British Beaches

Visitor information for every beach in the UK

"Under the sea, under the sea, Darling it's better down where it's wetter, Take it from me"

St. Andrews East Sands

Fife, Scotland


Rate this beach!
Approximate Location Map

Use two fingers to pan or zoom the map

St. Andrews East Sands is a popular beach destination in Fife, Scotland, that offers a fun-filled day out for families and a range of activities for visitors of all ages.

St. Andrews is a well-known visitor destination in Fife, and its beaches are one of the main reasons for visiting. East Sands, located on the south side of the old harbour, is a favourite among both locals and visitors to Fife. The beach features a sandy shoreline with a path on the inland side, making it an ideal location for walkers.

East Sands offers a range of amenities, including a café, play park, and toilet facilities (seasonal). The beach is also serviced by a nearby car park and first aid facilities, making it one of the most accessible beaches in the area. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, such as fishing, surfing, swimming, kayaking, and windsurfing. The beach is situated on the Fife Coastal Path and is close to the harbour and sailing club, making it perfect for water sports enthusiasts.

The beach is a great destination for families, with a children's play area and on-duty lifeguards during peak season. The café and nearby amenities make it an ideal venue for a fun-filled family day out at the seaside.

St. Andrews East Sands is adjacent to the Fife Coastal Path.

Harbour Sand Rock

Weather and tides for Thursday 17 July

Today
Chance of rain 82%
Max temp. 21°C
(feels like 19°C)
Wind 16mph
Max UV Index
Tonight
Chance of rain 57%
Min temp. 16°C
(feels like 16°C)
Wind 7mph

The tide at St. Andrews East Sands is currently falling. Low tide will be at approximately 1:39 PM, and the next high tide will be at approximately 8:11 PM.

Today's air pollution levels are forecast to be Low

Approximate sea surface temperature:   14.2°C  

Detailed weather and tides »
  • Facilities

    Campsite Food available Toilets Shops Litter bins Slipway
  • Popular Activities

    Bird watching Sunbathing Swimming Walking Water sports
  • Features

    Children's play area Information centre Museum Tourist information
  • Sea Life

    Dolphins Seals
  • Parking

    There is free parking next to the beach.

  • Dogs

    Dogs are not allowed on the beach.

  • Beach Cleaning

    Beach cleaned weekly.

  • Lifeguard

    Daily - 25th June - 4th September

  • Awards

    Green Coast Award

  • Water Quality

    Excellent water quality

    Excellent water quality

Recommended holiday cottages near St. Andrews East Sands

Things to do and see in the area

St Andrews Cathedral (0.4 miles)
St Andrews Ghost Tours (0.6 miles)
University of St Andrews (0.7 miles)
The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (1 miles)
Eden Mill (1 miles)
The Swilcan Bridge (1.1 miles)
The Himalayas Putting Course (1.2 miles)
St Andrews Links (1.7 miles)
Craigtoun Country Park (2.6 miles)

All distances are approximate

Other beaches nearby

Location: St Andrews

Location type: Urban

OS Grid: NO518162

Country: Scotland

Local Authority: Fife

Nearest postcode: KY16 8LB

(for sat-nav purposes only, a beach does not have a postal address!)

Important! Beach information is compiled from a variety of different sources and is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of compilation. However, information may be incorrectly supplied by our sources or go out of date after publication. BritishBeaches.uk makes no warranty as to the accuracy of any information on this page.

Stuff you might want for the beach!

(Or après-beach. Or pre-beach. Or, just because you might want stuff)

Visitor information for St. Andrews East Sands, Fife, Scotland. Weather, tides, visitor comments, beach facilities, photos, nearest postcode, beach information and nearby accommodation.

British Beaches is a Good Stuff website.

18.97.9.170 Thu, 17 Jul 2025 13:07:41 +0100