Quick Answer: What You Need to Know About Lossiemouth Beaches
Lossiemouth has two main beaches on the Moray Coast in northeast Scotland:
- East Beach: Seven miles of golden sand backed by dunes, popular with surfers, accessed via a new footbridge (opened May 2022)
- West Beach: Three miles of sand with rockpools, caves, cliffs, and views of Covesea Lighthouse, best visited at low tide
Both beaches have parking, cafes, and toilets nearby. East Beach is better for surfing and long walks. West Beach is better for exploring rockpools, wild swimming in the sheltered bay, and watching sunsets.
East Beach: Golden Sands, Dunes, and Surf
East Beach is the showstopper. It stretches seven miles from Lossiemouth to Garmouth, backed by tall sand dunes that separate it from the River Lossie. The sand is pale gold, the kind that looks almost white in strong sun, and at low tide the beach becomes a long, wide expanse after you pass the pebbly bit near the car park.
This is a rare surfing spot north of Aberdeen. The waves attract surfers year-round, and if you fancy giving it a go, New Wave Surf School in Seatown offers lessons, board hire, and wetsuits. Water temperature ranges from 5°C in winter to 15°C in summer, so yes, you’ll want that wetsuit.
The beach has plenty of space. Even on busy days you can find quiet stretches if you walk far enough. I cannot stress this enough: the length of this beach means you’re never fighting for sand.
Getting to East Beach
The new footbridge opened on May 31, 2022, after the old wooden bridge fell into disrepair and closed in July 2019. The replacement cost £1.8 million and finally restored pedestrian access across the River Lossie.
Parking can be tricky at busy times. Your options:
- Street parking near the bridge
- Small car park toward the harbour
- Gregory Place car park (free)
Public toilets are on Pitgaveny Street, about 300 meters from the bridge. There are also ice cream shops, cafes, pubs, and restaurants nearby in the town center, most with views over to East Beach.
The View from Prospect Terrace
Do yourself a favour and walk up to Prospect Terrace before you hit the sand. The viewpoint (marked as the Ramsay MacDonald viewpoint) overlooks the old Fisher Town, the esplanade, and the full sweep of East Beach. It’s one of those views that makes you stop and actually look, not just snap a photo and move on.
West Beach: Rockpools, Caves, and the Covesea Lighthouse
West Beach is the rugged one. It stretches about three miles and features rockpools, cliffs, and caves that emerge properly at low tide. Visit at high tide and you’ll miss half the appeal.
The beach curves around toward Covesea Lighthouse, built in 1846 and designed by Alan Stevenson. The lighthouse ceased operation in 2012 but is open to the public for tours (book in advance). It’s a striking landmark and was originally built to reduce tragedies at sea.
West Beach is also where you’ll find remnants of World War II coastal defences: tank traps, pill boxes, and a line of concrete defence blocks. They’re scattered along the sand and add an odd historical layer to what is otherwise a very pretty beach.
The Sheltered Bay and Wild Swimming
In front of West Beach’s car park, a small bay is protected by a natural reef and those wartime sea defences. It’s a popular spot for paddleboarding and wild swimming, and the Moray Firth Watersports Club is based here. The bay is sheltered enough that locals swim year-round, which is either admirable or slightly unhinged depending on the month.
Sunsets and Northern Lights
West Beach is a favourite for photographers chasing the Aurora Borealis. The Northern Lights are visible regularly through winter months, and the beach offers an unobstructed view north over the Moray Firth. Even if you don’t catch the lights, the sunsets here are worth the trip.
Getting to West Beach
Head toward Moray Golf Club. Behind the club there’s a steep, narrow road that leads down to the esplanade and parking area. The esplanade has a cafe with restrooms (wheelchair accessible). Locals call this area Silver Sands.
West Beach is also prime plane-spotting territory. RAF Lossiemouth is nearby, and the beach sits on the flight path for Typhoon combat aircraft. If you’re into that sort of thing, you’ll see plenty of action.
Nearby Beaches Worth Mentioning
If you’re beach-hopping along the Moray Coast, two more are within easy reach:
- Silversands Beach (1.5 miles from Lossiemouth): Pale sand interspersed with rocks, views over the Moray Firth toward Spey Bay. At low tide you can see the rocks of Little Skerries and Halliman Skerries offshore. There’s a caravan park nearby.
- Hopeman East Beach (5.5 miles from Lossiemouth): Mostly sandy with rocky patches and rockpools. Popular with surfers due to large waves.
Things to Do in Lossiemouth (Beyond the Beach)
Lossiemouth is more than just sand. The town has about 7,000 people, a strong sense of community, and enough to keep you busy for a day or two.
Windswept Brewing
Founded in 2012 by two ex-RAF pilots (Nigel Tiddy and Al Read), Windswept Brewing offers tours and tastings of their craft beers. You need to book in advance, but it’s worth it if you like beer and want to hear the story of how two pilots ended up running a brewery.
Lossiemouth Marina
Established in 1990, the marina has 125 berths with water, electricity, and free wifi. Sea angling is popular from here, and bottlenose dolphins are commonly sighted in the Moray Firth. The River Lossie, which flows between the town and East Beach, is also popular for wildlife watching and paddleboarding.
Bike Hire
Bike Revolution on Shore Street offers bike and eBike rentals. There’s a dedicated cycle path between Lossiemouth and Elgin (about 15 minutes by car), and exploring by bike is a solid option if you want to cover more ground.
Moray Golf Club
The club features courses designed by Old Tom Morris in 1889. If golf is your thing, this is a historic spot to play.
Nearby Historical Sites
Within a short drive:
- Duffus Castle
- Spynie Palace
- Sculptors Cave
- Lossie Fisheries and Community Museum (shares the town’s fishing history)
If you’re thinking of combining Lossiemouth with a broader Scottish trip, the town sits roughly between the best things to do in Aviemore in the Cairngorms and the coastline further east. Honestly, it makes for a brilliant pit stop if you’re road-tripping the Highlands.
Where to Eat in Lossiemouth
Lossiemouth has a surprising number of good eateries for a town of its size. Seafood is the obvious draw, given the fishing heritage and proximity to the Moray Firth.
Recommended Spots
- Harbour Lights: Seafood specialist. Try the crayfish and mango salad or lemon sole goujons.
- Deli-cious: Local deli serving sandwiches, salads, sausage rolls, and sweet treats. Their specialty is fresh seafood like lobster rolls, dressed crab, and full platters. Janice runs the deli, and her husband Dan catches the seafood on his fishing boat.
- Twenty Nineteen Coffee: Solid coffee and light bites.
- The Salt Cellar: Smoked haddock lasagne is a standout.
- Stotfield Hotel: Scampi and chips, classic pub fare.
- Lossie Restaurant: Another local favourite.
- Meile’s of Lossie: Ice cream on the esplanade. Tourist-friendly and right on the main strip.
- The Lossie Chip Shop: Does what it says.
- Golf View Hotel: Sit-down meals with a view.
Where to Stay
Seatown Cottage
A traditional fisherman’s cottage in the historic Seatown area, dating from around 1850. It’s been restored to a high standard with comfy sofas, a huge bath, gas fires, and modern amenities. Dog-friendly. Views of the River Lossie. If you want character and a bit of history, this is it.
Lossiemouth House B&B
Built in 1779, this is one of the oldest houses in town. Run by Alison and Hugh, who offer a personal guest experience. If you prefer a B&B over self-catering, this is a good option.
Other Options
- Firth Hotel
- Norland B&B
- Silver Sands Holiday Park (caravan site)
- Lossie Bay Caravan Park (caravan site)
Practical Information
Getting to Lossiemouth
- By car: 15-minute drive from Elgin via the A96, then coastal routes B9040 and B9103
- By bus: Regular service from Elgin
- By train and bus: Train to Elgin, then bus to Lossiemouth
There’s also a dedicated cycle path between Elgin and Lossiemouth if you’re feeling energetic. If you’re travelling up from the central belt, you might want to check out our guides to things to do in Edinburgh or Glasgow to break up the journey.
Parking
Multiple parking areas around the harbour, seafront, and beach access points. West Beach has parking at the esplanade. East Beach has street parking near the bridge and a small car park toward the harbour. Expect parking to be trickier on sunny days.
Public Toilets
Public toilets are on the esplanade in a free-standing building. They’re maintained by local community efforts, which is both impressive and slightly depressing that it’s necessary. Toilets for East Beach visitors are on Pitgaveny Street, about 300 meters from the bridge.
When to Visit
Lossiemouth has a reputation for sunshine, and locals describe the town as often basking in it. Search interest for Lossiemouth travel peaks between March and May, and honestly, spring is a sweet spot: fewer crowds, longer days, and the beaches practically to yourself. Current weather is sitting around 57°F with scattered clouds and moderate humidity (as of March 2026), so layers and a windbreaker are your friends.
Summer is busiest, obviously. If you want the beaches to yourself, visit in spring or autumn. Winter is cold but offers the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights from West Beach. If you’re into coastal day trips elsewhere in Scotland, the best things to do in Fife make a great comparison for this kind of under-the-radar coastline.
Final Thoughts
Lossiemouth punches above its weight. Two excellent beaches, decent food, a bit of history, and enough to do that you won’t get bored after an hour. I misjudged it initially (thought it would be a quick stop on the way to somewhere else) and ended up staying longer than planned.
East Beach is the one that gets all the attention, and fair enough. But don’t skip West Beach. The rockpools, the lighthouse, the sheltered bay, the wartime relics scattered along the sand, it’s a different vibe entirely, and the sunsets are better.
If you’re driving the Moray Coast, Lossiemouth is worth more than a photo stop. Give it a proper visit.