Best Beaches in Moray
Written by UK Hidden Gems Editorial
Updated 5 August 2026
The best beaches in Moray are Sunnyside Beach, West Beach and Hopeman East Beach.
The Moray coast runs along the southern shore of the Moray Firth in the northeast of Scotland, a stretch of pale sand, low sandstone cliffs, sea caves and quiet fishing villages that too few visitors think to explore. It is a coast of big skies and long westward views, where clear water meets rock pools and, on the right night, the northern lights can flare over the sea.
This short roundup gathers three of its most rewarding beaches. Secluded Sunnyside Beach hides below the cliffs between Cullen and Sandend, reached only on foot and watched over by the ruin of Findlater Castle.
West Beach at Lossiemouth mixes rock pools, caves and wartime relics with a reef-sheltered bay and a proper car park behind. Hopeman East Beach, beside its harbour, is fronted by a well-known row of brightly painted beach huts.
Between them they show off the variety of this underrated shore, from a wild hidden cove to easy village sand. Here are three of the best beaches to seek out in Moray.
Sunnyside Beach
Photo: Bill Harrison via Geograph.org.uk
Sunnyside Beach is a small, secluded cove of pale sand on the Moray coast between Cullen and Sandend, reached only on foot along a clifftop path. Clear water, rock pools and low cliffs make it a quiet spot for a swim, a paddle or a spot of beachcombing.
Its great backdrop is the ruin of Findlater Castle, perched on a steep promontory on the cliffs just to the east. There is no road down.
The walk in is from a car park at a disused farm off the main road, and there are no facilities at the shore, so bring what you need. Follow the clifftop path down to seek out this hidden cove and its castle view.
West Beach
Photo: Richard Hoare via Geograph.org.uk
West Beach is the beach on the western side of Lossiemouth in Moray, running toward Covesea and its lighthouse. It is rockier than the town's East Beach, with rock pools, low cliffs and caves, and it still carries concrete tank traps and pillboxes from the Second World War on the sand.
A small reef-sheltered bay is used for paddleboarding and swimming, while the westward view makes it a fine spot for sunsets and, on clear nights, the northern lights. A road drops down behind the golf club to parking, a cafe and toilets, so it is one of the easier beaches here to reach.
Head down past the golf club to seek this beach out.
Hopeman East Beach
Photo: Colin Smith via Geograph.org.uk
Hopeman East Beach is a sandy shore beside the harbour of the village of Hopeman, on the Moray Firth coast between Burghead and Lossiemouth. A row of brightly painted beach huts lines the back of the sand, a well-known local sight that draws photographers along this coast.
The harbour divides this sandier beach from a rockier one to the west, and sandstone coves and caves run along the coast nearby. The Moray Coast Trail passes through the village, so the beach makes an easy stop on a longer coastal walk.
Wander down to the harbour to seek out this cheerful village beach and its painted huts.
FAQs
Which Moray beach is easiest to reach?
West Beach at Lossiemouth and Hopeman East Beach are both easy, with roads leading down to parking near the shore. Sunnyside Beach is the exception, reached only on foot along a clifftop path from a car park at a disused farm.
Can you see the northern lights on the Moray coast?
Yes, on the right night. West Beach faces west along the coast, and its open view makes it a known spot for both sunsets and the northern lights when conditions allow. Clear, dark skies away from town lights give the best chance.
Do any of these beaches have facilities?
Some do. West Beach has parking, a cafe and toilets down behind the golf club, and Hopeman sits right beside its village and harbour. Sunnyside, by contrast, has no facilities at all, so come prepared.
Conclusion
The Moray coast may be quieter and less celebrated than Scotland's grander shores, but that is exactly its appeal. In these three beaches you get the full range, from the wild seclusion of Sunnyside, reached on foot below its castle ruin, to the rock pools, caves and wartime relics of West Beach at Lossiemouth, and the easy, cheerful village sand at Hopeman with its painted huts.
Some have parking, a cafe and toilets close by, while Sunnyside asks for a clifftop walk and offers nothing at the shore, so plan according to the day you want. Bring the tides and the weather into your thinking, take your litter home, and keep well clear of the crumbling cliff edges.
Whether you come to swim, beachcomb or simply watch the sun set over the firth, these are the best beaches to seek out in Moray.
