11 Best Arisaig Beaches
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Looking for the best Arisaig beaches? Then you have come to the right place.
There are so many beaches between Arisaig and Morar it can be difficult to know which ones to visit.
To make it even more complicated, many of the beaches are not marked on the map. Others can only be accessed by walking through campsites and are therefore only open to customers.
Another difficulty is parking.
To help you plan your trip I have visited all the best beaches in Arisaig.
Below you will find detailed information on each beach including where to park, how to access the beach and a photo. The post has everything you need to help you decide on where to go and how to plan your visit.
Arisaig Beach Map
These beaches are often described as Mallaig beaches, but there are no beaches in Mallaig itself. They are also best beaches near Fort William.
The beaches listed here are located between the small villages of Morar and Arisaig which are a short drive from Mallaig. Beach lovers often visit this area for its sandy shores and clear waters.
Although some can be difficult to find unless you know where they are. Many of the beaches don’t have a name and are not shown on Google maps.
To make it easier for you to find them they are listed in order, starting with the beaches near Mallaig and moving south towards Arisaig.
For each beach not marked on Google maps the what3words location for the parking or the beach itself is included.
Strictly speaking, the first beach on the list is located in Morar and is called Silver Sands. Arisaig beach guides often include this beach to give a full overview of the beaches along the B8008. That is why it is also included on this list.
What is the Best Beach in Arisaig?
This is subjective but there are three beaches that are most often mentioned – Camusdarach beach, Silver Sands of Morar and Traigh beach. Make sure you visit all three.
Silver Sands of Morar is known for its fine white sand and you can often find your own private area.
Camusdarach beach is the longest and most impressive but personally I prefer Traigh Beach.
The reason I like this beach the most is that it is not one beach but many smaller ones. They are located around a bay and offer quite different views depending on where you are.
Behind the beach are low hills and out to sea you can see the Small Isles in the distance.
The 8 Best Arisaig Beaches with Public Access
1. Silver Sands of Morar
Silver Sands of Morar is close to Morar village. It is a series of beaches along the Morar River stretching from the A830 all the way out to where the river meets the sea.
On the map it looks like there is a wide sandy beach on both sides of the River Morar. That is not the case.
The southeastern side (along the B8008) is the one shown in the photo above and this is the side you should plan to visit. The parking described below is for this side of the river.
On the western side (closest to Mallaig) it is a long walk before the beach becomes sandy. Closer to the A830 the beach is stony, and at low tide muddy.
The beach is popular with families and dog walkers.
Parking: Free parking is available for a couple of cars along the B8008 at the what3words location unwraps.contact.assess.
Since it is a very popular beach don’t expect to find a free space.
Close by is the paid parking called Morar Beach Car Park. Parking charges can be paid by cash, phone or credit card.
The car park has toilets and a couple of paces for motor homes to park overnight.
Access to the beach: From the free parking area access to the beach is from across the road.
From the paid parking it is a short walk down to the beach from a marked footpath. Pretty much right away the path splits into several smaller paths but it doesn’t matter which one you follow. All paths lead to the beach.
Tide level: The tide level makes a significant difference to how wide the beach is. High tide is best for swimming.
Come at low tide to walk all the way out to where the river meets the sea.
Read my guide to Silver Sands beach to plan your visit
2. Camusdarach Beach
Camusdarach beach is the most well-known of the beaches in Arisaig.
It is the longest and most impressive beach along this part of the coast. It also provides fantastic views out to the Small Isles of Rum, Eigg and Muck.
This beach is worth visiting whatever the weather. On a stormy day the waves crash in. When the sun is shining this is one of the most popular beaches for swimming and just spending a lazy day.
Parking: Camusdarach Beach Car Park is free. However, it is small given how popular the beach is.
The car park fills up early in the morning during the summer, especially on a sunny day and during school holidays.
There are no alternative places to park in the area so get there early.
Access to the beach: It is a 5-minute walk on a sandy track out to the beach. People sometimes bring bikes along the track but it is hard going.
After crossing the bridge from the car park take the first right for the shortest and easiest route to the beach.
Tide level: Not important
Read my Camusdarach beach guide to plan your visit
3. Unnamed Arisaig Beach 1
This beach is more difficult to access both in terms of parking and because it is a short walk away. As a result it is one of the quietest beaches on the list.
Parking: Along the B8008 at the what3words location of pipe.voted.customers there is space for 2 or 3 cars to park. If this area is full the closest alternative parking is at Traigh Beach. This area also fills up early on a sunny day.
Access to the beach: Walk past the beach described below and continue on the path over the headland. On the other side is a small beach.
The beach itself is at the what3words location snowmen.refutes.grips.
Tide level: Not important
4. Unnamed Arisaig Beach 2
When driving past you can hardly see the beach. This is why you can often find locals having a barbecue or picnic on this beach on a summer’s evening.
Despite being right next to the road this beach feels surprisingly secluded.
Parking: Same as above
Access to the beach: Cross the road from the parking and follow the small track down to the beach. It is only a few metres from the road.
Tide level: Not important
5. Unnamed Arisaig Beach 3
North of Traigh Beach is a smaller beach which runs along the road. On a clear day it has better views out to Eigg and Rum but the beach itself is not as scenic as Traigh Beach.
Parking: Park at the Traigh Beaches Car Park (see below).
Access to the beach: From the car park follow the path to the right (looking towards the caravan site). It takes you through the machair for a couple of hundred metres before arriving at the beach.
Tide level: Not important
6. Traigh Beach
Right next to the golf course and Silversands camp site is Traigh Beach. Arisaig has three must visit beaches and this is one of them. The other two are Camusdarach beach and Silver Sands of Morar.
What makes this one special is that there are several smaller beaches around a bay. The views are different depending on the beach.
The beach is great for swimming and other water sports such as kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding. Make sure you get the tide level right because it really matters here.
Parking: The parking for the beach is called Traigh Beaches Car Park. It is free to park but like all the other car parks it is small. As a result it can be difficult to find a parking space.
Close to the toilets is a short stay and a disabled parking area.
It can be chaotic here in the summer. The road is narrow and people often park on the road making it difficult to pass.
Don’t use the parking next to the Silversands Caravan and Camp site. This is for golfers only.
Access to the beach: The parking is right next to the beach.
Tide level: Swimming and water sports are only possible around high tide. At low tide there is hardly any water left in the bay.
Read my Traigh beach guide to plan your visit
7. Woodler’s Beach
This is the only beach around Back of Keppoch which is not accessed through a campsite.
It is not as pretty as the beaches further along the B8008 towards Mallaig. Beach hopping the area visit these other beaches instead.
Parking: There is room for a couple of cars to park along the road at the what3words location surprises.dupe.cello.
Access to the beach: It is right next to the road.
Tide level: Not important.
8. Morroch Beach
Morroch beach is along the bay in front of Arisaig village. The other Arisaig beaches are white sandy beaches but Morroch beach has grey stones and mud at low tide.
Have a look at the beach as you wander through Arisaig village. However its better to come for the village rather than the beach. There are more interesting things to do near Arisaig than this beach.
There are several coffee shops and restaurants with beautiful views out towards the islands of Eigg and Rum.
Parking: In the village or at the marina.
Access to the beach: The beach is accessible from anywhere along the main road through the village.
Tide level: The tide makes a significant difference to how Morroch bay looks.
At low tide it is all mud whilst at high tide the water comes nearly all the way to the edge of the village. Have a look when you happen to be in the village but don’t time your visit for a particular tide level.
The 3 Best Arisaig Beaches on Caravan Sites
Many of the beaches in Arisiag are only accessible when staying at one of the campsites along the coast.
This is particularly true for the beaches around the Back of Keppoch which is the area closest to Arisaig. Scotland laws give the public the right to roam but some areas, such as campsites, are still fenced off.
If you are not staying at the campsite, if you ask permission, you might be allowed to view the beaches which are accessed through the campsite.
There is no parking close to any of the below beaches unless you are staying at the campsites.
The good news is that none of the beaches accessed through the campsites can compare to the top beaches mentioned above.
Many of the campsite pitches have fantastic views but you are not missing out by only visiting the beaches open to the public.
9. Invercambie Caravan and Camping Beach
Part of the campsite looks out over the beach with the islands of the Small Isles in the distance. The other looks across the bay to one of the other campsites in the area.
On the beach is a volleyball net and a hammock. Many people go kayaking from here.
10. Croft Caravan and Camping Site beach
At this no-frills campsite the pitches look out over the beach.
In addition to a longer beach along the campsite there are several smaller beaches further out in the bay. These are perfect to explore by kayak or at low tide.
11. Tigh na Mara Campsite & Pods Beach
At the campsite is a small bay popular for water sports and swimming.
There are several other small bays that you can walk to at low tide. Keep an eye on the tide though since it comes in quickly when it turns.
Places to Stay in Arisaig
There are not many places to stay in Arisaig except for campsites and pods. Two options are:
- The Old Library and Lodge – Arisaig village – This is a historic inn and the closest you get to a hotel in Arisaig. It is the best accommodation in the area and it has beautiful views of the bay. Click here to check price and availability.
- Seann Airidh B&B – Back of Keppoch – A small B&B with great breakfast. Another benefit is the location which is close to all the beaches. Dogs are welcome. Click here to check price and availability.
How to Travel to the Beaches in Arisaig
By Car: The easiest way to travel anywhere in the Scottish countryside is by car. The problem with the beaches near Arisaig is that there is very little parking.
The three main beaches (Silver Sand, Camusdarach and Traigh Beach) have car parks but they are small given how popular the area is.
This means that on a nice day during the summer you need to arrive early to be able to get a parking space. There are no alternative places to park.
Book your car hire with Rental Cars
By Bike: Whether you are staying at one of the campsites in the area, in Mallaig or in Fort William, getting around by bike is an excellent option.
Most of the beaches are a long walk from the closest train station but by bike it is easily doable.
Bikes can be hired in Mallaig from:
In Fort William bikes can be hired from:
You can bring your bike on the train so try cycling between Morar and Arisaig and stop at the beaches along the way. The distance between these two stations is 12 miles. If that sounds too far then hire an Ebike!
One thing to note is that some trains require you to book a ticket for your bike. The tickets are free.
By Train: Local trains between Fort William and Mallaig stop at the train stations in Arisaig and Morar.
Morroch beach is in Arisaig village but it is muddy and not particularly picturesque. The other beaches on this list are some distance away so a bike is a much better option than walking.
The most easily accessible beach for anyone travelling by train is Silver Sands of Morar. It is a 30 minute walk from Morar station.
By Bus: No buses run along the B8008, which is where all the Arisaig beaches are accessed from. There are only three bus stops in the area, Morar, Arisaig and at the Back of Keppoch by Cnoc na Faire hotel.
To give you an idea of walking times from the bus stops, Silver Sands of Morar is a 30 minute walk from Morar station (2.3km one way).
From Cnoc na Faire hotel Traigh Beach is a 35 minute walk (2.8km) and Camusdarach one hour and 10 minutes (5.1km).
Check the latest schedule before travelling.
FAQ on the Beaches in Arisaig
Does Arisaig have a beach?
Yes, Arisaig has a beach. In fact the area has several amazing beaches that are great for swimming and other water sports. They are also popular for walking.
Can you swim at Arisaig?
Yes, you can swim at Arisaig. There are several beaches where you can swim such as Traigh beach, Camusdarach beach and Silver Sands of Morar. All the lesser-known beaches on this list are suitable for swimming too.
What other activities can you do at the beaches in Arisaig?
The area is popular with kayakers and stand-up paddle boarders. It is easy to see why since there are many small bays to explore and on a sunny day the water is crystal clear.
At low tide you will meet many people out walking and you can walk for miles along the coast from one small bay to the next.
Are dogs allowed on the beaches?
Yes, dogs are allowed on the beaches. It is a popular place to walk your dog.
Is there an entrance fee to the beaches?
All the beaches are free to visit but at Silver Sands of Morar there is a fee for parking.
What amenities are on the beaches?
Arisaig village, Traigh Beach and Silver Sands of Morar have toilet facilities but none of the other beaches do.
There are no changing facilities or any other amenities in the area.
Are there any cafes or restaurants near the beaches?
There are few cafes and restaurants in the area.
Instead, bring a picnic or a barbecue to have on the beach. Please note that only portable barbecues are allowed. Do not light a fire on the beach.
For cafes and restaurants Arisaig village has more and better options than Morar.
In Arisaig there are two coffee shops, the Arisaig Marine tearoom and Soundbytes on the main road.
For a more substantial meal both hotels in Arisaig village have a restaurant. The two hotels are The Old Lodge and Library and Arisaig Hotel.
At the weekends there is a third option, the Arisaig Shellfish shack. They serve seafood platters and sandwiches.
What is the best time to visit the beaches?
For the best chance of good weather visit in the summer months. May and June are often sunnier whilst July and August are warmer. Autumn and spring can also be great months with fewer tourists.
One thing to consider if visiting between May and early September is midges. They are mainly a problem during the evening and a breeze helps keep them away. Don’t let the thought of midges stop you visiting.
Final Thoughts on Mallaig Beaches
Arisaig has some of the most picturesque beaches in Scotland. With white sand and crystal-clear waters, it is the perfect destination for a day at the beach. Mallaig is close by and Fort William only a short drive away. Yet the beaches are not well known.
Whether you are looking for relaxation or adventure, these shores have something for everyone.
Don’t miss the chance to explore the beauty of Arisaig’s beaches on your next visit to Scotland!
LOOKING FOR MORE ON ARISAIG AND MORAR?
The Best Silver Sands of Morar Beach Guide
Camusdarach Beach: The Best Visitor Guide
Traigh Beach: Everything You Need to Know
