9 Amazing Stornoway Beaches (2026)
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Looking for everything you need to know about Stornoway beaches? Then this post is for you.
There is very little information out there on these beaches. Many don’t have a name and are not shown on google maps. That is why I have put together this post.
Each beach is accompanied by a photo and a description so you can decide which ones you would like to see and to help you plan your visit.
The below list of beaches is split in two based on geographical location.
The first set of beaches are located along the east coast, travelling north from Stornoway to where the road ends just past Garry beach.
The second set are located out towards the airport and Point peninsula.
Scrolling down the list you will notice that the beaches on the east coast are prettier with white sand and turquoise water. The ones past Stornoway out to the airport are stony or have brown sand.
What Is the Closest Beach to Stornoway?
Sandwick beach (also called Mol Bheag) is the closest beach to Stornoway and it is a stony beach. The closest sandy beach is Melbost beach (also called Braighe beach).
Which of the Beaches in Stornoway Are Best for Swimming?
Garry beach is the best beach for swimming close to Stornoway.
Most of the beaches along the B895 are pretty, sandy beaches where it is possible to swim.
However, the weather in the Outer Hebrides is unpredictable so only swim during calm conditions. Despite being on the more protected eastern side of the islands the waves can be surprisingly large.
What Activities Are the Beaches in Stornoway Suitable For?
Walking is the most popular activity and all the beaches listed below are dog friendly. The best beach for a walking is North Tolsta beach (Traigh Mhor).
When the sea is calm kayaking and paddle boarding are popular activities and Coll beach is also known for windsurfing and kite flying.
Surfing, SUP and snorkelling equipment can be rented from Surf Lewis if you have previous experience. They also arrange lessons which can be booked online.
Also visiting Harris? Read my Guide to the Amazing Harris Beaches
Map of Beaches in Stornoway
Although the beaches near Stornoway are pretty, don’t miss the ones on the Western coast. This is where you will find most of the best beaches on Lewis such as Uig Sands beach and Bosta beach are and they are all worth the drive to get there.
Stornoway Beaches Along the B895
From Newmarket the B895 runs north along the coast. Close to Stornoway there is a tidal estuary but as you get further out there are several white sandy beaches. Most are close to the road which provides easy access and parking.
How to Visit by Public Transport
If you are using public transport to get around stay in one of the hotels in Stornoway town centre.
By Bus: The W5A bus route called Back and Tolsta runs from Stornoway bus station to North Tolsta. The bus runs Monday to Saturday with no service on Sundays.
The journey takes roughly half an hour from Stornoway to North Tolsta and stops at all the beaches mentioned below (except for Garry beach). No public transport is available to Garry to beach and it is a long walk from North Tolsta.
Check the latest bus timetable before travelling.
By Bike: From Stornoway to Garry Beach it is 15 miles one way. This might be a bit far on a standard bike but renting one of the hybird e-bikes from Hebholidays in Stornoway this is possible.
It also gives you much more flexibility than trying to work out the bus schedule to see all the other beaches along the way.
I highly recommend booking a rental car for your trip
1. Garry Beach – Traigh Ghearadha
If you only visit one Stornoway beach this should be it. It is one of the best Western Isles beaches. It is one of Lewis’ most popular swimming beaches and a perfect place to spend a summer’s day.
Even when it is cold and cloudy this is a fantastic beach to visit to see the sea stacks. At low tide you can walk amongst the sea stack located at one end of the beach.
The sea stacks make for great photos. For the best view of the beach and the sea stacks stop at the headland before the beach.
Tide level: Important. It is only possible to walk among the sea stacks at low tide
Access to the beach: A short track from the car park takes you down to the beach
Parking: Pay and display parking is available by the beach. When the weather is nice it often gets full
2. North Tolsta Beach – Traigh Mhor
North Tolsta beach is the most impressive, stretching for a mile along the coastline. The fact that is less popular with families than Garry beach means it is less busy and it is the perfect place for a walk.
Tide level: The beach is most spectacular at low tide
Access to the beach: A short walk from the carpark
Parking: At the northern end of the beach is a car park with toilets
3. Traigh Ghioradail
This beach is often missed out in favour of the two beaches described above which means that even on a sunny day you are likely to have this beach to yourself.
Being a bit more difficult to access and with tall cliffs looming above you this is the Stornoway beach which feels the most secluded and remote.
Tide level: Best at low tide enabling you to walk to the section of beach on the right which is cut off at high tide
Access to the beach: A steep walk down and back up to North Tolsta makes this the hardest beach to get to on this list
Parking: In Tolsta or at the small car park before the track starts the steep decline down to the beach. Maps show a car park further down the track to the beach but this road is only suitable for a 4×4. To start the track looks fine but quickly large potholes and missing sections of road appear
4. Gress Beach
Further north the beaches are surrounded by tall, steep cliffs but around Gress and Coll beaches the landscape is flat. It makes these beaches less dramatic.
Wildlife can often be seen whilst walking along the Gress beach.
Tide level: Not important
Access to the beach: From Gress village, the road or the carpark
Parking: A car park is located close to Gress cemetery
5. Coll Beach
Coll beach is only 5 miles from Stornoway centre and it is the closest of the Stornoway beaches with white sand. Since it is often windy it is a good place to go windsurfing and kite flying. It is also good for walking.
Between Gress beach and Coll beach you will find Mocha Muffin, the only café along this road. It is open 10-5pm every day except Sunday.
Tide level: Not important
Access to the beach: A small path leads down to the beach from the road
Parking: There is a car park along the road opposite the caravan park. There are toilets in the caravan park
Looking for something else than beaches? read my post the top things to see and do on Lewis
Stornoway Beaches – Along A866 to Stornoway Airport
The beaches on the peninsula out towards the airport and Point are mainly rocky beaches. There is only one sandy beach, Melbost beach (Braighe Beach), which has brown sand.
Some are interesting for the historic ruins or because they are good places to see seals but these beaches cannot compete with the pretty white sandy beaches along the B895.
How to Visit by Public Transport
If you are travelling by public transport it is best to base yourself in Stornoway and the stay in one of the hotels in Stornoway.
By Bus: A bus runs between Stornoway bus station and Flesherin. The route is called W5 Point and runs every day except Sunday.
Melbost and Sandwich are the most useful stops for the beaches listed below.
The journey time is 10-15 minutes. The bus departs several times a day making these beaches the easiest in the Outer Hebrides to reach by public transport.
Check the latest bus timetable before travelling.
By Bike: Since the beaches below are close to the city centre exploring by bike is a great option.
There are two places in Stornoway that rent out bikes, Hebholidays and Bespoke Bicycles.
I highly recommend booking a rental car for your trip
6. Sandwick Beach – Mol Bheag
Sandwick beach is a small rocky bay.
Despite this being the closest beach to Stornoway and the easiest to get to without a car you are likely to have the beach to yourself.
Tide level: The beach is significantly smaller at low tide
Access to the beach: From Millar road or Lower Sandwick road
Parking: There is no parking by the beach but there is a bus stops in Sandwick. From the bus stop it is a 15-minute walk to the beach. Alternatively, it takes about 30 minutes to walk the 1.5 miles to the beach from the ferry terminal in Stornoway
7. Holm Beach
Holm beach is a popular place to store boats but you will meet few other people whilst walking along the beach.
Sandwick, Holm and the beach opposite the airport are the best beaches on the list to come if you want a beach to yourself.
Tide level: Not important
Access to the beach: The beach is right next to the car park
Parking: Drive through Holm village and park at the end of the road
8. Beach Opposite the Airport
On the map this beach has no name but as the title above indicates it is located opposite the airport.
The beach itself is stony and would not be worth a visit if it wasn’t for this being one of the best place on Lewis to see seals basking on rocks.
Low tide exposes a large rocky area (seen on the left in the photo above) which is usually full of seals.
The seals are so timid that they will probably slide into the water as you approach but if you sit quietly on the beach they will slowly come back. The seals are too afraid to lie on the beach itself.
Tide Level: Go at low tide to see the seals
Access to the beach: The beach is right in front of the car park. If you arrive by bus there is a bus stop by the airport. Cross the road and walk down through the gate described below
Parking: Drive through the gate and down the unpaved road opposite the airport. The bus stop is right next to this road. At the end of the road there is room to park several cars
9. Melbost Beach or Braighe Beach
Melbost beach stretches along the narrow piece of land between the airport and Point. This is the best beach along the B866 and also the only sandy beach this side of Stornoway.
Another reason to visit is the historic ruins of St Columba’s Church (Eaglais na h-Aoidhe) and its churchyard. The ruins are from the 13th Century and it is the burial place for some of the chiefs who ruled the islands in later years.
Tide level: Melbost beach can be visited at any time but it is much nicer at low tide. At this time a beach appears on the opposite side of the road as well. At high tide it is completely submerged
Access to the beach: A short path leads down to the beach from the eastern end of the car park (towards Point)
Parking: Decent sized car park with toilet facilities on the left side of the road driving towards Point
LOOKING FOR MORE ON THE OUTER HEBRIDES?
