• Tresness, Sanday

Sanday

Full of sweeping, shallow bays and white sand beaches, Sanday is a peaceful island that’s perfect for experiencing the great outdoors.

About Sanday

The largest of Orkney’s north isles, Sanday is a place of contrasts. It has a land and seascape more akin to the Outer Hebrides, with beautiful beaches, sand dunes and machair, found at the fringes of some of most fertile farmland in the islands. Its low-lying landscape offers expansive vistas all around, and the light here is particularly dramatic throughout the year.

It’s a haven for wildlife, with birds, otters, seals, and orcas regularly spotted. But it’s also an island that has attracted attention over millennia, with hundreds of archaeological finds and important Viking sites discovered in the sandy soil.

There’s a vibrant community in Sanday, full of farmers and crafters, and a busy events calendar to enjoy. But perhaps here more than anywhere else in Orkney, the natural world takes centre stage, and what a show it puts on.

Best beaches in Sanday

Elsness & Quoyness Chambered Cairn walk

Sanday Big Cycle

Sanday Central Cycle

Useful information

  • Food & drink
  • Shopping
  • Fuel
  • Public toilets

Sanday has daily flight and ferry connections linking it with Kirkwall and neighbouring isles, Stronsay and Eday.

Getting to Sanday by sea

Orkney Ferries operates daily return sailings between Kirkwall and Sanday. Depending on the timetable, some of the sailings on either leg of the journey may call in past Eday or Stronsay.

Bicycles are accepted on Orkney Ferries. Book your ferry tickets online via the Orkney Ferries website and contact the ferry company directly for more information on all its services.

Getting to Sanday by air

Loganair offers flights to and from Sanday daily, with an on-demand stop-off on Sundays. Advance booking for all inter-isles flights in Orkney is essential, particularly during the summer months. You can view the timetable on the Loganair website. Contact the Loganair team at Kirkwall Airport for travel information and advice.

Getting around Sanday

Sanday is the largest of Orkney’s north isles, stretching around 16 miles from west to east. Bringing a car or bicycle is recommended to make the most out of your visit – walking isn’t really an option unless you’re planning to stay a considerable time.

The Sanday Bus is the local on-demand service, providing connections to or from the ferry terminal from anywhere on a public road in the island. Booking in advance is essential and seats can be reserved up to 6pm the day before you plan to travel. Phone or text 07513 084 777 (leave a voicemail if there’s no answer), or find the Sanday Bus on Facebook for more information.

The team at Ayre’s Rock Hostel & Campsite offers a taxi service that can pick you up and drop you off at points of interest, or even the local pubs and restaurants. Phone 01857 600 410 for more information or find them on Facebook.

Bicycles can be brought for free with Orkney Ferries, and Sanday’s roads are relatively quiet and in good condition. You can hire bikes, including e-bikes, from the Sanday Community Shop. Phone 01857 600 483, email sandaycommunityshop@gmail.com, or find the shop on Facebook to book in advance. Our Sanday walking and cycling routes are an excellent introduction to the island.

There are no car hire options in Sanday.

Guided tours

If you’d like a helping hand to see the island at its best, Sanday Experience Island Tours make use of the Sanday Bus on Wednesdays to take you on a sightseeing trip. The tour includes a light lunch at the Craft Hub and will drop you off at the ferry terminal for the boat home. Booking in advance is essential – phone or text 07513 084 777.

You can also take a tour with the Ayre’s Rock team which can be tailored to suit your interests, from beaches to archaeology. Phone 01857 600 410 for more information or find them on Facebook.

Given its name, much of the focus in Sanday is on its plethora of fabulous beaches.

Scrape the surface of this island though and you’ll find plenty of interesting sites and attractions that are well worth exploring.

Tresness & Cata Sand

Sanday Community Craft Hub

The Sanday Experience Island Tour

Our Sanday walking and cycling routes are an excellent introduction to the island and its fabulous beaches.

Elsness & Quoyness Chambered Cairn walk

Whitemill Circular Walk

Sanday Big Cycle

Sanday Central Cycle

Use the key below to explore Sanday with our interactive map.

Historical Sites
Quoyness Chambered Cairn
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Historical Sites, Museums
Sanday Heritage Centre
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Eating Out
59 Degrees North - Cafe & Pizzeria - Sanday
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Eating Out
Backaskaill Farmhouse
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Leisure Centres
Sanday Healthy Living Centre
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Shopping
Sanday Community Craft Hub
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Shopping
The Gallery in the Nortwa'
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Other Businesses
Heilsa Fjold Centre
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Other Businesses
Ruth D Brough - Orkney Inspired Fused Glass
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Other Businesses
Sanday Bus
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Other Businesses
Sanday Fused Glass Studio
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Other Businesses
Sanday Swimming Pool
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Beaches
Doun Helzie
Beaches
Lopness Bay
Beaches
Tresness
Beaches
Tresness & Cata Sand
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Play Areas
Sanday
Public toilets
Kettletoft Pier
Public toilets
Loth Pier

Find your perfect home from home in Sanday.