The Ultimate Vatersay Beach and Island Guide (2026)
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Wondering how to visit Vatersay beach or Vatersay bay?
Then you are in the right place.
People often ask “where is Vatersay beach?” But there is no beach called Vatersay beach or Vatersay bay. What most people think of when they say this is Traigh a Bhaigh which is also called East beach.
In total there are 12 beaches on Vatersay. Traigh a Bhaigh is beach number 1 below but don’t make the mistake of only visiting this one beach.
Most don’t show up in a Google search and are not shown on Google Maps. The only way to find them is to explore every bay in Vatersay, which I have done for you.
Use this list to get the inside knowledge on the Vatersay beaches and to help plan your trip.
Have a look at the Vatersay beach map below, read the descriptions and look at the photos of each beach in order to decide on which beaches to visit.
Vatersay is a small island at only 9 square miles so it can easily be explored in a day. Most people come on a day trip from Barra.
How Important are Tide Levels?
Most of the Hebridean beaches are most picturesque at low tide but it matters less on Vatersay than it does on Barra. Certain beaches on Barra beaches such as Traigh Mhor (the airport beach) and Eoligarry beach are worth the effort to see at low tide.
Can You Swim at the Beaches in Vatersay?
Yes you can swim at some of the beaches on Vatersay.
The most popular swimming beaches are Eilean Caragraich in Uidh and Traigh a Bhaigh close to the village in Vatersay. Scotland has many picture perfect white sandy beaches but some have strong currents and all have freezing water so always check with locals that it is safe to swim.
Other Beach Activities
The beaches facing north or east have less waves than the beaches facing west since they are protected from the swells coming in from the Atlantic Ocean. This makes them suitable for kayaking and paddle boarding on calm days.
Vatersay Beach Map
- Traigh a Bhaigh – East Beach (also called Vatersay beach or Vatersay bay)
- Traigh Shiar – West Beach
- Bagh a Deas – South Bay
- Unnamed Beach on Vatersay’s South Coast
- First Beach by Ruins of Eoligarry
- Second Beach by Ruins of Eoligarry
- Eilean Caragraich
- First Unnamed Beach in Uidh
- Second Unnamed Beach in Uidh
- Third Unnamed Beach in Uidh
- First Unnamed Beach in Caolas
- Second Unnamed Beach by Caolas
Vatersay Beaches
The descriptions have been divided into 3 based on geographic location
- Beaches by Vatersay village (beach 1-6)
- Beaches at the Uidh peninsula (beach 7-10)
- Beaches by Caolas (beach 11-12)
All the areas are worth exploring. Around Vatersay village, which is at the southern end of the island, the beaches have pure white sand and amazing shades of blue water.
Around Uidh are pretty bays with fantastic views to Barra and Castlebay. You can even see Kisimul castle in the distance.
Around Caolas the beaches might not be as large or pretty. But the unnamed beach marked as beach number 11 is the location on Vatersay with the most colourful machair during late spring and early summer months.
Beaches by Vatersay Village
1. Traigh a Bhaigh – East Beach
Traigh a Bhaigh is a half a mile long beach with bright white sand at the southern end of Vatersay. The beach is also often called Vatersay beach or Vatersay bay.
This is the beach everybody comes to Vatersay to see and where you will find the much photographed “Vatersay beach gate”.
There are actually two gates close to one another but the one most often photographed is the gate for the main access to the beach.
From Vatersay Hall Café go down the hill towards the village. The gate is on the left hand side before the parking area (which is on the right).
Traigh a Bhaigh is also the most popular swimming beach on the island. The northern end of the beach has fine white sand so this is the best part of the beach for swimming or to spend a day on the beach.
The southern end of the beach is quieter because it is rockier and it has some seaweed on the beach at low tide.
Tide Level: Best at low tide
Beach access: Access the northern end of the beach through the Vatersay gate. For the southern end take a left at the end of Vatersay village
Parking: There is a small car park by Vatersay Hall Café but this often is full. Close by is another car park on the right by the Annie Jane Monument. If both of these are full drive on to Vatersay village where there are two further areas to park.
One is just before the T-junction. The second you get to by taking a left at the T-junction. The parking in the village is less likely to be full. This is because most people go to the café or the northern end of the beach which is a bit of a distance from the village
2. Traigh Shiar – West Beach
Despite it being close to Traigh a Bhaigh, few people visit Traigh Shiar. It might be because waves and wind bring in more seaweed and drift wood so it doesn’t have the picture pristine white sand of Triagh a Bhaig.
It is also not as good for swimming but it is a perfect place for a walk or watching the sun set in the sea.
Tide Level: Not important
Beach access: The beach is a short walk from the road or Traigh a Bhaigh.
Much of the area is fenced off for cattle but there are a couple of paths going to the beach. The most useful ones are next to the Vatersay Hall Café, by the parking for the Annie Jane Monument or at the end of Vatersay village
Parking: Same as for Traigh a Bhaigh
3. Bagh a Deas – South Bay
Of the four beaches along the southern end of Vatersay this is the largest and the most spectacular.
Except for the cows roaming the area it is often quiet since it takes a little time and effort to get here.
But it is definitely worth it, especially on a sunny day when the colour of the sand and the water could make you think that you were in South East Asia rather than Northern Scotland.
Tide Level: Best at low tide
Beach access: The beach is only accessible on foot. The quickest way to get here is on a 10-15 min walk past the cemetery in Vatersay village.
To see more of the island do the 3 hour Vatersay Heritage Trail around the southern tip of the peninsula. This passes beach numbers 1-6 as well as all of the other things to do in Vatersay as set out below
Parking: Park in Vatersay village. There is one car park just before the T junction and a second taking the left at the T-junction. This parking is normally less busy than the one by the Vatersay Hall Café
Read my Bagh a Deas Guide for everything you need to know to plan a visit to this amazing beach and get directions for the Vatersay Heritage Trail or buy the Cicerone Guide to walking on Barra and Uist.
Buy the Cicerone Guide Book to Walking on Uist and Barra
4. Unnamed Beach on Vatersay’s South Coast
Tide Level: Best at low tide, at high tide there is little left of the beach
Beach access: The most interesting way to get here is on the Vatersay Heritage Trail. Alternatively, from Bagh a Deas follow the track on the western end of the beach for about 100 metres. The beach is on your left by the cattle gate
Parking: Same as for Bagh a Deas
5. First Beach by Ruins of Eoligarry
In front of the ruins at Eoligarry is a pebble beach. Nearly all the other Vatersay beaches are sandy so with the pebbles and the ruins in the background the difference in the landscape makes for an interesting change.
The ruins might look ancient but the houses were only abandoned in the 1970s.
Tide Level: Not important
Beach access: From Bagh a Deas it is less than a mile along the shoreline to the beach. It takes about 20 minutes to walk between the two beaches.
From Vatersay village it is a similar distance. The path goes from the southern end of Traigh a Bhaigh across the hill. Use the app maps.me for directions
Parking: Same as for Bagh a Deas
6. Second Beach by Ruins of Eoligarry
This second beach looks more like the other beaches on the southern end of Vatersay, it has white sand and aqua marine waters.
It might only be a few minutes’ away but it couldn’t look more different to the first beach by the ruins.
When walking the Vatersay Heritage Trail around the southern end of peninsula it is easy to take a wrong turn by this beach. Backtrack to the ruins and cross back to the village to avoid a steep (and unnecessary) climb over Am Meall.
Tide Level: Not important
Beach access: The beach is less than a 100 metres east of the first beach by the Eoligarry ruins
Parking: Same as for Bagh a Deas
Beaches by the Uidh Peninsula
The four beaches on the Uidh peninsula are close together. The first three described below are close to the car park whilst the last one requires a walk.
Since most of these beaches are not marked on the map you will usually come across quite a few locals and people who know the area well. Most first timers head straight for Traigh a Bhaigh.
7. Eilean Caragraich
The largest and most visited of the beaches on the Uidh peninsula. It is also the second most popular beach on Vatersay for swimming, after Traigh a Bhaigh.
Looking out over Sheabhal hill and Kisimul castle this is the most scenic view from any Vatersay beach. Barra doesn’t seem far away and it is amazing to think that these two islands were only connected by a causeway in 1991.
Until then you needed to get a ferry to travel between the two islands.
Tide Level: Not important
Beach access: Eilean Caragraich is visible from the car park a little further out on the peninsula. Don’t mistake it for the beach below which is before the parking area
Parking: At the end of the road out to Uidh is a small parking area. This often gets full on a warm summer’s day so arrive early. The only other option is to park along the road
8. First Unnamed Beach in Uidh
A small bay before the parking area mentioned above. It is secluded and well protected since it is in the bay between Vatersay and Barra. This makes it good for swimming and other water sports
Tide Level: Not important
Beach access: A steep but short path leads down to the beach
Parking: same as above
9. Second Unnamed Beach in Uidh
Opposite Eilean Caragraich is another beach not marked on the map. It is only visible from the verge behind Eilean Caragraich.
Tide Level: The beach is significantly wider at low tide but it is not impressive enough to time your visit here for low tide
Beach access: There is a lot of fencing for cattle and sheep in the Outer Hebrides which sometimes makes getting on to the beaches a bit difficult. That is the case here and you might have to jump over a fence to get down to the beach
Parking: Same as above
10. Third Unnamed Beach in Uidh
On a clear day the Isle of Muldoanich is visible in the distance. The beaches closer to the parking area tend to attract families.
This beach is a bit hit and miss if you are looking for somewhere quiet.
Since it is a bit further away it is often deserted but you might find a group of local teenagers enjoying a day on the beach during the summer.
Tide Level: Not important
Beach access: It is only a couple of hundred metres between this beach and Eilean Caragraich but it is over a hill so it is more of an effort to get here than what it appears on the map. It is a 10-15 minute walk one way
Parking: Same as above
Planning a trip to Barra as well? Read my guide to the best things to do on Barra
Beaches in Caolas
11. First Unnamed Beach in Caolas
During the early summer months this is the best place in Vatersay for machair (wildflower fields).
The whole area around the beach comes alive with daisies, buttercups, red clovers and birds’-foot-trefoil. It is also the perfect place to watch sunset on Vatersay.
Tide Level: Not important
Beach access: From the parking area go through the metal gate. From here it is c.500 metres to the beach. Cattle often roam between the road and the beach so make sure you give any bulls a wide berth
Parking: At Caolas bus stop take a right rather than continuing on the road towards Vatersay village. Drive until the end of the road where there is room to park a couple of cars on the side of the road
12. Second Unnamed Beach by Caolas
Tide Level: At high tide there is only a narrow line of rocks left at this Vatersay beach. Isle of Barra has a few beaches such as Traigh Mhor, the airport beach, where it is important to time your visit for low tide.
This unnamed beach in Caolas is not impressive enough to worry about tide levels
Beach access: Travelling from Barra towards Vatersay village turn right by Caolas bus stop. The beach is located next to the road
Parking: Park along the road
Other Things to Do on Vatersay
1. Go for a Walk
Vatersay is the starting point of the 156 miles Hebridean Way. The official place to start from is at the northern end of Traigh a Bhaigh close to the Vatersay Hall Café.
Most people hike from Vatersay to the Butt of Lewis because of the direction of the wind and the sun. Walking this way you will have the wind and sun behind you, which makes it more comfortable.
Unless you are fit and have planned your holiday around this 14-day long hike, the 3 hour long Vatersay Heritage Trail is a bit more achievable. This trail passes all of the places listed below as well as beaches 1-6 listed above.
A high level description of the route is included in my Bagh a Deas Guide or buy the Cicerone Guide to Vatersay and Barra which has a more detailed description.
Buy the Cicerone Guide Book to Walking on Uist and Barra
2. Ruins by Eorasdail
In the early 1900s fishermen from Mingulay Island moved to Vatersay. Life was getting too difficult on the small island further south.
The only problem for the fishermen was that they didn’t own the land in southern Vatersay where they built their houses. The absentee landlord, who apparently had only been to Vatersay once, tried to use the courts to evict them.
In the end the Scottish Agriculture Board bought the land and divided it into crofts.
The houses look more ancient than they actually are and the area was only abandoned in the 1970s.
3. Standing Stone
A single standing stone is located in a beautiful spot with great views to the islands further south. Like many other such stones across Scotland little is known about what it was used for or why it was placed there.
4. Annie Jane Memorial
In 1853 the emigrant sailing ship called Annie Jane was on its way to Quebec when it ran aground in a storm close Traigh Shiar.
The memorial by the parking area after the Vatersay Hall Cafe commemorates the 350 children, men and women who died in the shipwreck.
5. Machair (Wildflowers)
Machair is the Gaelic name for the wildflower fields found close to many of the beaches in the Outer Hebrides.
The time of year the wildflowers appear depends on the weather but normally it is at some point between end of May and mid-July. They are at their most colourful at the first unnamed beach in Caolas which is described above.
Vatersay Restaurants and Cafes
The Vatersay Hall Café is a community run café serving drinks, homemade soups and sandwiches. During the summer they also serve burgers and fries. The main reason to stop is for their amazing selection of homemade cakes.
The cafe is located between the northern end of Traigh Shiar and Traigh a Bhaigh.
This area is often described as Vatersay bay. Isle of Barra also has many of these community cafes and you should make sure to stop by at least one during your time in the Outer Hebrides.
The cafe has inside and outside seating and parking next-door. However, the parking area is often full. If that is the case drive a little bit further towards Vatersay village and park on the grassy carpark on the on the right.
Opening times
Summer months (April to October)
Mon – Sat 11 – 4pm
Sun 12 – 3pm
Winter months (November to March)
Closed
How to Get To Vatersay Bay and Its Beaches
Many people Google “Vatersay bay on Isle of Barra”, but the island of Vatersay is its own island. However, you have to get one of the ferries to Barra first.
The Vatersay causeway makes travelling between Barra and Vatersay much easier than it used to be. Today it is a quick drive but that was not always the case.
The causeway is only 250 metres long but it took two years to build and was only finished in 1991. Before then it was much more difficult to get to Vatersay. Ferry was the only way to get between the two islands.
Further south none of the islands are inhabited and had it not been for the causeway Vatersay might have gone the same way. Luckily today it is a small but thriving community with 90 inhabitants.
The easiest way to get here is by car. Another great option is by bike. There is little traffic, distances are reasonable and the roads have fantastic sea views.
Finding Vatersay bay couldn’t be easier. It is literally at the end of the road.
I highly recommend renting a car with RentalCars.
How to Travel to Vatersay by Public Transport
Public transport in the Outer Hebrides is limited so I highly recommend booking a rental car for your trip.
By Bus: The W33 bus called Vatersay to / from Castlebay runs to Vatersay Monday to Saturday. In Castlebay it stops at the Co-op and the pier. In Vatersay it stops in Vatersay village. To stop in Uidh or Caolas ask the driver when you board.
For the return some of the journeys must be booked 2 hours in advance by phone. For all the details on bus time and which journeys must be booked ahead of time check the latest bus schedule.
By Bike: From Castlebay on Barra to the end of the road in Vatersay it is 6 miles. Since the bus schedule is fairly limited you will be able to see more of the Vatersay beaches in a day renting a bike.
Barra Bike Hire rents out e-bikes and standard bikes from half a day to multiple days.
Vatersay Accommodation
There are no hotels or bed and breakfasts on Vatersay. Self-catering cottages are the only places to stay. But there are not many options so most people stay on Barra and come to Vatersay for the day.
One self-catering option is 14 Caolis in Caolas which sleeps four. The cottage is close to two beaches.
Motorhomes and Camping (In a Tent)
Wild camping is allowed on Vatersay. Scotland has strong protection of the freedom to roam but that does not mean that there are no rules to follow. Read the Scottish Outdoor Access Code before your trip.
Places to camp:
- Close to Vatersay Hall Café. Next to the café are toilets, pay-per-use showers and water outlets for people camping. It is not permitted to stay overnight on the parking area next to the café but there are designated camping areas close by. Please don’t park or camp on the grassy verge or beaches since it causes erosion
- By camping in a tent the options for where to stay are much wider but there are no other facilities than the ones detailed above. When wild camping make sure you leave the place as you found it
FAQ on Vatersay Island
Where Is Vatersay Located?
Vatersay is a small island in the south of the Outer Hebrides. Vatersay is south of Barra and the two islands are connected by a causeway.
The road stops in Vatersay village, further south are the uninhabited islands of Pabbay, Sandray and Mingulay which are only accessible by boat.
Barra has an airport and a ferry terminal so travel to Barra first and then on to Vatersay.
How Big Is Vatersay?
Vatersay is 9 square miles. It is one of the smallest inhabited islands in the Outer Hebrides with only 90 people living on the island.
What Is in Vatersay?
People travel to Vatersay for the beaches. But the island is also the starting point of the Hebridean Way. For a shorter route try the Vatersay Heritage Trail which includes the nicest beaches on the islands.
What Wildlife Is in Vatersay?
Vatersay is rich in birdlife such as Guillemots and Kittiwakes. Golden Eagles can also be spotted if you are lucky.
Some people say you can see puffins but that is unlikely. To see these funny creatures take a boat trip to Mingulay during puffin season (May – Mid-July). You are unlikely to see them on Vatersay.
Can You Drive on Vatersay?
Yes you can drive on Vatersay and it is the best way to experience the island and its beaches. The road stops in the village of Vatersay village, this is as far south as it is possible to drive in the Outer Hebrides. Cycling is also a great way to get around since distances are short.
LOOKING FOR MORE ON THE OUTER HEBRIDES?
