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Home / Beaches / Spiggie Beach

Spiggie Beach

Пляж Спигги
United Kingdom · Beach · Lerwick
crystal
Best month: July

Best for

Ideal for wildlife lovers, photographers and those seeking a secluded nature retreat. Suitable for walks and seal watching.

Best month

July

Water
+9.0°C
Length
800 m
Spiggie Beach, also known as Scousburgh Sands, is a scenic white-sand beach in the south of Shetland. It is known as one of the cleanest and most beautiful spots in Scotland, ideal for swimming and walks.
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
Spiggie Beach, also known as Scousburgh Sands, is a scenic white-sand beach in the south of Shetland. It is known as one of the cleanest and most beautiful spots in Scotland, ideal for swimming and walks.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • White coral sand
  • Crystal-clear water
  • Seal colony
  • Scenic dunes
  • Secluded location
  • Parking nearby
  • Suitable for camping

Cons

  • Very cold water even in summer
  • No lifeguards
  • No infrastructure
  • Can be windy
  • Requires transport from Lerwick
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for wildlife lovers, photographers and those seeking a secluded nature retreat. Suitable for walks and seal watching.
Features
What makes this beach unique
Spiggie Beach is known as one of the most beautiful beaches in the Shetland Islands. Its white coral sand and turquoise water resemble tropical beaches. A large seal colony lives here and can be observed in its natural habitat.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
white
Sand Texture
Grain size
fine
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
gentle
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
20 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
sand
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
not needed
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
800 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
turquoise
Water Clarity
crystal
Average Water Temp
+9.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+13.0 °C
Wave Type
calm
Wave Height
0.3 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
July August
Season end
September
Best month
July
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
none
Water Quality
Water purity rating
excellent
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
moderate
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
none
Crime Level
Overall safety level
safe
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
15.0 km
Dangerous creatures
lion-s mane jellyfish
Insurance & Connectivity
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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
0 pcs
Best restaurants

Spiggie Bar And Restaurant

Scottish

Restaurant at Spiggie Hotel with fresh seafood and views over Loch Spiggie.

St Ninian-s Isle Cafe

Scottish

Cafe a 6-minute drive from the beach.

Frankie-s

Scottish

Fish and chips restaurant in Brae.

Nearby cuisines

Scottish

Scottish cuisine with seafood and local produce.

Must try: Fresh fish, scallops, Cullen skink
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
sleepy
Crowd Level
wild
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
No
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Warm clothing Towel Windbreaker Thermos Binoculars
Best Time to Swim
Best time is from July to September when the water is warmest. Seals are most active in the morning.
Local Rules
Disturbing seals and other wildlife is prohibited. Do not leave rubbish. Swimming at your own risk.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Loch Spiggie

Scenic lake with rich wildlife, popular for birdwatching.

St Ninian-s Isle

Island with chapel ruins and a sandy tombolo.

Lerwick

Main town of Shetland with a harbour and museums.

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Spiggie Beach: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — turquoise, clarity crystal, average temperature +9.0°C, warms up to +13.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Spiggie 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.
Spiggie Beach: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — gentle. The shallow area extends for 20 metres from the shore. Bottom — sand. Special shoes are not required — the water entry is comfortable. The gentle slope is safe for children and inexperienced swimmers.
Spiggie Beach: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — white. Texture — fine. Beach length — 800 metres.
Spiggie Beach: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in July, August. It ends in September. The best month for a holiday is July. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Spiggie Beach: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as excellent. There are no rip currents — swimming is safe. Jellyfish risk — moderate. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Spiggie Beach: which dangerous creatures live in the water?
The water contains: lion-s mane jellyfish. We recommend wearing protective footwear, not touching marine life and taking care when entering the water.
Spiggie Beach: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: parking. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Spiggie Beach: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
There are no lifeguards on the beach — be especially careful when swimming.
Spiggie Beach: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Spiggie Bar And Restaurant, St Ninian-s Isle Cafe, Frankie-s. Cuisines available: Scottish. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Spiggie Beach: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Warm clothing, Towel, Windbreaker, Thermos, Binoculars.
Spiggie Beach: when is the best time to swim?
Best time is from July to September when the water is warmest. Seals are most active in the morning.
Spiggie Beach: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Disturbing seals and other wildlife is prohibited. Do not leave rubbish. Swimming at your own risk.
Spiggie Beach: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for wildlife lovers, photographers and those seeking a secluded nature retreat. Suitable for walks and seal watching.
Spiggie Beach: what makes this beach unique?
Spiggie Beach is known as one of the most beautiful beaches in the Shetland Islands. Its white coral sand and turquoise water resemble tropical beaches. A large seal colony lives here and can be observed in its natural habitat.
Spiggie Beach: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: White coral sand, Crystal-clear water, Seal colony, Scenic dunes, Secluded location, Parking nearby, Suitable for camping. Cons: Very cold water even in summer, No lifeguards, No infrastructure, Can be windy, Requires transport from Lerwick.
Spiggie Beach: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Loch Spiggie, St Ninian-s Isle, Lerwick. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Spiggie Beach: how do I get to the city of Lerwick?
The beach is located near the city of Lerwick. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Lerwick.

City

Lerwick

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