Sango Sands is an area near Durness in northern Scotland, consisting of a beautiful beach, a great viewpoint and a clifftop campsite. Here is a complete guide.
How To Get To Sango Sands
This is the most north westerly area on mainland Scotland, making it understandably quite far from large towns and cities.
It’s 104miles (167km) from Inverness and the closest town would be Thurso which is 70 miles (113km) away.
By Car:
Situated just off the A838, the Sango Sands area is right next to the village of Durness in Scotland.
There are lots of free carparks to choose from in the area.
By Tour:
For those short on time, or that prefer everything to be organised for them, there are some awesome tours on Get Your Guide available to book in advance.
For a tour that takes in all the best spots in this part of the world, including Sango Sands, From Edinburgh: 8-Day Skye, Orkney & North Coast 500 Tour looks great.
Sango Sands Entrance Fee
It’s free to visit this beach & viewpoint.
Prices for camping can be found on the Sango Sands website.
Sango Sands Opening Times
This beach is open every day, all year round.
Best Time To Visit Sango Sands + Tips
Beautiful at any time of the year, but especially during the summer months if you want to make the most of the beach.
The campsite is pretty much closed from October to April.
Remember your binoculars for the viewpoint.
We visited after waking up at Balnakeil Beach and heading to Balnakeil Craft Village for the best hot chocolate we found on our NC500 itinerary (at Cocoa Mountain).
What To Pack
What To Expect At Sango Sands
The area of Sango Sands includes a beautiful beach, a great viewpoint and a clifftop campsite.
Sango Sands Beach
Easily accessible from various carparks, this stunning stretch of golden sand is divided into three different coves by a series of rocky outcrops.
Relatively quiet, with soft, clean golden sand and clear blue waters, Sango Sands beach is perfect for a family day out, a relaxing stroll or some great surfing.
On a warm summers day it definitely feels and looks like you are somewhere tropical.
At the back of the beach you will find large sand dunes covered with machair grass as well as the steep cliffs of Creag Thairbhe to the east.
Being the closest beach to Durness and also easy to reach, it is quite a popular beach. However, due to its remote location in the far north of Scotland, it still never gets overly busy.
With its sheer cliffs, rock formations, sand dunes, and stretch of golden sand , this is one of the most spectacular and varied beaches in the Highlands.
An easy addition to the best things to do on the North Coast 500.
Sango Sands Viewpoint
Located towards the left side of Sango Sands Beach is a headland viewpoint that offers great, panoramic views out across the Atlantic Ocean and the Minch.
The southern extension of the Minch is a channel of water that separates the Outer Hebrides Islands and the mainland of Scotland.
Furthermore, the Minch is actually full of wildlife, in the water and on the surrounding islands. Including swooping Gannets that feed on fish from the ocean as well as seals and otters that reside on the surrounding rocks off the islands.
Also a busy shipping lane, the Minch is a good place to spot pods of dolphins and if you a very lucky, occasionally a Minke whale!
Therefore, if you are a keen on birdwatching and wildlife, bring your binoculars, sit back and enjoy!
Also save time for Smoo Cave which is just along the coast.
Sango Sands Oasis Campsite
Also known as Sango Sands Oasis, this clifftop campsite with stunning views, is ideally situated just above Sango Sands beach.
The campsite is open from April through to the end of October with limited facilities in off season.
Catering for motorhomes, caravans, tents or even small van or car conversions, this campsite has everything you need.
The campsite is dog friendly and offers all the normal facilities including, electric hook up, dishwashing and laundry facilities. As well as, a Campers Kitchen and Breakfast Bar selling hot rolls and tea/coffee for those in tents.
Furthermore, a new, modern toilet and shower block was completed in 2019 and there is a a mini supermarket adjacent to the site.
With a beautiful beach a short walk away, stunning walks and a magnificent viewpoint, this campsite is a perfect holiday base.
I recommend that you check out their website for prices and availability.
Where To Stay In Scotland
Luxury – exploreNESS Apartment
Offering free WiFi and free private parking, exploreNESS Apartment is located in Inverness, just 0.8 miles from Inverness Castle.
The property is less than 0.6 miles from Inverness Museum and Art Gallery and 1.6 miles from Caledonian Thistle.
The apartment features 1 bedroom, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, a washing machine, and 1 bathroom with a shower. Towels and bed linen are provided.
A buffet breakfast is available daily at the apartment.
Mid-Budget – Loch Earn
Located 1.7 miles from Inverness Castle, Loch Earn provides accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking.
There is also a kitchen in some of the units with a dishwasher, a fridge, and an oven.
A continental breakfast is available daily at the bed and breakfast.
Guests can relax in the garden at the property.
Budget – Inverness Youth Hostel
Just 10 minutes’ walk from Inverness Rail Station, Inverness Youth Hostel offers free private parking and bicycle storage.
Eastgate shopping centre is a 10-minute walk from this hostel. Hootananny, a popular music venue, is just 15 minutes’ walk away.
Culloden Battlefield and its visitor centre is just a 10-minute drive away. The banks of Loch Ness and the country village of Dores are both a 20-minute drive away.
All rooms have a shared bathroom. Packed lunch and luggage storage is available on request.
For more places to stay in Scotland, you can check the latest prices on Booking.com.
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