Top 10 Best South Uist Beaches (2026)
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Looking for information on the best South Uist beaches? Then you have come to the right place.
Very few of the beaches in South Uist are marked on the map or have a name. This makes them difficult to find unless you know the area well. This post will help you find the best beaches to visit.
The South Uist beach map below shows the general location of the beach and the description of contains a photo and describes how to get there and where to park.
There is also a section on how to visit the beaches by public transport at the end of the post.
Where Are the Best Beaches on South Uist?
Beaches run along the whole western coast of the 20 miles long island. To make it easier to plan a visit the beaches are listed from north to south rather than ranking them one to ten.
The best beaches are on the northern end of the island. Here you have long white sandy beaches and tidal strait with view of the mountains or Benbecula in the distance.
In the middle of the island the scenery is out to sea making these beaches less varied. At the southern tip the beaches are smaller but the backdrop is more interesting with the islands of Eriskay and Barra in the background.
Like most of the beaches in the Outer Hebrides the beaches on South Uist are best visited at low tide but for some it is more important than others. If you should try to be at a specific beach at low tide this is noted under “tide level” in the description below.
Where Are the Best Beaches on Uist?
The best beaches in Uist (North and South Uist) are:
- Clachan sands – North Uist
- Malacleit beach – North Uist
- Stilgarry beach – South Uist
- Beaches on the Udal peninsula – North Uist
- Kilaulay beach – South Uist
People often talk about Uist beaches which includes both the beaches on North Uist and South Uist. From the name you would think the two islands were next to each other but in fact they are separated by the islands of Benbecula and Grimsay.
Although the South Uist beaches are pretty they are not as nice as the ones on some of the other islands close by. Going north to North Uist you will find Traigh Iar Beach and Machair on the Udal peninsula and on Berneray West beach.
Eriskay is the island south of South Uist. The two islands are connected by a causeway making it easy to explore the beaches on Eriskay.
It is also possible to do a day trip to see Eoligarry beach on Isle of Barra and Traigh a Bhaigh on Vatersay. The ferry to Barra takes 40-minutes and it is a short drive to the beaches on Vatersay since there is a causeway linking the two islands.
To explore South Uist and Eriskay spend at least two nights in a South Uist bed and breakfast. I recommend spending a similar amount of time in one of the best hotels on North Uist.
South Uist Beach Map
South Uist Beaches
1. Tidal Strait by Iochdar
The tidal strait is between South Uist and Benbecula. It is the best place on South Uist to visit for the typical Outer Hebrides scenery of white sand as far as the eye can see.
Tide Level: At low tide only, at high tide the sea comes all the way up to shore.
Parking: The best places to see the strait is by the Jewellery Café in Iochdar on South Uist or Liniclate beach On Benbecula. This is because you can both park and get down to the beach from these locations.
The scenery in these two locations is very different. By the Jewellery Café you get the above view of the village in the distance.
From Liniclate beach you don’t get the same wide areas of white sand but the mountains further south provide a more interesting background.
To look for otters stop either side of the causeway which links South Uist and Benbecula. Otters are difficult to see but you have the highest chance at dawn or two hours before high tide.
Access to the beach: It is only possible to access the beach at low tide.
2. Kilaulay Beach
The lobster pots on the shore and the number of fishing boats moored in the bay tells you this is more of a working beach than one for swimming or recreation. However, it is also great for walking and you will often see locals and tourists out with their dogs.
Tide Level: Best at low tide.
Parking: Parking is next to a couple of small boats and fishing equipment, a few 100 metres before you get to Kilulay. The What3words for the parking is musically.clerk.frail.
Access to the beach: The parking is right in front of the beach.
3. Ardivachar / Stilgarry Beach
The beach stretches for miles between Ardivachar and Howmore. It is prettiest at the northern end where you can see Beinn Mhor in the distance.
Close to the parking area you often see people enjoying the view but walk a little further south and you will have the beach to yourself. This is also where the beach is the prettiest.
Tide Level: Best at low tide.
Parking: On google maps you will see Aird a Mhachair a little further west from Kilaulay. Drive past this location until you get to a cemetery.
The cemetery is not marked on google maps but it is marked on the app maps.me. It is called Ardivachar and there is a good sized carpark.
You can’t really miss the parking but to help you find the exact location the What3words for the parking is writing.takeovers.adjusting
Access to the beach: The cemetery is at the very northern end of the beach where you often get lots of seaweed building up.
Walk on the road past the cemetery. Before the small house on the right hand side of the road take the sandy track to the right down to the beach. When it has been raining this can sometimes look more like a small river.
4. Stoneybridge Beach
There are two beaches in this location, one on each side of the peninsula close to Ardmichael cemetery.
The beach further north is rocky. The beach to the south is more impressive but neither can compete with the other beaches on this list.
On your way south to the next beach on the list stop at Ormacleit castle.
Tide Level: Not important.
Parking: Drive through Stoneybridge and on to Ardmichael cemetery where you can park.
Access to the beach: It is a short walk to both beaches mentioned above.
Had your fill of beaches? Explore some of the top things to do in South Uist
5. Kildonan Beach
In the early summer months the machair behind the beach is more of a reason to come here than the beach itself. The beach is easily accessible but many of the beaches along this stretch look very similar and this is no exception.
Tide Level: Not important.
Parking: Driving south take a right at Kildonan, the exit is about 200 metres before Kildonan museum.
At the end of the tarmacked road it looks like you should stop and park but as long as you drive slowly and carefully it is ok to drive the last few hundred metres to the beach on the bumpy road.
Park where the road turns sharp left. The road continues but unless you have a car with high ground clearance it is best to park here.
Access to the beach: You can park right by the beach. Make sure you visit the beach below at the same time.
6. Frobost Headland and Beach
On the other side of the headland (further south) from Kildonan beach is a horseshoe-shaped bay.
From here and all the way down to Gearraidh na Monadh is the longest beach on South Uist. However, since it weaves in and out of different bays it is described as different beaches below.
Tide Level: Not important.
Parking: Same as for Kildonan beach.
Access to the beach: It is a 5-10 minute walk along the farm tracks. The sea will be on your right and in the early summer colourful machair on your left.
7. Askernish Beach / Daliburgh Beach
An 18-hole golf course runs next to the beach with views out to sea. It is fantastic if you want to play golf but means that there are not many places to access the beach.
The best place to get down to the beach is a little further south in Daliburgh which is why this is sometimes referred to as Daliburgh beach.
The Cicerone guide to Walking in Uist and Barra describes a circular walk along the beach and the historic site of the Clad Hallan roundhouses.
Tide Level: Not important.
Parking: In Dailburgh drive towards Hallan Cemetery where there is a large carpark.
Access to the beach: 150 metres south of the car park a path turns right towards the beach. It is about a kilometre to the beach past the Cladh Hallan roundhouses.
Buy the Cicerone Guide Book to Walking on Uist and Barra
8. Gearraidh na Monadh Beach
You might see motorhomes parked here but please camp at one of the designated spots to protect the local environment. In South Uist the only place you are allowed to stay overnight in a motorhome is at the Kilbridge campsite.
Tide Level: Not important.
Parking: Where the tarmacked road ends continue left on the gravel road to the parking area.
Access to the beach: The beach is right in front of where you park.
Also visiting North Uist? Read my guide to things to do on North Uist
9. Polochar Inn Beach
The beach is between Polochar Inn and Smercleit.
At the end of the headland in Smercleit is a large house. Together with the black rocks visible at low tide this makes the views from close to Polochar Inn more interesting than in the opposite direction.
Tide Level: Not important.
Parking: Shortly before the standing stone and the Polochar Inn park next to the road. You can also park close to Smercleit where the road runs along the beach.
Access to the beach: Both parking areas are right next to the beach.
10. Kilbridge Beach
In front of the Kilbridge café and campsite is a small bay. It is not the most spectacular of the South Uist beaches but worth the trip across the road when going to the café.
The café is more of a reason to come here than the beach since it has great views out to sea – especially if you are lucky enough to come on a day when you can sit outside.
Either side of Kilbridge beach there are other small beaches. By scrambling over the large rock you can get to the beach on the western side.
The beach to the east is over the hill by Tigh na Mara Art and Antiques gallery. The road over the hill is single lane and a blind spot so be careful if you are walking. Alternatively, park by the art gallery.
Tide Level: Not important.
Access to the beach: Next to the road opposite the cafe.
Parking: At the Kilbridge camping and café.
How to Visit the South Uist Beaches by Public Transport or Bike
Buses operate all over the Outer Hebrides but the best way to see the islands and its beaches is by car. There are car rental companies in Lochboisdale and at Benbecula but you will normally get a better price renting a car for your whole holiday from the airport in Glasgow or Inverness.
Book your car hire with Rental Cars
By Bus: The most useful bus route is the W17 called South Uist Balivanich to Eriskay which operates Monday to Saturday. It travels from the Carnan Store at the top of South Uist to Ludag and South Glendale in the south before going on to Eriskay.
At the northern end of the island the bus stops in Iochdar but it is a long walk to beach number two and three mentioned above.
Travelling south nearly all the bus stops are along the A865 except for in Stoneybridge village. However, it is still a long walk to the beach from here.
At the southern end of the island the A865 runs along the coast making the beaches around Polochar Inn and the Kilbridge Campsite the easiest to visit by bus.
By Bike: On the eastern side of the island are the mountains around Beinn Mhor but the roads and the beaches are on the much flatter western side. This makes South Uist a great place to cycle.
The island is 20 miles long and note that buses in South Uist will generally not take bikes, so remember that you will have to cycle back at the end of the day. Travelling north to south you are also more likely to have the wind against you.
Some cottages have bikes that guests can borrow, otherwise rent one at Lasgair Bike Hire in Lochboisdale or HEB E-Bike Hire on Grimsay.
HEB E-Bike rents out e-bikes and will deliver and pick up the bike from your accommodation or ferry port. The bikes have a 50-mile battery range allowing the average cyclist to explore further than on a conventional bike.
What Is the Main Town on Uist?
The main village in South Uist is Lochboisdale all the way down south. The main village in North Uist is Lochmaddy on the east coast. Both have shops, restaurants and a ferry terminal. To see the available routes have a look at my Outer Hebrides ferry map. There are no towns on the islands.
Are North and South Uist Connected?
Yes, North and South Uist are connected by a series of causeways so no ferry is required to travel between the islands. There are two islands in between North and Sout Uist – Benbecula and Grimsay. In fact, it is possible to drive all the way from Berneray in the north to Eriskay in the south on causeways.
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