Find the nearest Beaches in Ayrshire
Planning a trip to the Ayrshire coast and looking for where the nearest beach is, our beach lists will help you discover the nearest beach to me. Then for each beach, we will answer questions around location, rural or town, sandy or pebble, rockpools, tide times, weather forecast, dog restrictions, bathing water quality, closest beach cafes and provide general information on the beach and its facilities.
When on a beach page use our tools to search nearby Ayrshire seaside towns and the surrounding coast for things to see and do or places to stay and eat.
If you are looking for an award-winning beach then you can browse our Blue Flag lists or Seaside Award lists.
Finding the right beach in Ayrshire is easy – simply explore the beach links below, to find the closest hit the jump to my location compass or use the search bar to plan where your next Ayrshire beach visit should be.
- Boydston beach, also known as Ardrossan beach, is a sandy beach with a view across to Arran. Ardrossan has a harbour, shops and multiple options to eat something.
- Pencil beach is a sandy beach named after the monument that commemorates the Battle of Largs 1263. The beach is more popular with sailing and has a club and marina. Good launching facilities.
- Saltcoats sandy beach is popular along with local walks and cycle-paths. Saltcoats name is derived from the town’s earliest industry when salt was harvested from the sea water. The harbour built in 1680 ensured the town developed as a port trading in salt, fish and coal. The North Ayrshire Museum displays relics of the towns nautical past and on the archaeology, costume, transport, culture and country life with a reconstructed traditional Ayrshire cottage interior. After the turn of the twentieth century and the decline of salt panning in the town, Saltcoats became increasingly popular as a holiday destination.
- Newtown beach at Millport on Cumbrae Island is a beach of sand in a sheltered bay harbour and old pier.
- Maidens Turnberry beach is thought to be named from The Maidens of Turnberry, a series of rocks in Maidenhead Bay which have became an extension to Maidens harbour wall. This is a sandy beach that curves in the bay northwards away from the harbour and village of Maidens.
- Fairlie beach is on the eastern shore of the Firth of Clyde and looks across to the Isle of Arran and the Cumbraes. The beach here is a mix of sand, shingle and rocks.
- Croy beach also known as Maybole shore,is a long sandy beach with plenty of room for everybody. Popular with windsurfers and land yachters. Car parking available by the beach.
- Whiting Bay is a beach with a mixture of sand and pebbles, with some good rock pools to explore. Parking available but all facilities in Lamlash village.
- Troon’s South Sands beach is a long and wide sandy beach with a promenade and some grass areas behind. Popular kitesurfing and windsurfing beach along with Troon’s North beach. Facilities include car parking, shops, pub, cafe, toilets, and promenade. As you head south on the beach the houses end and you are backed by the Royal Troon Golf Club. Founded in 1878 with just 5 holes, and extended to become an 18 hole course in 1886, and it first held the Open Championship in 1923.
- Troon’s North Sands beach is a sandy beach with a large grass area behind. Popular kitesurfing and windsurfing beach along with Troon’s South beach. Facilities include car parking, shops, pub, cafe and toilets.
- Girvan beach is a mile long wide sandy beach backed by large grass areas, with the beach stretching away from the harbour pier and it is just a short stroll into the town. The is one of the most popular beaches in Ayrshire and has the facilities you would expect in and around Girvan itself. There are options to park at the northern pier end or the southern end, although the south has a cafe and toilets more facilities exist at the northern end and this is the main used stretch.
- Barassie beach is a sandy beach backed by grass areas to the north of Troon Harbour and has views of the Firth of Clyde and the Isle of Arran. The beach is an extension to Troon North Sands. Barassie beach is a popular for watersports including kitesurfing, windsurfing and sailing. Facilities include parking, toilets and grassy areas.
