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The pale sand and breaking waves of Levenwick bay, green headlands on either side.
Shetland Islands

Levenwick

A gently sloping sandy bay in the South Mainland with rock pools at either side, loved by families.

Welcome

Levenwick is a sandy bay in the South Mainland, about 17 miles south of Lerwick, reached by the road down from the village of the same name and sheltered by the headland at its southern end.

The sand slopes gently into the sea, which makes it ideal for paddling, and the rocks at either side are full of pools to explore, so it is a favourite with families. Shetland.org lists it among the best beaches for a picnic with the bairns.

It faces the North Sea, dogs are welcome, and it is quiet. Laurie Goodlad, who guides visitors round the islands as Shetland With Laurie, counts it among her favourite beaches in Shetland. It makes an easy stop on a day in the South Mainland, a short drive from the café at Hoswick and from Sandsayre Pier, where the boat leaves for Mousa.

A short drive awaySt Ninian’s IsleThe sand bar out to the isle, and the treasure found under the chapel.8 min by roadSee itThe white sand tombolo curving out to St Ninian's Isle, the sea on both sides.
Before you go

Open at any time and free.

In the South Mainland, about 17 miles south of Lerwick; take the road down from Levenwick village to the bay. Dogs welcome.

Getting there
About 17 miles south of Lerwick, down from Levenwick village.
Good for
Paddling and rock pools.
Dogs
Welcome.
Where it is

Levenwick, South Mainland, ZE2 9HX.

Close byIn the South Mainland.
  1. Grey seals hauled out on the pale sand at Rerwick, the sea at the edge.Rerwick and Scousburgh SandsTwo beaches on the west side of the South Mainland: seals at Rerwick, white sand and a loch behind Scousburgh.4 miles8 min by road
  2. High cliffs rising from a deep blue sea across the bay from Maywick.MaywickA cliff-wrapped sandy beach a couple of miles from St Ninian's Isle, and usually empty.5 miles13 min by road
  3. The blue and white front of the Hoswick Visitor Centre on the village street.Hoswick Visitor CentreA café, craft shop and fishing and textile archive in the village of Hoswick in the South Mainland.5 miles11 min by road
  4. The long thatched Crofthouse Museum and its stone dykes under a blue sky.Crofthouse MuseumA thatched croft house of the 1870s at Boddam in the South Mainland, with its peat fire and box beds; free, and open in summer.5 miles10 min by road
  5. Mousa Broch across the sound, seen from the water on the way over from Sandsayre.Sandsayre Interpretive CentreThe waiting room at the Mousa boat's pier in Sandwick, with the old flit boat and the story of Mousa and its boats.6 miles10 min by road
Directions
The white sand tombolo curving out to St Ninian's Isle, the sea on both sides.AttractionsSt Ninian’s Isle3.5 miles
Mousa Broch from the air, a round tower on a golden headland above dark rocks and sea.AttractionsMousa Broch5.7 miles
Quendale Mill's stone buildings and water wheel round a gravel yard.AttractionsQuendale Mill6.5 miles
The sweep of sand round the Bay of Quendale beyond a green field.AttractionsQuendale Beach6.5 miles
Visitor walks among stone walls and hearth of an Iron Age broch settlementAttractionsScatness Broch7.2 miles
A reconstructed Iron Age house at Old Scatness, its turf roof and doorway, a cooking pot outside.AttractionsOld Scatness7.2 miles
The stone walls and low passage of the Ness of Burgi blockhouse on its grassy headland.AttractionsNess of Burgi7.9 miles
The round walls of a wheelhouse below the laird's house, Jarlshof.AttractionsJarlshof8.4 miles
Red foghorn atop a white lighthouse building overlooking the seaAttractionsSumburgh Head10 miles
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