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Shetland has almost 1,700 miles of coastline, carved from a geology that’s astonishingly complex. You can find boulder-strewn storm beaches as well as many stretches of white or golden sand.

Shetland has so many beautiful beaches, it's impossible to list them all. This selection isn't definitive and doesn’t pretend to be objective. We all have our own reasons for liking particular places: maybe we recall a child’s first paddle at the water’s edge, a great barbecue on a romantic summer’s evening, a close encounter with a seal or a dramatic, salt-sprayed walk on a wild day. Some beaches impress because of the surrounding scenery or unique rock formations. Others simply provide good shelter for a picnic.

With all that in mind, we present a cross-section of Shetland beaches, each of which has something special to offer.

1,697 miles of spectacular coastline

Find your nearest Shetland beach

Get inspired before you explore

Shetland’s best beaches: by the locals
Shetland’s best beaches: by the locals
A walk to Deepdale
A walk to Deepdale
The coasteering dentist
The coasteering dentist
Have fun, stay safe

Practical information before you go...

  • Sea swimming

  • Scottish Outdoor Access Code

  • Beachcombing

  • Local beachcombing custom

  • Dog walking