Surfing the Outer Hebrides: Isle of Lewis & Harris

Surfing Beaches on Isle of Lewis & Harris

This April, we travelled to the Outer Hebrides to experience the wild beauty of the Isle of Lewis and Harris (they are actually one island). Often overlooked, this corner of Scotland is a haven for surfers looking for empty beaches, dramatic landscapes, and powerful Atlantic swell. This place was truly incredible and we got lucky with the surf! 

Surfing in the Outer Hebrides offers a raw, quiet experience that’s increasingly rare in the UK. Most of the waves here break over wide, open beaches surrounded by dramatic landscapes and near-total silence—just you, the sea, and maybe a few seabirds. There are no surf shops, no lifeguards, and not much in the way of facilities, so you need to come prepared.

On the days we surfed, the rips were fairly mellow and mostly visible to the eye, but we’ve heard that on bigger days things can get a bit tricky. Most of the beaches we visited were manageable for anyone who’s already confident standing up on a board, though some sessions definitely leaned more toward intermediate and up.

There wasn’t a ton of reliable info online about these spots, and understandably, locals tend to keep them hush hush. What we’ve written here is based on our own experience, a few chats with other surfers, and what little we could find online. There are no surf cams, but we found the forecast on Surfline to be fairly accurate while we were there.

Eoropie Beach – Isle of Lewis - Beach break

A really stunning beach, with some occasional cows lazing around. Looks like the Caribbean when the sun comes out. 

Getting there and parking: Follow the gps. There are a few parking spaces near the kids play area and its a 5 minute walk down to the beach. 

Cliff Beach – Isle of Lewis - Beach break

This beach was beautiful with the jagged cliffs surrounding either side of the beach. It seemed to work best on the right hand side (if you're looking out to sea) at mid tide with left and rights working. 

Getting there and parking: Follow the gps to. You can also camp for a fiver right next to the beach!

Scarista Beach – Isle of Harris - Beach break

Probably the most beautiful beach of the island and better suited to beginners. If you're looking out to sea, the far right side seemed to work best. 

Getting there and parking: You can park near the cemetery and go through a field to access the beach. There are some great camp spots about 5 minutes up the road on park4night. 

Barvas Beach – Isle of Lewis - Reef break

We saw videos from other surfers on the break and it looks like an incredible wave but probably only suitable for intermediate and up.  Bare in mind that the walk out is pretty tough on the feet so best to bring some boots!

Getting there and parking: This beach is a little harder to find. You need to drive through a few fields to get there but you will see a few campers parked up by the beach when you arrive.

Dalmore Beach (Traigh Dhail Mòr) – Beach break

Another gorgeous beach with a cosy feel. It seemed to work best from low to mid but doesn't work at high tide. 

Getting there and parking: Follow the gps. There is parking right next to the beach.

Mangersta Beach and Luskentyre Beach

While we didnt surf at these beaches we also came across Mangersta Beach and Luskentyre Beach. Luskentyre would probably need a big swell to work and Mangersta had some very strong rips but we heard they can work in certain conditions. 

Here is a little map to of all the spots we talked about

General Surf Advice

Best season: Autumn to early spring for swell; summer can be calm but great for learning
Water temp: Cold year-round (7–13°C). You’ll need a 5/4mm wetsuit, boots, gloves, and hood
Crowds: Minimal. You’ll often surf alone—so don’t take risks
Hazards: No lifeguards. Be confident in your ability, check tides, and watch for changing conditions
Boards: Bring your own if possible; local hire is limited and remote

Getting to Lewis & Harris

Getting to the Outer Hebrides is part of the adventure. The remote beauty of Lewis and Harris means it's not the most straightforward trip—but that’s exactly what makes it so rewarding.

We made our way via Ullapool, a small, picturesque village on Scotland’s northwest coast. From there, we boarded the CalMac ferry to Stornoway, the main town on the Isle of Lewis. The crossing takes about 2.5 hours, and on a clear day, the views across the Minch are nothing short of stunning.

If you're planning your own trip, here are the main options:

🚗 Option 1: Ferry via Ullapool (Mainland to Stornoway)

Drive or take public transport to Ullapool

Ferry to Stornoway (Lewis)

Most direct and common route

Ferry bookings can fill up quickly—book early, especially in summer

✈️ Option 2: Fly to Stornoway

Direct flights from Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Inverness

Quick and efficient—perfect if you're tight on time

Great if you’re not bringing boards or bulky gear

🚗⛴️ Option 3: Ferry via Skye to Tarbert (Harris)

Drive to Uig on the Isle of Skye

Ferry to Tarbert (Harris)

Ideal if you want to explore Skye as part of your trip

Slower but incredibly scenic

Booking the Ferry

We visited in April and managed to book the ferry last minute. However, during busier months (May to September), ferry space for vehicles—especially campervans—can fill up quickly. Book in advance to avoid disappointment, particularly on popular routes like Ullapool to Stornoway or Uig (Skye) to Tarbert (Harris)

Van Camping in the Outer Hebrides: What to Know Before You Go

Exploring Lewis and Harris by van was one of the highlights of our trip. Van camping gave us the freedom to follow the swell, stay close to remote beaches, and fall asleep to the sound of the sea. 

We found most of our overnight spots through the Park4Night app, which is incredibly useful for locating both official and informal parking areas. Some spots had no signage at all, while others had honesty boxes, text-to-pay instructions, or required a permit from the local council. If you prefer more facilities (like toilets or hook-ups), there are also dedicated campsites throughout the islands.

Between Park4Night and a quick Google search, you’ll have no trouble finding a place to stop—just travel with respect, follow local guidelines, and always leave no trace.

Watch Out for Midges

We were lucky—no midges on this trip. But depending on the year, they can be relentless, especially from late spring through summer. If you’re travelling in a van, it’s worth bringing mesh screens for your windows or sliding doors so you can keep cool without letting the bugs in.

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