Luskentyre Beach

Luskentyre Beach, located on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides, is one of the most stunning beaches in Europe.

Famous for its bright white sands, turquoise waters, and picturesque Harris hills, Luskentyre beach is a must-visit for any traveler.

Here is everything you need to know about planning a visit to this beautiful destination:

Getting to Luskentyre Beach

To reach Luskentyre beach, drive from Tarbert towards Scarista beach and take a right turn off the A859 at Seilebost.

The road to the beach is called Luskentyre Road, which is almost 3 miles long.

The car park at the end of Luskentyre Road is impossible to miss.

During the peak summer months of June to August, the car park can often fill up, so it’s advisable to come early if the weather forecast is good​.

Please please, treat the car park with respect as there is a section dedicated to the attached graveyard. Do not park in these spaces if you are a beach visitor and only park in designated parking spaces. If it’s busy, try coming back another day.

Accessing the Beach

From the car park, it is only about 100 meters over the sand dunes to the beach.

The path is sandy and not suitable for buggies.

Once you reach the beach, the most beautiful part of Luskentyre beach and Seilebost is to your left, which is the recommended direction to walk when you get to the beach​​.

Best Time to Visit

Luskentyre beach is best visited at low tide, as the two beaches of Luskentyre and Seilebost become one, revealing a vast expanse of white sand.

The weather plays a crucial role too. When the sun shines, the sand appears bright white and the water, especially around Seilebost, turns turquoise​.

Activities

Walking is the most popular activity at Luskentyre beach.

The beach can get a bit busy on sunny days when the tide is out, but people generally don’t venture very far onto the beach, so you’ll soon find yourself in solitude.

Other activities like kayaking, paddleboarding, kite surfing, and windsurfing are also possible.

Companies like Wild Harris offer half day and full day kayaking trips for up to 5 people​/

Swimming

Yes, you can swim at Luskentyre beach, although the water is very cold. Trust me.

Unless you have a wetsuit and are an experienced wild swimmer, a long swim is not recommended.

Huisinis and Seilebost beaches are better options for swimming​.

Photography Tips

For the best photography, walk towards Seilebost where the beach starts to turn to the left.

The views at low tide of the white sand stretching the full length of the sound of Taransay and all the way to Seilebost beach are fantastic.

The best lighting for photos can be tricky due to the hills behind Luskentyre.

The sun only rises over the hill mid-morning, especially in winter, and in the late afternoon, you will be shooting against the sun when taking photos towards Seilebost and Northton​​.