is the water deep right off the beach or is there a gradual shallow and then deeper? I have a non swimming child.

Gradual for us, we walked out above our chests and no drop. But, yes, at low tide you can walk way out & get some killer shells 🐚 too!

There is a sand bar close to shore at low tide.

Didn't go into the water right off the hotel, but there are a few spots between the hotel and Avon where the sand bars go pretty far.