Castle Sands tidal pool

What you'll find

Steps drop from the path beside the castle onto a short stretch of sand broken up by dark, jagged rock ledges. Built into the rocks is a stone-walled bathing pool that holds seawater when the tide goes out. It is shallow enough to stand up in right across to the far wall, which makes it a gentler introduction to sea swimming than the open beaches either side of town.

When to go

Time your visit around low tide, when the pool is exposed and the rock pools around it are at their best for poking about. Swimmer guides warn of hazards at the far end of the pool as the tide rises, so it is wise to get out before the water comes back over the wall. University students keep up a tradition of swimming here at sunrise on May Day, so expect company early on 1 May. The water is cold all year and cold-water shock is a real risk; ease in and keep swims short.

Make a morning of it

The castle's walls rise straight above the beach, so pairing a swim with a visit to the ruins is easy. The cathedral and St Rule's Tower are a few minutes' walk east along the Scores, and you can warm up with a hot drink in one of the cafés on North Street afterwards. There are no changing rooms or toilets on the beach itself.

Highlights

• Walled seawater pool below the ruins of St Andrews Castle
• Shallow enough to stand all the way across
• Rock pools exposed at low tide
• Traditional May Day sunrise swim spot for students

Good to know

• Reached by steps from beside the castle; not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
• No lifeguards, toilets or changing facilities on the beach.
• Check tide times before you go; the pool is best visited around low water.
• The sea here is cold year-round, so limit time in the water.

Frequently asked questions