How to Visit Talisker Bay Beach And Talisker Waterfall

Talisker Bay beach is a black sand beach surrounded by tall cliffs and featuring the 130 metre high Talisker waterfall.

It might not be your standard white sandy beach which this part of Scotland is known for, but it is my favourite beach on Skye.

If you arrive early or late and you might have the beach and the waterfall to yourself, something that is unusual on Skye.

It also means you will meet less traffic on the narrow single lane track which runs the last few kilometres from Carbost to Talisker Bay. Parking at the end of this road will also be easier.

It is a 20-minute walk to the beach so allow at least 1 hour in total for your visit.

Where Is Talisker Bay Beach And Talisker Waterfall?

Talisker Bay beach and waterfall are on the west coast of the Isle of Skye in Scotland. A short drive from the Talisker distillery in Carbost.

The Talisker waterfall is at the northern end of the beach.

Are Talisker Bay Beach and Waterfall Worth Visiting?

Yes, Talisker Bay beach and waterfall are worth visiting.

The steep cliffs on both sides give the beach a secluded feeling. With the sea stacks at one end and one of the most spectacular waterfalls on Skye at the other there is more to see and explore than just the beach.

Skye has some of the most striking scenery in Scotland such as the Quiraing hike and the Old Man of Storr. The few beaches Skye have are stunning but they are not the wide white sandy beaches you might be expecting.

Talisker bay beach has black sand. Anyone looking for white sandy beaches which look like they could be in the Maldives should try Coral beach in Dunvegan instead.

Can You Drive To Talisker Bay Beach?

Yes, you can drive to Talisker Bay but not all the way to the beach itself.

From the end of the single lane road it is a 20-minute, easy walk on a gravel path to the beach.

How to Access the Beach

On the map it looks like the road goes all the way to the beach, but that is not the case. You must park at the area marked with a ‘P’ on the map above.

From here a wide gravel path takes you the last 1.7 km/ 20 minutes to the beach.

After the gate where the gravel road ends there is a section of small boulders before the beach. The path meets the beach by the sea stacks, which are at the southern end.

The waterfall is at the other end of the beach. Although the beach will have lying water across parts you can walk nearly all the way up to the Talisker waterfall around low tide.

How to Get To Talisker Bay?

Buses run to Carbost (bus schedule can be found here), but it is too far to walk from Carbost to Talisker Bay. Skye has limited public transport so I highly recommend renting a car for your trip.

By car a single lane road runs all the way from Carbost to the beach. For anyone using a satnav the postcode for Talisker Beach is IV47 8SF.

Where to Park For Talisker Bay Beach?

There is no car park for the beach. Parking is along the single land track and there is not space for too many cars.

It can therefore be chaotic in the summer and difficult to turn. Arrive early or late for easier parking.

Make sure you park without obstructing the track or the small turning area at the end of the track. The turning area is not a parking area, although it is marked as such on some maps.

How Long to Spend At Talisker Bay?

The walk to the beach takes 15-20 minutes.

Plan to spend 1-2 hours in total visiting the beach. 1 hour will allow you to see the places described in this post but not enough time to properly appreciate the sea stacks or the waterfall.

What Time of Day to Visit?

As you would expect most people arrive in the middle of the day. At this time it can be difficult to park since there is no official parking area and only a few places to park along the road.

Arrive early morning or late afternoon (5pm onward) when there are fewer people visiting.

Everybody on Skye seems to watch sunset from Neist Point lighthouse. However, Talisker Bay is just as nice for sunset and you might have the beach to yourself.

What Tide Level to Visit At?

All the beaches on Skye are more spectacular at low tide. The beaches are wider and more impressive. The same goes for Talisker Bay beach.

Try to avoid the couple of hours either side of high tide but otherwise time of day is more important than tide level.

You can walk close to the Talisker waterfall around low tide but there is no reason to get this close. After the sand ends there are many slippery stones and views of the waterfall are better from the main beach.

Can You Swim At Talisker Bay Beach?

Yes, you can swim at Talisker Bay beach but the water is freezing!

It is a shallow and open beach. Swimming is best at high tide on calm days. There can be big waves so use common sense when assessing if its safe to swim.

Best Viewpoints

You can see all the main viewpoints by doing the short Talisker bay walk described below.

As you approach the beach the Talisker Bay sea stacks will be in front of you. Walk towards the sea stacks before continuing along the beach.

My favourite part of the walk is around the middle of the beach. Here you will find black sand and around low tide you will see the beautiful patterns featured in the photos above.

A little further on there are great views of the waterfall. At low tide you can get close to it, but to be honest it is not worth walking right up to the waterfall.

After the sand ends there are lots of slippery stones. You will get better views of the waterfall from the main beach.

Retrace your steps until you get to the river close to the middle of the beach (where the fenced of sheep field ends).

There is a wide river running behind the beach but you can cross it by hopping carefully from one stone to the next. After crossing the river walk along the grass bank back to the track where you entered.

Alternatively you can walk back along the beach.

Other Things to Do in the Area

The other top thing to do on Skye around Carbost is to visit the Talisker distillery. It is open 10am to 5pm every day.

Restaurant and Cafes Nearby

There are no cafes or restaurants close to the beach so bring a picnic. Alternatively try one of the below options in Carbost:

• Café Cuil: The best choice for lunch, coffee or cakes. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm
• Caora Coffee Shop: Has excellent coffee but there is no inside seating and limited outside seating
• Three Chimneys at Talisker distillery: Requires advance reservation. Having been to the original Three Chimneys I didn’t think the food was worth the price
• Oyster Shed: A delicatessen that serves fresh seafood. Standing tables and take-away only

Where to Stay

For longer stays try one of the many rental cottages around Carbost. For stays of less than a week my recommendations are not in Carbost itself but close by:

• Top End: Ullenish House – With its remote location and sea views it is my favourite place to stay on Skye – but it is not cheap. Check rates and availability here
• Mid-range: The Captain’s Place – Well designed and modern this is the perfect place for anyone who wants their own space. Although not cheap the fact that you can make your own meals make this a mid-range option. Check rates and availability here
• Budget: Harlosh Hideaways – There are pods closer to Talisker beach but the amenities in the kitchen and the clever use of space is why it makes this list. Check rates and availability here

Final Thoughts

Being further away from the other main sites on the Trotternish peninsula many people don’t visit to Talisker Bay beach. Don’t make the same mistake!

Skye is amazing and spectacular, but for me, many of the sights have become swamped with tourists. It takes more effort to find the less visited parts of Skye and Talisker Bay is one of those places.

Arrive late or early and you might have the beach to yourself. Remoteness and solitude is what makes the Scottish islands so special.