsletter to stay informed.
5. Book a package deal: Some holiday providers offer package deals that include ferry travel, accommodation, and other activities, which can often be cheaper than booking everything separately.
6. Join a loyalty scheme: Some ferry companies have loyalty schemes that offer discounts and other benefits to frequent travelers.
7. Use a cashback website: Some cashback websites offer cashback on ferry bookings, so check if this is an option before booking.

Remember to check the terms and conditions of any deals and discounts, as there may be restrictions or conditions that apply.

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This is another good effort from Chat GPT. These are all good tips - using discount codes, joining loyalty schemes, comparing prices and so on. Most of these are covered in our discount ferries guide and our beginners' guide to the Isle of Wight ferry.

It sounds like a human being, but it's lacking in useful detail.

For example, the Isle of Wight Guru would point you to the likes of Away Resorts for holiday parks + ferry bundles, Warner Leisure or Alfa Travel for hotels + ferry bundles or Red Funnel's bundle deal for camping, touring and motorhomes.

I would also point out the differences between the frequent travel schemes offered by Wightlink and Red Funnel. Wightlink's Multilink deal offers a competitive fixed price, but your credit only lasts for a year and it is only for those with an Isle of Wight residence. Red Funnel's Travelcard doesn't expire but it offers up to 20% off rather than a fixed price. It's open to everyone, but you have to top up £1000 to start things off.

I'm giving Chat GPT 6/10 for this answer.

Chat GPT's advice about the Isle of Wight ferry was accurate - but lacking in detail

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3. What's the best Isle of Wight Beach for avoiding people?

Chat GPT said:

​The Isle of Wight has many beaches that are less crowded and peaceful, especially if you are willing to explore the island's less popular areas. Here are a few of the best beaches on the Isle of Wight for avoiding crowds:

1. Steephill Cove: A small cove near Ventnor that's accessible only on foot, which makes it less crowded than other beaches.
2. Compton Bay: Located on the island's west coast, this sandy beach is great for long walks and has plenty of space to spread out.
3. Bembridge Beach: A long stretch of sand and shingle on the east coast that's often overlooked by visitors, making it a quiet and peaceful spot.
4. Newtown Beach: A nature reserve beach in the north of the island, which is only accessible by foot and has a peaceful and secluded atmosphere.
5. Brook Beach: A secluded and unspoiled beach on the south-west coast, which is great for swimming and has stunning views of the coastline.

Remember that some of these beaches may not have facilities such as toilets, cafes or lifeguards, so make sure you bring everything you need for your trip.

Compton Bay on a sunny day is gorgeous - but it's not free of people

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Personally, I would consider this a fail.

In my opinion:

1. Steephill Cove is delightful and charming, but there is very little beach at high tide and it is certainly not free of people on a sunny day. It's true that you can't reach it by car, but it's got somewhere to buy lunch and places to hire deckchairs or kayaks. I don't consider that to be somewhere to avoid people. 
2. Compton Bay is my favourite Isle of Wight beach, but it has become popular on a hot day. A couple of summers ago, we visited in an evening and found the car park was still full, with children playing on the beach and cool tunes pumping out from motorhomes. I loved it and enjoyed the atmosphere, but it was not free of people.
3. Bembridge Beach is a reasonably good choice, as it's wide open but it's not a people-free beach and there's always at least one dog which will puncture your football.
4. Newtown Beach doesn't exist, as far as I'm concerned. It's a nice nature reserve with places to spot birds with a pair of binoculars but it's a stretch to call it a beach.
5. Brook Beach is a fairly good call. It's similar to Compton Bay but a bit quieter. However, you would be much better to travel a little further along to Chilton Chine because Brook Chine is popular with kitesurfers.

There are lots of better suggestions of beaches on the Isle of Wight where you can avoid people. In fact, we've written a blog about remote beaches. In the West Wight, I would go for Chilton Chine, Atherfield or Shepherd's Chine. In the South Wight, try Binnel Bay, Watershoot Bay or Blackgang Beach. In the North Wight, try Gurnard's hidden beach (behind the sailing club, we call it Robert's Beach). In the East Wight, your best bet is probably Player's Beach near Binstead.

​See our Isle of Wight beaches map for locations.

My score for Chat GPT for this answer is 2/10. I feel reassured that the Isle of Wight Guru's waffle isn't going to be replaced by robotic waffle just yet.