St-Andrews has 3 main beaches, West Sands, Castle Sands and East Sands. being very flat these beaches are subject to very big changes in surface wether it is high or low tide (up to 300yards for the west sands) sometimes they are pratically non existant and sometimes there is enough space to build a full scale 18 hole golf course on it (with space to spare).

West sand is the longest of the the three with approximately 1.5 miles, it is a very nice beach to go for a walk, at the end of it there is very often people playing with kites, kitsurfing, kiteboarding and kitebuggying are of the most popular activities. People also come to play some beach rugby/football.

Castle sand is the smallest with only about 200yards wide, it is just below the castle. The 1st of may this is the location of the famous May Dip where hundreds of students go for a dip in the north sea. Here the water is quite a bit warmer than on the other beaches (expecially when it is sunny).

East sands is a beach that is quite popular for a little walk especially with children because it is so close to town.