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An Corran Beach

Пляж Ан-Корран
United Kingdom · Beach · Portree
high
Best month: July

Best for

Ideal for nature and history lovers. Suitable for walks and searching for dinosaur footprints. Not suitable for swimming due to cold water.

Best month

July

Water
+12.0°C
Length
290 m
An Corran Beach is a small black-sand beach on the Trotternish peninsula, 17 miles north of Portree. It is famous for fossilised dinosaur footprints visible at low tide, making it popular among tourists.
Surface
sand
Waves
calm
Entry
gentle
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
An Corran Beach is a small black-sand beach on the Trotternish peninsula, 17 miles north of Portree. It is famous for fossilised dinosaur footprints visible at low tide, making it popular among tourists.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • Unique dinosaur footprints
  • Scenic beach with views of the Quiraing
  • Calm atmosphere
  • Free entry
  • Free parking
  • Opportunity to see seabirds and seals

Cons

  • No infrastructure: no toilets or cafes
  • Cold water
  • Footprints visible only at low tide
  • Limited parking
  • Rocky sections, slippery seaweed
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for nature and history lovers. Suitable for walks and searching for dinosaur footprints. Not suitable for swimming due to cold water.
Features
What makes this beach unique
Fossilised footprints of ornithopod dinosaurs, 170 million years old, visible at low tide. One of the few places in the world where you can "walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs".
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
beige
Sand Texture
Grain size
fine
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
gentle
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
15 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
sand
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
recommended
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
290 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
blue
Water Clarity
high
Underwater Visibility
8.0 m
Average Water Temp
+12.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+16.0 °C
Wave Type
calm
Wave Height
0.3 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
July August
Season end
August
Best month
July
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
low
Water Quality
Water purity rating
excellent
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
low
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
none
Crime Level
Overall safety level
safe
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
17.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
No serious threats.
Dangerous creatures
jellyfish
crabs
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Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
No
Umbrellas
No
Showers
No
Toilets
No
Changing Rooms
No
Lifeguards
No
First Aid
No
Parking
Yes
Wi-Fi
No
Kids Playground
No
Sports Ground
No
Restaurants Nearby
1 pcs
Best restaurants

Staffin Community Café

Scottish

Cafe in Staffin village 0.7 miles from the beach, with home baking and soups

Nearby cuisines

Scottish

Home-style Scottish cuisine

Must try: Soup, baked goods, tea
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
calm
Crowd Level
uncrowded
Silence Level
quiet
Sunset Quality
beautiful
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
No
Natural Shade
none
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
No
Diving
No
Surfing
No
Kayaking / SUP
Yes
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Towel Warm clothes Water shoes Cash Windbreaker Camera
Best Time to Swim
The best time to visit is low tide, when the dinosaur footprints are visible. Fewer people in the morning.
Local Rules
Touching dinosaur footprints is prohibited. Dogs must be on a lead. Take your rubbish with you.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Quiraing

Scenic mountain range with unique rock formations and hiking trails.

Staffin Museum

Museum with a fossil collection and dinosaur exhibition.

Old Man of Storr

Famous rock pinnacle on Skye, 15 km from the beach.

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
An Corran Beach: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — blue, clarity high, average temperature +12.0°C, warms up to +16.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
An Corran Beach: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — calm. Average wave height — 0.3 m. Calm water is great for families with children and those who prefer not to deal with strong swell.
An Corran Beach: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — gentle. The shallow area extends for 15 metres from the shore. Bottom — sand. It is recommended to bring aqua shoes — parts of the bottom have rocks or corals. The gentle slope is safe for children and inexperienced swimmers.
An Corran Beach: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — beige. Texture — fine. Beach length — 290 metres.
An Corran Beach: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in July, August. It ends in August. The best month for a holiday is July. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
An Corran Beach: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as excellent. Rip currents are unlikely. Jellyfish risk — low. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
An Corran Beach: which dangerous creatures live in the water?
The water contains: jellyfish, crabs. We recommend wearing protective footwear, not touching marine life and taking care when entering the water.
An Corran Beach: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: parking. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
An Corran Beach: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
There are no lifeguards on the beach — be especially careful when swimming.
An Corran Beach: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Staffin Community Café. Cuisines available: Scottish. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
An Corran Beach: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Towel, Warm clothes, Water shoes, Cash, Windbreaker, Camera.
An Corran Beach: when is the best time to swim?
The best time to visit is low tide, when the dinosaur footprints are visible. Fewer people in the morning.
An Corran Beach: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Touching dinosaur footprints is prohibited. Dogs must be on a lead. Take your rubbish with you.
An Corran Beach: what activities are available?
The beach offers: kayaking and SUP. See the "Activities" section above for details.
An Corran Beach: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for nature and history lovers. Suitable for walks and searching for dinosaur footprints. Not suitable for swimming due to cold water.
An Corran Beach: what makes this beach unique?
Fossilised footprints of ornithopod dinosaurs, 170 million years old, visible at low tide. One of the few places in the world where you can "walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs".
An Corran Beach: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: Unique dinosaur footprints, Scenic beach with views of the Quiraing, Calm atmosphere, Free entry, Free parking, Opportunity to see seabirds and seals. Cons: No infrastructure: no toilets or cafes, Cold water, Footprints visible only at low tide, Limited parking, Rocky sections, slippery seaweed.
An Corran Beach: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Quiraing, Staffin Museum, Old Man of Storr. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
An Corran Beach: how do I get to the city of Portree?
The beach is located near the city of Portree. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Portree.

City

Portree

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.