The 34 best beach spots in Islay

Machir Bay is the home of Kilchoman beach, possibly the best beach on Islay. Look out for the wreck of Patti at low tide (if not covered by sand). Great walking in the sand, you can also extend the walk by following the track over to Kilchiaran. Try to spot the rock formation known as Granny's Rock.

Truly a beautiful spot. There probably will be sheep and/or other stock animals in the fields, so respect and do not disturb the farm.

Lovely big beach - mix of pebble and sandy beach.

Very nice sandy beach, swimming is possible. Compared to most other beaches on Islay this beach is rather small, but when we were there we didn't encounter anyone else. Also one can watch the ferries passing by. There are goats nearby so one has to watch out not to step onto their manure.

Stopped for for lunch in the van at this stunning beach! Great fun in the water.

Of all the distilleries on Islay, this one is my favorite. A fan of the 10 for many years I was so excited to take the tour and experience the culture in real life. Nestled so beautifully on the water, the tour is laid back and informative, with real big pours, and the only tour that let us try the new spirit (tastes like schnapps). The tasting room and store are so funky and we enjoyed lunch in the restaurant, had the famous fish chowder, and it didn’t disappoint. Could have spent hours here!

Was lucky enough to visit the distillery and had an amazing experience. This is a must stop in Islay. The property and facilities are amazing and the whiskey is top notch. It’s hard to believe that they were just started in 2005 because everything they do is top notch and the whiskey speaks for Itself. We did a tour with Rudy who was so knowledgeable and personal. He really took care of us and we learned so much. Even with all of their success it still has a very small family business vibe which I loved. The owner was literally doing the bottle labels when we were there and Rudy even jumped back to help with busing tables at the cafe after he gave us a tour and poured us drams at the bar. Small company doing huge things. I can’t recommend this place enough and especially a tour with Rudy. I hope to be back someday! Thanks again Rudy!

Absolutely stunning place. Very quiet and clean when I visited ( june)

Beautiful location with fantastic views of the Paps of Jura. Turquoise seas and seal sightings.

One of the more famous islay distillerys with a very distinct taste. Their entire collection has a red thread that is very recognizable be that their younger expressed or older. Location is set direct at the shoreline with a nice small Cafe with a good selection of house intern whiskies.

We stayed in Lagavulin Bay just a few minutes down the road from this sweet spot. There were no other diners in the restaurant while we dined but frequent take-aways. Our server was so sweet and fun to chat with, which made the experience that much nicer. Good scotch selection and the seafood was super fresh. Cranachan was the ultimate little treat to finish out the plentiful meal as well!

We had the absolute best time here! Both the food and the hotel were fantastic. We stayed two nights and wish we’d stayed longer. Staff were super friendly and accommodating. The room was perfect, the space used thoughtfully. All the little things were thought of, the hard to describe things. Water pressure & temperature were great, there were enough spaces to place luggage and toiletries, towels were big and fluffy. The bed was very comfy, and we loved the view! The food was delicious, breakfast and dinner. We left super early our last day and they tried to help us still get food, which was very kind! We just left wayyy too early for that. If we ever make it back to Islay, I look forward to coming back here! Probably the best hotel we’ve stayed at all year, it’s hard to beat the kind and thoughtful people at Port Charlotte.

Very cool place to explore. Small but interesting visitor center with a very nifty VR headset so you can explore the site as it would have looked in medieval times.

Wonderful small and local museum about the history of Islay. The place takes about 25-30 minutes to see but it’s only £5 for an adult and kids are free. They had a very sweet and kind staff, plus a sweet little task/treasure hunt for kids; to find some LEGO miniatures and as a reward they get to pick their own little miniature. 🙏❤️👏

The American Monument on Islay Island is truly a captivating site, offering a unique and poignant experience. Nestled on a hill with sweeping views of the surrounding landscape, the monument stands as a tribute to the American soldiers who lost their lives during World War I. Its impressive structure and serene setting make it a remarkable place to visit. The monument's beauty is especially striking when shrouded in fog, which creates a mystical and atmospheric backdrop. The fog seems to enhance the monument’s solemnity, lending an almost ethereal quality to the scene. The combination of the historic memorial and the natural fog creates a compelling contrast, making for some unforgettable photographs. During my visit, the peaceful ambiance and the monument’s commanding presence were both moving and inspiring. The surrounding landscape, with its rolling hills and distant seascapes, only added to the monument's allure. Overall, the American Monument on Islay is a stunning and meaningful destination that offers both historical significance and breathtaking natural beauty. If you get the chance, I highly recommend visiting and capturing the experience in photographs, as it is a place that leaves a lasting impression.

Most beautiful beach of all we've visited on Islay. On low tide you can access rock formations with rock pools. We've parked near the gate but there isn't much space.

I took these pictures on a rather stormy evening, but when it's sunny it's a lovely beach, where swimming is also possible in the sandy parts of the beach. What I don't like (but almost all other beaches on Islay have this issue as well) is the obligatory walk through the grazing area of a farm, which is cramped with sheep and cows and therefore it's very hard not to step onto their manure...

RSPB reserve. The day we went we did not see any particularly unusual birds but there are lovely walks around the cliffs. Very windy! Quite a rough track in places down to the parking area.

Don't take the hard way down, follow the path to the left which is much easier. Lovely gniss stones and nice and quiet.

Wonderful quality organic cotton tea towels and napkins made the best postable Christmas presents for friends and family this year. So many compliments on the gorgeous designs and colours, I shall definitely be ordering again.

From Port Ellen, drive up the Oa and go left after the graveyard at Kilnaughton. Find a parking place near the graveyard. Walk: Just before the track to the lighthouse starts, turn right and head up the hill. The tarmac road becomes a track and after a few hundred metres up the hill you go left, not the first one, that's the entrance to a new house, but the second one. Now keep on going for a mile or so passing a few gates. The track now goes left and downwards towards a big house. Stay on the track which progressively narrows. At this point you can see a few ruined buildings on your right next to the track. Leave the track, go slightly to the left and cross the field towards the fence. There's a gap in the fence where you'll find a steep track going downhill to the beach. Head back as you came whilst enjoying the beautiful views over the sea towards Kintyre, the Isle of Texa and Port Ellen. On a clear day you can see Ireland. Port an Eas Beach is a somewhat “hidden” beach on the Oa Peninsula, somewhat similar to The Singing Sands Beach Hidden because it’s not anywhere near one of the main roads on Islay and also hidden because you can literally be in the area and completely miss it. Access to this beach is not very straight forward and requires a walk over farm tracks and the last bit over grassy terrain can be wet underfoot. Getting to Port an Eas is worth it though. Let me tell you how to get here. It’s best to park next to the cemetery at Kilnaughton Bay. Walk towards Carraig Fhada lighthouse. Just before the track to the lighthouse starts turn right and head up the hill. The tarmac road becomes a track and after a few hundred metres up the hill you go left, not the first one, that’s the entrance to a new house, but the second one. Now keep on going for a mile or so passing a few gates. The track now goes left and down towards a big house. Remain on the track which get’s smaller and smaller. At this point you can see a few ruined buildings on your right next to the track. Here you should leave the track slightly to the left and cross the field towards the fence. There’s a gap in the fence where you’ll find a steep track going downhill to the beach. The views from this point are amazing and make sure to keep an eye out for the feral goats.The beach at Port an Eas is a beautiful sandy east-facing beach, completely sheltered from westerly winds. Mornings and early afternoons are best to get the most from the sun. There is a burn on the south side of the beach which is an interesting feature in between the rocks, together with the waterfall. The views from the beach are wonderful too. On a clear day you can see the Kintyre Peninsula and Mull of Kintyre and the coast of Northern Ireland. Due to its remote location you’ll probably have it all to yourself, much like some of the other beaches on Islay.