The Best NC500 Wild Swimming Spots – The Best Beaches for Swimming on the NC500
Wild swimming is becoming more and more popular everyday with more of us wanting to experience the benefits of that cold water dip.
Well the North Coast 500 certainly doesn't disappoint when it comes to cold water and the beaches are pretty spectacular too. Wild swimming in Scotland, especially on the north coast, will be incredibly cold, even in the summer months.
With so many stunning locations to choose from, wild swimming is a fantastic way to connect with nature and discover hidden gems that are off the beaten track. There are many beautiful locations for wild swimming, including secluded coves, freshwater lochs, and secluded beaches. The beaches at Sandwood Bay and Achmelvich are particularly popular with wild swimmers due to their crystal-clear waters and stunning surroundings. While the waters can be cold, the experience of immersing oneself in the natural environment is exhilarating and deeply rewarding.
It is important to note that there are no lifeguards present on the beaches around the NC500 so you are entering the water entirely at your own risk.
The beaches around the NC500 are some of the most beautiful you will see in Scotland and despite how freezing the water is, the clear blue colour makes it very tempting to get in for a dip. In this guide, we will share the best beaches for wild swimming on the NC500.
Achmelvich Bay
Dunnet Bay
Coldbackie Sands
Ceannabeinne Beach
Sango Sands
Dornoch Beach
Embo Beach
Brora Beach
Where to Stay on the North Coast 500
There is a wide range of accommodations around the NC500 route, so you will not be short on options. Depending on how long you are spending in each area will depend on how long you spend in that location. It is worth bearing in mind that some accommodations will require you to stay a minimum number of nights so it is worth researching this when you are planning your North Coast 500 itinerary.
Our new book North Coast 500 Where to Eat and Stay shares the best places to eat and stay around the NC500 and includes whether places are dog friendly, accessible, have wifi and EVC and whether they cater to dietary requirements. Paired with our Destination NC500 guidebook you will have the perfect combo to start planning your road trip of a lifetime.
The remoteness in the highlands of Scotland will leave you with little choice of accommodation in each location along the NC500, however, there are still enough options to choose from to ensure a comfortable trip. These are mostly in the shape of B&Bs, Airbnbs, converted cottages and other quirky accommodations.
Achmelvich Bay
Hidden along a narrow windy road on the north west coast of Scotland is one of the most popular beaches on the North Coast 500, Achmelvich Bay. Surrounded by sand dunes and cliff faces the white sandy beaches are met with the clearest blue water.
Achmelvich Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches we have ever swam at, mainly due to the incredible colour of the water.
Being on the west coast of Scotland, Achmelvich Bay is a great place to watch the sunset from the beach or go for a sunset swim.
This beach is accessed by foot from a medium sized car park meaning you don't have that far to travel when you get out the cold water.
Dunnet Bay
One of our favourite stretches of white sandy beach on the NC500 is Dunnet Bay. This is the most northernly beach on the north coast of mainland Scotland. A great beach for wild swimming on the NC500 as the sand is incredibly soft and the car park is very near. There are also toilet facilities and a large car parking area for the beach and if you are staying at the Dunnet Bay Campsite, this overlooks Dunnet Bay so very nearby for your morning swim.
We were so lucky on our morning swim here to have a huge rainbow over the beach, it was absolutely stunning!
Coldbackie Sands
Coldbackie Sands is one of our favourite hidden beaches on the NC500, making it the perfect place for a cheeky nude swim! There is a small pull in area at the side of the road where you can park to access this beach. This beach is visible from the road at a distance and is accessible by climbing down a steep hill down the cliff through a rough footpath.
Follow the path down to the beach and enjoy the white sandy beach overlooking the Kyle of Tongue all to yourself. There are no facilities at this beach.
Ceannabeinne Beach
Ceannabeinne Beach is a beautiful stretch of sand sitting on the north coast of Scotland that will definitely temp you in for a wild swim on the NC500.
To get to Ceannabeinne Beach, follow the epic scenery on the A838 past Loch Eribol from Tongue and you will see the beach on your right hand side. Ceannabeinne Beach is one of the most impressive beaches you will come across if you are driving the NC500 in an anti-clockwise direction. The large expanse of sand is accessed by climbing down the grassy cliff along the man made dirt paths. There is free parking overlooking the beach and you can expect this to always to be relatively busy.
We would suggest swimming at Ceannabeinne Beach in the morning as this tends to be before the wind picks up which during the winter months is bitter!
There are no amenities within walking distance of Ceannabeinne Beach.
Sango Sands
Sango Sands is an incredible stretch of sand sitting in between the cliffs at Durness. The sand is so clean and the water is so clear making it a beautiful spot for a wild swim on the North Coast 500. There is a campsite, Sango Sands Oasis, that sits overlooking Sango Sands Beach and from here you can access the Sango Sands Viewpoint. This viewpoint is a raised wooden platform overlooking the bays on either side.
There is parking around the area and public toilets beside the Spar.
Dornoch Beach
Dornoch beach is a beautiful stretch of sandy beach that goes on for miles! The soft white sand is met with a sand dunes and a lush long grassy embankment, one of the best things to do in Dornoch.
The beach has gentle shallow water which is perfect for paddling or swimming. We would advise going at mid-high tide if you are wanting to swim, as when it is low tide, you will be walking quite a distance before you get any swimming done!
Dornoch Beach sits within walking distance from the quaint town of Dornoch, one of the first stops north of Inverness.
The beach is popular with dog walkers throughout the year and it is possible to walk along the beach at both high and low tide.
There is a small beach car park level with the beach that is suitable for small vehicles. Dornoch Beach Wheelchairs is located here and is a brilliant way to make the beach accessible for everyone. If this interests you, make sure to book in advance.
There is a larger car park for motorhomes and overflow parking beside the children’s play area.
Feeling peckish after your swim? The Highland Larder sits in the car park for your food and drink needs whilst you are at the beach and the toilets are just further down the road from there.
If you want a hot drink to heat up we would highly recommend a hot chocolate from Cocoa Mountain!
Embo Beach
One of our favourite beaches on the east coast of the NC500 is Embo beach. This is a great beach for swimming at high tide as it is really easy to access the water.
The beach itself sits beneath the small village of Embo, sheltered by grassy sand dunes. There is free parking in Embo as well as public toilets and some shops. The beach is a 5 minute walk from here.
Brora Beach
A trip to Brora Beach is one of the best things to do in Brora. It isn’t necessarily visible from the main road of the NC500, turn right at the Co-op and follow the road towards the sea.
Brora Beach is an award winning beach on the north east coast of Scotland. The white sandy beach is pristine and stretches along a number of miles in front of the Brora golf course. Brora beach is beautiful beach for a swim, however if the tide is low we would recommend wearing water shoes as you may need to walk over some rocks on the beach.
Brora Beach can be accessed through Brora campsite or you can park in the golf car park to access the beach. Parking is free.
Destination North Coast Map
Make sure you have all the resources you need to make the most of your trip to the North Coast of Scotland. Our Destination North Coast Map is the perfect addition to any traveller's toolkit. With detailed information on all the best spots, along the NC500, this map is your ultimate guide to exploring the rugged beauty of Scotland's north coast.
So there you have it, all of the best wild swimming spots along the North Coast 500. If you have visited the NC500 recently, let us know what you thought of the sights listed above, or if you have any suggestions let us know in the comments below.
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