Beaches are probably the feature of Harris that impress most visitors. The colour of the water, even on a dull day, and the purity of the sand are simply stunning. The Isle of Lewis also has some excellent beaches. A location map for the Harris beaches is below the images .
Beaches on Harris range from the huge expanses of Traigh Losgaintir (Luskentyre) and Traigh Sgarastaigh (Scarista) to little sheltered coves beside the road at Na Buirgh (Borve).
The listings below are arranged from North to South. Click on images to enlarge
Beaches on Harris Huisinis
There are two beaches at Huisinis, which is situated right at the end of the B887. There is now a developed campsite here with facilities if you are thinking of camping.
Information about this camping area can be found at either our Camping and Campsites page, or, at the North Harris Trust website with reference to the Huisinis Gateway
Beaches on Harris Luskintyre
Luskentyre beach is one of the largest expanses of beaches on Harris. Luskentyre boasts miles of white sand and stunning green-blue water.
To the north of the beach is a vista to the hills of Harris and to the west, the Island of Taransay. Taransay was where the BBC's Castaway programme was filmed.
Even on a dull day, the beach still holds its colours of golden sand and aquamarine sea.
Beaches on Harris Seilebost
This beach can be accessed from the A859. The beach and Machair area is on a piece of land to the south of Luskintyre beach.
There is a small campsite outside the school and facilities for motorhomes and campers. Information by clicking here
If you are prepared for a short walk then this beach is one of the best in the Hebrides and often very few visitors.
Views from the beach are over to Taransay and also Ben Luskintyre and the Harris hills.
Beaches on Harris, Horgabost
Is a stunning beach to the south of the previous two. Not quite as large as the two above, but equally stunning.
Access is easier to visit, as a small road belonging to the camping area takes you down to the beach.
Camping is permitted here for a small fee and during the summer a burger bar is situated at the access to the road. Details
Facilities are within shipping container adaptions. You are more likely to have others joining you on this beach because of its good access.
Beaches on Harris, Borve
This beach is accessed over the Machair from a car park on the A859.
Macleod Neolithic Standing Stone is also signed from the car parking area and is well worth a slight diversion to view.
Again, this is a pristine beach with white sand and aquamarine coloured waters. A really good place to view wildlife and the Isle of Taransay
Beaches on Harris Northton-Scarista
This beach is accessed in various points along the A859. One good place is through a gate jut south of Scarista House.
This is a very large area of sand at low water and stretches all the way towards Northton.
A large area of Machair is between the beach and the road in places, so be prepared to walk. In spring, this area is full of wild flowers and wildlife.
Behind the beaches are the machairs - green grassy plains covered in a mass of wild flowers in the summer. The images probably don't do justice to the wonderful colours and sheer size of the beach area.
Accommodation close to the beaches can be found by clicking here.
Camping is permitted in several locations close to the beaches, and a small fee is required. At Horgabost beach there are portacabin facilities, consisting of toilets and washing facilities. Just turn up, choose a pitch and payment by means of an honesty box. Reasonable rates.
No electrical hookup Motorhome pitches are also available at the old school in Seilebost.
At Talla na Mara 3 small pitches with electrical hook ups at the edge of our community enterprise centre Talla na Mara. With panoramic views across the Sound of Taransay.
There are also 7 idyllic spots around the estate built to protect roadside erosion while providing motorhome users with a safe base for adventuring.
Overnight stays are charged by the night and funds and nicome generated goes back into the West Harris Community, funding vital local projects. call on (+44) 01859 503900 to speak to one of the team.
Huisinis Beach also has basic facilities, although if you are going all the way out to this one to camp, then it may be prudent to ring up the Touris Office in Stornoway and just check if they are open. Tourist information office Stornoway 01851 703 088.
There are very few beaches on the eastern side of Harris, but there are many small bays with their own jetties and charm.