#619 European Rank
Sandwood Bay
Sutherland, Scotland, United Kingdom•Atlantic Ocean• Best Season: May, June, July, August, September
Photo: Mr D Bailey (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.19/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
13.5°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€43/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Golden Sand
Gradual Drop
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Wind-Exposed
Moderate Surf
Exposed to Onshore Surf & ChopCove aspect: Faces W (270°) · Wind: W (270°)
Onshore wind (12 km/h) is pushing open-sea swell directly into the bay, creating active breaking waves and reduced visibility.
Significant Wave Height
...
Exercise Caution
Swell Profile
...
Reading buoy...
Live Surface Wind
...
W (270°) · ONSHORE
UV & Air Temperature
...
UV 5 · Moderate (SPF 30)
Cove Aspect & Shelter Compass
Seaward Orientation vs. Live Wind DirectionCove Faces W (270°)
Onshore Wind • Waves and surface chop pushed into the beach
Shoreline Facing (θ_aspect)
W (270°)
Open Sea Exposure
Surface Wind Vector
W (270°)
12 km/h · Δθ = 0°
Spatial Geometry: Wind from W pushes unobstructed over the open sea directly onto the W-facing coast, generating breaking chop.
Morning Coastal Brief for Sandwood Bay: Noticeable shorebreak; recommend caution for small children and non-swimmers. Onshore wind (12 km/h) is pushing open-sea swell directly into the bay, creating active breaking waves and reduced visibility. Models update sub-daily via Open-Meteo European marine models.
Interactive Oceanographic Climatology
Seasonal Sea Warmth & Bathing Climatology
30-Year NOAA OISST v2.1 Monthly Normals (1991–2020) · Sutherland, Scotland, United Kingdom
Crisp & Bracing
Early August
13.5°C
Air ~24°C
Short dips only; spring wetsuit recommended
Invigorating cold dip. Swimmers generally wear a shorty wetsuit for sessions over 10–15 minutes.
Drag to scrub 12-month temperature curveEarly August · 13.5°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8.5°C | 10°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 7.8°C | 11°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 7.5°C | 13°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 7.9°C | 16°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 9.1°C | 19°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| June | 10.9°C | 22°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| July | 12.7°C | 24°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| August | 13.5°C | 24°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| September | 13.0°C | 22°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| October | 12.0°C | 19°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| November | 10.9°C | 15°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| December | 9.6°C | 12°C | Crisp & Bracing |
NOAA OISST v2.1 30-year climatological normal (1991–2020).Explore all United Kingdom Sea Temperatures
Swimmability Window · NOAA Climatology
Peak 13.5°C in August · cold-water plunge / wetsuit season
Planning around peak water warmth (13.5°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Sandwood Bay for the optimal May–June–July–August–September swimming window.
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Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Sandwood Bay (Sutherland, Scotland, United Kingdom)
🌊 Water temperature: 13.5°C
⛱️ Beach access: 100% free public sand • Sunbeds: €0–€0
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces W (sheltered from E winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/sandwood-bay-gb/Tip: Add this beach to your home screen to quickly check morning wind and water conditions before heading out.
EEA Bathing Water Directive 2006/7/EC
Bathing Water Purity & Statutory Standards
Status: Good
Microbial Water Purity
95th-Percentile Compliant
Escherichia coli & intestinal enterococci within statutory limits.
Bathing Directive Tier
Tier 1: Sufficient & Safe
Monitored across the official European bathing season.
Official European Environment Agency (EEA) water monitoring verifies recreational cleanliness, sewage absence, and safety standards across all 31 member and partner coastal nations.
Score Breakdown
Scenery & Setting4.6 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness4.9 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.7 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.6 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.5 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.6 / 5
About Sandwood Bay
A mile of empty pink sand guarded by a sea stack at the roadless edge of northwest Scotland.
Destination Advisory & Classificationcold-water destination (13.5°C peak) — aesthetic/scenic ranking rather than warm swimming
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Located in far northwest Sutherland near Kinlochbervie, reached only on foot via a remote 4-mile (6.5 km) peat-moorland trail from Blairmore car park.
•Protected Status / Environment: Owned and conserved by the John Muir Trust; designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and SSSI for pristine sand dunes, machair, and rare wildlife.
•Notable Feature: Remote mile-long pinkish-golden sand beach facing the wild North Atlantic, backed by Sandwood Loch and guarded by the 65-metre sea stack Am Buachaille.
Sand Transparency & Sunbed Index
Public sand quota, private lido density, and legal towel placement rights
Wide Open Public Sand
Free Public Sand (100%)Private Concessions (0%)
2-Sunbed + Umbrella Set Rate
Free (100% Public)
No commercial loungers; bring your own parasol and beach mat.
Towel Bather Guidance
Abundant unencumbered shoreline. Free towel placement everywhere with minimal commercial footprint.
Legal Shoreline Rights: 100% open public coastline. No commercial sunbed concessions or umbrella installations permitted.
Arrival Logistics, Parking & Sun Exposure
Micro-logistics, parking payment taxonomy, and topographic shadow schedules.
Parking Payment & Rates
Free Parking
Free Verge / Unpaved Roadside
Follow local municipal parking signage to avoid fines during summer peak hours.
Sun Exposure & Cliff Shadows
Morning Shade • Late Afternoon Golden Hours
Faces westward into the open horizon, offering bright afternoon sun and prime sunset vantage points.
Footwear & Karst Protection
Unnecessary (Soft Natural Sand)
Fine powder or golden sand allows comfortable barefoot wading into shallow depths.
Amenities & Facilities
Bathrooms
NoShowers
NoFree Parking
YesFood / Tavernas
YesGood for Kids
NoDog Friendly
YesLifeguard on Duty
NoSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
NoNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
YesWheelchair Accessible
NoSnorkeling & Watersports
YesNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Sutherland, Scotland. Accessible via regional coastal roads (58.535°N, -5.070°E).
Discreet Utility: Rough Road & Trail Access
Reaching Sandwood Bay involves dirt tracks or steep trails. Booking a rental SUV or 4x4 provides higher clearance for unpaved coastal roads.
•Wild and cold with strong surf; for hardy swimmers only.
•Remote moorland and the sea stack Am Buachaille, a four-mile walk from the road.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
INTL · 40m driveConvenient highway or local transit access across Sutherland, Scotland, United Kingdom.
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Sandwood Bay?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sandwood Bay
What is the water temperature at Sandwood Bay?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Sandwood Bay averages 13.5°C (56°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Sandwood Bay?
Sandwood Bay is classified as a golden sand shoreline located in Sutherland, Scotland, United Kingdom.
Is Sandwood Bay good for families with kids?
Sandwood Bay has steeper entry or natural coastal features better suited for confident swimmers.
Are there parking and facilities at Sandwood Bay?
Free parking is available. No public restrooms directly on-site.
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