• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Islay dot Scot
  • Home
  • About Islay
  • Places
  • Villages
  • Blog
  • Islay Photo Prints
  • Cart

Islay dot Scot

Isle of Islay Info and Photos

  • Beaches
  • Whisky
  • History
  • Out and About
  • Wildlife
  • Events
  • Ferry History

Portnahaven Beach

October 17, 2021 by ron

The terraced houses of the small village of Portnahaven are built around a beautiful bay. At the top of the bay is Portnahaven Beach, you can’t really miss it. Portnahaven Beach is often used by the locals and their kids to relax and play. It’s also used as a launching site for the fireworks at Guy Fawkes night. Another beach nearby is The currie Sands, more to the west, at Claddach.

Portnahaven Village and Beach
Portnahaven Village and Beach

Portnahaven Beach

The slipway at the top of Portnahaven beach can be used to launch a small boat and it gives access to the beach. In the summer time these boats are moored in the bay, the same bay where many seals can be observed. Or are you observed by the seals? Who can tell. One thing is certain, they are curious and very easy to spot in this part of Islay, you won’t be disappointed. The beach is often sandy, sometimes shingle, and is backed by a rather wild grassy area.

Portnahaven Beach and Bay
Portnahaven Beach and Bay

Portnahaven beach is a good spot to observe and enjoy the quiet village life. The seals are often sunbathing on the rocks, the fishing boats usually moored a bit further on in the harbour. Pure bliss. Portnahaven is a very beautiful and picturesque village, perhaps one of the most picturesque in the west of Scotland. It’s ideal for a day trip or for a longer stay in the many self catering accommodations. The nearest hotel and bar is in Port Charlotte. The nearest pub round the corner at the end of the bay called An Tigh Seinnse.




Portnahaven Lighthouse

Eye catcher in Portnahaven is the Rhinns Lighthouse on the Isle of Orsay. And if you walk to Port Wemyss you can observe the lighthouse even better from the Path of the Fishermen, the coastal path along the rocky shore.

Related Posts
Ardnave Point and Ardnave BeachesArdnave Point and Ardnave Beaches
Uiskentuie StrandUiskentuie Strand
The Big Strand Beach IslayThe Big Strand Beach Islay
Portnahaven Seals and Lighthouse
Portnahaven Seals and Lighthouse

See and Do around Portnahaven

Besides the The Currie Sands Beach further west you can make very nice walks in the area or drive up the west road towards Lossit Bay, the Cultoon Stone Circle or Kilchiaran Bay. The west road ends in Port Charlotte. The entire coastline towards Claddach and east from Port Wemyss are perfect locations to go wave-watching during or after a big storm. It can be pretty wild out here, on the most south-western tip of the Rhinns of Islay.

Stunning Portnahaven Sunset and Fishing Boat
Stunning Portnahaven Sunset and Fishing Boat

Filed Under: Islay Beaches Tagged With: Beach, Port Wemyss, Portnahaven, Rhinns Lighthouse, Rhinns of Islay

Primary Sidebar

Discover Islay’s Wildlife

Seal Pup on the Rocks at Ardnave

Islay Wildlife

I'm not sure if there are places in Europe where wildlife is more abundant and as diverse as on Islay. Wherever you walk or drive, there is always something to be seen, and often something special … Read More... about Islay Wildlife

Islay for Dutch Speakers

On our website www.steenvoorden.me is more info on Islay available in the Dutch language.

Follow us on Social Media

We’re posting our updates and lots of photos on BlueSky Social.

Search the site ..

Explore Islay by Bike

Islay Bikehire

Some recent updates

Islay Accommodation Self Catering Cottage

Islay Accommodation – How to Save Money

Islay Accommodation - How to Save Money: For the last 19 years I have managed … [Read More...] about Islay Accommodation – How to Save Money

Thomas Telford Church Portnahaven

Thomas Telford Churches on Islay

Thomas Telford was quite the Scottish engineer in his days. Thomas Telford is … [Read More...] about Thomas Telford Churches on Islay

Footer

A Personal Note

This website is not an (un)official Islay Tourism initiative in any way. It’s a place where I write about my own personal experiences, trips, walks, meetings and share some articles for which I’ve been given permission personally to publish them.

The photos are all taken by myself and can be purchased either by making an enquiry directly to me or by visiting the Islay Prints section Here

Recent

  • Islay Federation Local History Project
  • Islay Accommodation – How to Save Money
  • Thomas Telford Churches on Islay
  • Kilnave Cross and Chapel
  • Kildalton Cross and Chapel

Shop Info

My Account – Privacy Policy – Purchase Agreement – Terms and Conditions

Sitemap to All Posts and Pages

Scroll Through the Categories

Website by Rons Pixels © 2022 - About me - Contact