Hidden Scotland
Sign in
Seilebost's curve of white sand and turquoise surf below a conical hill, from above.
Outer Hebrides

Seilebost Beach, Harris

A white beach on the south side of Luskentyre Bay, looking over the water to Taransay and Ben Luskentyre.

Welcome

Seilebost is the white beach on the south side of Luskentyre Bay, on a spur of land reaching into the sea north of the little crofting village of the same name, pronounced Shell-a-bost.

Clean sand with patches of rock slopes gently into clear aquamarine water, with views across to Taransay and Ben Luskentyre, and it has been voted one of the ten best beaches in the world. At its eastern end the sand gives way to grassy dunes, a good start for long walks.

The beach is reached from the A859, though the way down from the road can take a little effort, and the reward is often the whole place to yourself. There are no facilities; the nearest are in Tarbert. Beware of quicksand: keep off the wet sand at low tide. There is no lifeguard. Highland cattle and sheep graze the slopes above, and dogs are allowed on the beach. Luskentyre itself lies across the water, and Nisabost is a few miles on along the coast.

The Daily

Arrives at 5am every day.

A free morning email to see what’s on this week, catch up on what’s happening in Scotland and find somewhere new to go.

The Daily for 14 November, from Scotland with love. A red kayak beached on a loch shore beneath sunlit rocky hills, Sutherland
A short drive awayFlavourA small restaurant in Tarbert where every table is a chef's table for an eight-course tasting menu.3 min by roadSee itChris plating lobster on blue plates in the Flavour kitchen, a row of dishes ready on the counter.

Before you go

Reach the beach from the A859; the way down can be awkward.

Free parking. No facilities and no lifeguard. Keep off the wet sand at low tide: there may be quicksand.

Getting there
CalMac ferry from Uig on Skye to Tarbert, or from North Uist to Leverburgh.
Safety
Quicksand possible at low tide.
Facilities
None; nearest in Tarbert.

Been here? Tell others what you know, and the best go on this page with your name.

Add your review

Where it is

Seilebost, off the A859, west coast of South Harris.

Close byOn the south side of Luskentyre Bay.
  1. Nisabost beach from the rocks, white sand and turquoise water below green dunes.Nisabost Beach & MacLeod’s StoneA white-sand beach on the west coast of Harris, with a tall prehistoric standing stone on the headland above.2 miles 2 min by road
  2. The deck at Talla na Mara, picnic benches looking out over turquoise water and white sand to the hills of Harris under a blue sky.Talla na Mara Community CaféThe West Harris Trust's community café at Talla na Mara, with soup, sandwiches and baking, and a deck looking over the sea to Taransay.2 miles 3 min by road
  3. Scarista House, a white Georgian manse with tall chimneys, lit gold by the evening sun behind a stone wall.Scarista HouseA Georgian manse of 1827 above Scarista beach on the west coast of Harris, now a small hotel of six rooms with a set dinner each evening.5 miles 7 min by road
  4. Luskentyre Beach, HarrisLuskentyre Beach, HarrisThe largest and most spectacular of the Harris beaches, a great bay of white sand and turquoise water below the North Harris hills.5 miles 7 min by road
  5. The green wooden shed at Croft 36 in Northton, doors open, with coffee, soup and baking chalked on the doors and the honesty box inside.Croft 366 miles as the crow flies
Directions
Chris plating lobster on blue plates in the Flavour kitchen, a row of dishes ready on the counter.RestaurantsFlavour2.0 miles
A winding tidal channel cuts through saltmarsh grass beneath a cloud-capped hillAttractionsNorthton Salt Flats8.3 miles
The Golden Road winding past small lochs through the grey rock of South Harris, the sea beyond.AttractionsThe Golden Road8.5 miles
Rows of Harris Tweed cushions fill a shelving wall, running from soft greys through mustard, rose and teal.ShoppingHarris Tweed Isle of Harris, Tarbert10 miles
A bedroom at Hotel Hebrides: a white bed under a tall paisley headboard, tartan curtains and timber-effect walls, a window onto Tarbert.HotelHotel Hebrides11 miles
Essence of Harris tote bag hangs beside shelves of bottled products in the shopShoppingEssence of Harris, Tarbert11 miles
The Harris Hotel in Tarbert, a long white building with gables and dormers, above a garden of purple flowers under a blue sky.HotelHarris Hotel11 miles
A flight of four Isle of Harris Brewery beers, from pale to dark, on a wooden board by the taproom window.RestaurantsIsle of Harris Brewery Taproom11 miles
Tweed scarves, "Love, Faith, Hope" boxes and Harris Tweed eggs on a shop counterAttractionsGrannie Annie's, South Harris12 miles

Recommend to a friend

Stay nearby

Places to stay near the beach, and when each is next free.

A curved timber-roofed house glows with lit windows at dusk, chairs set on the gravel and decking outside.Harris Hideaway
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Cliasmol
  • 6 miles from Seilebost
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in the Outer HebridesAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
Hidden Scotland, the magazine

Scotland, in print.

We want to show you the best that Scotland has to offer. The makers and the creatives, the enduring experiences, the evocative tales, the concealed corners. The roads less travelled that take you to places that matter. The adventures that gather you up and sweep you away. The blend of the wild and the artistic that makes Scotland what it is. We’d love for you to join us.

Get Issue 13Read it here

Read on

The collections it is in and more in the Outer Hebrides.

CollectionScotland's Best Beaches
More in the Outer Hebrides

Find out more

For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .