The Ultimate Guide to West Beach, Berneray (2026)
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Looking for everything you need to know to plan a visit to West Beach, Berneray? Or maybe you call it Berneray Beach?
Then you are in the right place. The two beaches are the same beach and this guide will cover everything you need to know to plan your visit.
The beach doesn’t have the most imaginative name since, as you have probably guessed, it is located on the west side of the island.
The island has three beaches but none can match West Beach. Berneray East is also worth a visit but Queens beach is less impressive.
Is West Beach Worth Visiting?
Yes, it is definitely worth a visit. West beach is nearly 5 km long with white sand, clear blue waters and views of the Harris hills in the distance.
It is one of the Outer Hebrides best beaches and it looks like it could be a photo from a holiday brochure.
And it was actually in a holiday brochure – just not one for Scotland. If it wasn’t for the cold winds which normally accompany any visit, you could forgive the Thai tourist authorities for mistakenly using a photo of this beach in an advert for Kai Bae beach in Thailand.
Berneray beach is not just popular with the Thai tourist board, it was also recently voted the 3rd nicest beach in Europe by Lonely Planet.
Berneray Beach and Sites Map
- West Beach (also called Berneray Beach)
- Queens Beach
- East Beach
- Best place to spot seals
- Clach Mhor Standing Stone
- Berneray Historical Society Museum
- Giant MacAskill Memorial
How to Get to West Beach Berneray and Where to Park
West Beach is accessed from a car park past Berneray Village Hall.
After passing Berneray Shop and Bistro take the first left. Continue on through Borve and down the single lane track where the road bears left at the Berneray village hall. After a couple of sharp turns there is a grassy car park on the right.
The car park is in the area of the following what 3 word location soups.spot.tumble.
A small hill, often covered in beautiful wild flowers, leads to sand dunes with fantastic views of the beach. It is a steep climb down to get on to the beach.
Can You Swim at West Beach Berneray?
Yes it is possible to swim at West Beach on Berneray when the sea is calm. However, the beach often has large waves given the location on the Atlantic Ocean.
Beach Activities
Walking is the most popular activity and the beach is dog friendly.
It is often large waves so it is possible to surf but Scarista on Isle of Harris is a more popular surfing beach.
Best Viewpoints
1. On Top of the Dunes by the Car Park
At the car park, walk right or left after climbing the grassy verge with a sharp drop to the beach.
Which way to walk to get the right light for photos depends on the time of day. Walk into the sun and turn around, taking photos away from the sun.
Afternoons generally have the best light.
Tide Level: Not important
Parking: At the car park described above
2. Walk Around the Island
At only 10 square kilometres it is possible to walk around Berneray island in a few hours. It has beautiful views out to Northton beach on Isle of Harris.
The route also takes in East beach and the sandy bay in the south called Queen’s beach.
Neither of these two beaches are as impressive as West beach but East beach also deserves a visit whilst on Berneray.
Tide Level: Not important
Parking: Anywhere in the village
To explore more beaches that are as good as Berneray West beach drive across the causeway to see the North Uist beaches and the beaches on South Uist.
Other Things to Do on Isle of Berneray
Although the main reason to visit is West beach, Berneray has a few other sights worth visiting.
Berneray has plenty of interesting things to do for a day but for a longer stay check out the attractions on North Uist and the best things to see and do on South Uist.
1. Spot Seals in Backhill Village
On Google Maps Backhill’s public car park is called ‘Seal view parking’. That gives a pretty good indication to how likely you are to see seals.
At low tide the rocks in front of Seal View B&B are exposed and seals love to bask on these rocks. But they scare easily so be quiet, approach slowly and do not get too close to them.
This is the best place in the Outer Hebrides to see seals up close.
Otters can also be spotted in the rocky coves along the east side of the island although they are much more difficult to see.
2. Explore East Beach
On my first visit to Berneray I thought West Beach was the only beach worth seeing and didn’t bother driving out to East beach. Berneray’s second beach is also well worth a visit, don’t make the same mistake I did.
With views towards Harris and beautiful turquoise water when it is sunny this beach should definitely be part of your Berneray itinerary.
You can drive all the way out to the beach.
3. Hill of the Graveyard/ Clach Mhor Standing Stone
When driving back from the beach the 2.5-metre-tall standing stone sticks protrudes from the top of the hill on your right.
Despite only being 85 metres high the hill provides panoramic views over North Uist and the Atlantic Ocean. This demonstrates just how flat these islands are compared to Harris and Lewis further north.
To get to the standing stone park at Borve Community Centre and walk through the fields to the top of the hill. Alternatively, there is a path from the main road shortly before the left turn to Borve.
4. Berneray Historical Society Museum
To better understand what life on a small Scottish island such as Berneray was like visit this museum.
There is also a visitor centre that provides general tourist information as well details on the wildlife on the island.
Opening times
Summer months (Jun – Aug)
Mon – Fri 11am – 3pm
Sat- Sun – Closed
Winter months (Sep – May)
- Closed
It is free but donations are encouraged.
5. Giant MacAskill Memorial
MacAskill is probably Berneray’s most famous person. He was born on Berneray but lived most of his life in Nova Scotia.
His claim to fame is as the name of the monument would indicate – he was a giant at 2.4 metres tall!
Restaurants Nearby
Berneray has one bistro and two shops.
Berneray Bistro and Shop
The bistro serves light lunches and seafood and has good reviews from travellers. The range of groceries is more limited with better choice available on North Uist.
Shop – Year-round
- Mon-Sat 9-5.30pm
Restaurant – Only open in the summer months
- Bistro 10-4pm
- Dinner6-8.30pm
Check latest opening times at the Shop and Bistro’s website.
North Uist and Berneray Accommodation
Being a small island there are only a few places to stay on Berneray. It is better to stay in a bed and breakfast in North Uist.
Some of the best options are:
- Self-catering cottages – North Uist: vary in size and price but are a good option given the limited number of restaurants on the islands. Below are some of the recommended options on North Uist:
- Creagan Na Mara. Click here to check prices and availability
- Air a’ Chroit Luxury Pods. Click here to check prices and availability
- Benview B&B – North Uist: a luxury B&B with fantastic views and a hot tub. The B&B consistently gets good reviews from travellers and the location provides easy access to North Uist’s amazing beaches. Click here to check prices and availability
- Seal View B&B – Berneray: Located on the sea front in Backhill this B&B has fantastic views out towards the Isle of Skye. As the name indicates the B&B is also perfectly placed to look out for seals. They are often seen basking on the rocks in front of the house. Click here to check prices and availability
- Gaitliff Trust Hostel – Berneray: dormitories start at £16 per person for adults with shared kitchens. It is also possible to camp which costs £10 per person. Advance booking is not possible.
How to get to Berneray
Rental Car
A rental car gives more freedom to explore and is highly recommended when visiting the Outer Hebrides. Relying on the very limited public transport will significantly impact what you will be able to see during your holiday.
To/from North Uist: A causeway connects Berneray to North Uist. In fact, there are a series of causeways making it possible to drive all the way to Benbecula and Eriskay Island without taking a ferry.
To/from Harris: The ferry to Leverburgh leaves 2-3 times a day in winter and 3-5 times a day during the summer. The route is operated by Calmac and takes an hour.
Ferries are operated by Calmac and make sure you book in advance during the summer months.
I highly recommend hiring a car for your trip!
Public Transport
A limited bus service runs from Eriskay in the south to Berneray every day except Sunday. The route is called North Uist W16 and W18 or Spine Route Summary W16 and W17. The latest timetable before travelling.
This route also stops at Berneray ferry terminal for the ferry to Harris, described above. At the other end infrequent buses run from Leverburg ferry terminal to Tarbert.
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