Smoo Cave
Durness, United Kingdom
A huge sea cave with a waterfall inside, on the North Coast 500.
Smoo Cave is a large sea cave about 2 km east of Durness on Scotland’s north coast. Its entrance lies at the end of the Geodha Smoo, a tidal gorge around 600 m long. The entrance is regarded as the largest sea cave entrance in Britain; the entrance chamber is about 40 m wide and 15 m high. The whole cave is 83 m long up to the terminal sump.
Inside, a waterfall about 20 m high drops into the cave. The cave formed in Early Ordovician dolomites of the Durness Group. Excavations in 1995 found Neolithic, Norse and Iron Age artefacts, most of them Norse or medieval; radiocarbon dates point to use between the 8th and 11th centuries. The cave complex is protected as a scheduled monument.
Practical notes: there is a car park, toilets, stairs and walkways. In summer, boat tours take visitors to the inner chamber (check availability in advance).
- Nearest town
- Durness, United Kingdom
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 58.5634, -4.7208
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually May–September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- United Kingdom: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Drive on the left. Some bridges and tunnels charge tolls.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Sango SandsCampsite1 km from Smoo CaveTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Balnakeil Motorhome StopoverMotorhome stopover3 km from Smoo CaveMotorhomes
- Choraidh CroftMotorhome stopover8 km from Smoo CaveMotorhomesElectricity
- Bayview campsiteCampsite17 km from Smoo CaveTentsCaravansShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Kyle of Tongue Hostel & Holiday ParkCampsite19 km from Smoo CaveTentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Old docksCampsite23 km from Smoo CaveCaravans
All campsites in United Kingdom · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Smoo Cave?
Smoo Cave is in Durness, United Kingdom, at GPS 58.5634, -4.7208. It is about 20 km from Tongue.
Can you camp near Smoo Cave?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Sango Sands, about 1 km away; within 25 km there are 6 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Smoo Cave?
Smoo Cave is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: The North Coast 500 from Inverness.
What is there to see near Smoo Cave?
Places worth a stop nearby: Corrieshalloch Gorge (92 km), Skara Brae (96 km), Duncansby Stacks (98 km) and Ring of Brodgar (99 km).
When is the best time to visit Smoo Cave?
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually May–September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)