The top 10 Beaches on the Isle of Harris

The Isle of Lewis boasts some of the most spectacular beaches in Scotland, with pristine sands and crystal-clear waters. Bosta Beach on Great Bernera is famous for its archaeological discoveries and stunning sunsets, making it a perfect spot for history buffs and nature lovers alike. Uig Sands, another highlight, offers expansive views and dramatic landscape scenes, ideal for long walks and wildlife spotting.

Dalmore Beach, with its strong waves and striking scenery, is a favoured location for surfers and photographers. Each beach on Lewis not only provides serene beauty but also a chance to immerse in the tranquil atmosphere of the Hebrides.

West coast

1. Uig Sands

One of the finest Hebridean beaches Uig Sands is a huge expanse of golden sands, extensive dunes and turquoise waters. A great for swimming and when the tide is out it is a kite surfer’s paradise.  These sands are where the Lewis chessmen were discovered in 1831. The sands are best reached from the south where there is also the spectacularly located Ardroil Campsite.

How to get to Uig Sands

Find the car park for Uig Sands using Postcode HS2 9JG; Grid ref. NB 048 328; What3Words escalated.towns.glares

Where to eat near Uig Sands

The friendly Uig Community Café at Crowlista for lunches, tea, coffe, and cakes. https://uigcommunitycentre.com/tearoom-2/ The Uig Sands Restaurant serves excellent seafood and more with stunning views. https://www.uigsands.co.uk/

2. Mangersta Sands (Traigh Mangurstadh)

Wonderfully located in Uig bordered by mountains and lochs inland this is one of the finest beaches in Lewis. It’s a stunning white-shell beach with pounding waves. Not the best for swimming but awesome for wave watchers. Thjere are some excellent walk along the coast here to see spectacular ciffs and sea stacks.

How to get to Mangersta Sands

Find parking in a small quarry, with a short walk to the beach, using postcode HS2 9EY; Grid ref. NB 012 307; What3Words tiles.backfired.springing

Where to eat near Mangersta Sands

The friendly Uig Community Café at Crowlista for lunches, tea, coffe, and cakes. https://uigcommunitycentre.com/tearoom-2/ The Uig Sands Restaurant serves excellent seafood and more with stunning views. https://www.uigsands.co.uk/

3. Bhaltos Beaches

The two largest beaches are the Cliff beach (Traigh na Clibhe) and just a little further along the coast is the lovely Reef Beach (Traigh na Berie) with its long sweeping white-shell sands and glorious summer displays of machair and lovely cliffs. Camping is available at Kneep (Cnip).

How to get to Voltos Beaches

Drive towards Uig on the B8011 and turning right at the end of Loch Roag. A single track road leads you in a loop past the best beaches. For Cliff Beach car park use postcode HS2 9HW; Grid ref. NB 085 364; What3Words inhabited.kipper.notion

4. Dalmore Beach

Beautiful Dalmore Beach is a great find, but there is an even more secluded beach a short walk north along the coast at Dailbheag with its rocky cliffs that extend seawards to form a headland. The currents can be strong here for swimmers.

How to get to Dalmore Beach

For the Dalmore Beach car park use post code HS2 9AE; Grid ref. NB 217 449; What3Words typified.popped.bungalows

Food near Dalmore Beach

Mollans Takeaway is an excellent fish and chip shop, just north east of Dalmore Beach at North Shawbost (postcode HS2 9BQ).

North East Coast

5. Tolsta Beach and Ghioradail Beach

Tolsta beach is one of the premier Hebridean beaches in Lewis, and is very popular with surfers. There is a good walk over the ‘Bridge to Nowhere’ along the coast. The secluded Ghioradail Beach is just north of Tolsta Beach reached by a steep winding path and enclosed by lovely cliffs. A cave and jetty are nearby.  At each end there are rock pools that are the home of crabs, mussels and whelks and vibrantly-coloured seaweeds.

How to get to Tolsta Beach

Tolsta Beach is located at the northern end of the B895, postcode HS2 0NT; Grid ref. NB 535 491; What3Words dugouts.rent.cling

6. Traigh Ghearadha (Garry Beach)

The beautiful Tràigh Ghearadha is a magical place at low tide is a magical place. Tràigh Ghearadha is the starting point for the Heritage Trail, the ten-mile coastal walk north to Ness with great sea stacks and caves to see en route.

How to get to Garry Beach

Car park for Garry beach, use postcode HS2 0NN; Grid ref. NB532499’ What3Words unloaded.juggled.middle

 

7. Port of Ness Beach and (8) Eoropie Beach

Ness is the most northerly village on Lewis and Ness Beach (Port Stoth) one of its most northerly. Ness is a good place to visit also on a wet day as there is a sports centre and play park as well as the beach and picturesque harbour. A short distance away Eoropie Beach (Traigh Shanndaigh) (8) is a long sweep of white sand and an excellent beach for surfing on the north west coast. There is a car park with picnic tables and refreshments are available nearby.

How to get to Europie Beach

For Ness Beach car park use post code HS2 0XH; Grid ref. NB517647; What3Words beads.mountains.reinvest. Port of Ness is south east of Europie on the B8014.

As you plan your journey to Lewis, these Hebridean beaches offer more than just sun-soaked shores; they are gateways to tranquility and adventure. Whether you seek solitude or the thrill of exploration, each beach promises unique experiences wrapped in the stunning natural beauty of Scotland. Don’t miss these hidden gems!