Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Sophie Law

The breathtaking NC500 beach that's hidden away and looks like tropical island

With long stretches of white sand and crystal clear waters, you'd be mistaken for thinking this beach is in the Caribbean.

But Sinclair’s Bay isn't an exotic tropical island, it's actually in Caithness, just off the main road from Wick to John O' Groats.

With high cliffs, sand dunes and 16th century castles at both ends of the beach, it's the perfect place to stop off in you're doing the North Coast 500.

The NC500 website says its "white sand and azure waters make the coastline look almost tropical" and what's more, you can see glorious sunsets and Northern Lights depending on the season. This is because the sun doesn’t set until almost midnight in June, while spectacular aurora borealis can be spotted during the winter months.

Killer whales are regularly spotted in the waters, with Scotland's famous 27s pod recently sighted coasting through the sea not far from the beach.

Sinclair's Bay is actually made up of two beaches which are split up by a stream. At the southern end is Reiss Beach which is sandy, while the northern end of the bay is Keiss beach which is rocky at low tide.

A popular spot for surfers and dog walkers, the beach is also relatively quiet, with tourists praising it for being a hidden gem that's somewhat undiscovered. Many visitors on TripAdvisor have noted being the only person on the beach during their visit.

One review on TripAdvisor states: "We enjoyed a lovely walk along the Sandy beach. It was so quiet and peaceful, with just the gentle roar of the ocean," while another read: "Beautiful coast, wonderful beaches, clean air and no one in sight, what more could you ask for? Just go along and see for yourself."

Another tourist wrote: "It's beautiful. The coast line is rugged and seemingly endless. As you travel around you get many views of it.

"Great place to walk, swim, fish or just enjoy the view. Rarely busy and a great place to walk. You can exercise dogs, jog, play cricket, hockey, body board or do all sorts of activities here."

"Beautiful natural coastal views across the North Sea with hardly a soul in sight ! Clean windswept stretch of sand washed by stunning surf. Ideal for dog walkers and energetic families," another person wrote.

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - sign up to our daily newsletter here.

READ NEXT:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.