Chanonry Point Reviews Summary

Dolphin Spotting

Pros:

• "An excellent spot for dolphin-spotting."
• "We got to chanonry point for around 10:30am and the dolphin's were already there feeding."
• "Really impressed. Lots of people waiting patiently for the dolphins to arrive and they didn't disappoint."
• "A stunning dolphin spotting location 🐬 We were treated to around 20 dolphins circulating the beach and it was the most magnificent sight."
• "Great views with chance of Dolphins if you get the right time to visit and have a few hours to wait."
• "Managed to see lots of dolphins coming really close to the shore to feed. One even jumping out of the water."
• "The dolphins were so close to the shore it was quite unbelievable."

Cons:

• "Nice enough for a walk around the point, we didn't see any bottlenose dolphins!"
• "Just a 3 today because of the no show of the dolphins."
• "We didn't see any dolphins and there are no loos here.but it was gloriously sunny with a very pleasant walk from fortrose."
• "Came here to try and spot the dolphins, the first 2 trips we left having not seen any."
• "Didn't see any dolphins the day that we were there but it seems it is quite common and that they come close to the shore."
• "One of the top spots for dolphin spotting 1hr after low tide. Unfortunately we weren't lucky enough to spot any this time."
• "Nothing much to see when we went, just a few birds but no dolphins."

Parking and Accessibility

Pros:

• "There is a carpark available, which is £1 per hour."
• "Great clean beach, perfect place to spot dolphins, car park has been improved."
• "We got there and easily found a parking space, although carpark is maybe for 20-30 cars max."
• "Parking is on the spot. So no long walks. Accessible for wheel chairs and baby prams."
• "Paid parking available at the Chanonry Point with a good number of spaces available."
• "There is a car park near the lighthouse, it can cope with up to about 30 cars and at least 2 disabled slots."
• "Car park is free after 5pm."

Cons:

• "They don't allow motor homes to even drive up the road to drop people off. There are also no public toilets at the point."
• "Then when you get to the end the car park is rather small and you often have to wait for someone to leave to get parked."
• "We were here in September and I can say that the people talking about bad parking and congestion during peak times are probably spot on."
• "Only downside is no toilet, I believe that if you have to park there should be facilities provided."
• "Not the best for parking especially when busy which is pretty much all of the time."
• "The car park is nuts, they really need to ban motor homes that take up multiple spaces."
• "Car parking difficult as the car park isn't big enough for the volume of cars/people that want to be there."

Facilities and Amenities

Pros:

• "There is an ice cream truck at times. I think its called Rizzas ice cream."
• "There are picnic benches and bins, but no toilet facilities that we could find."
• "There are benches so you can sit and watch the sea while watching the dolphins."
• "Plenty of parking and if cold, you can park facing the waters to dolphin spot."
• "There's a small pay and display car park beside the lighthouse and a few benches and tables if you are in for the long haul."
• "There is fairly ample parking but at peak times and when there are loads of motor homes there it can be difficult to park."
• "Lovely spot.. picnic tables & get choice of stone beach to right of car park and sand to left."

Cons:

• "Only down side was no toilet facilities so we had to leave the area to look for toilets."
• "Note there are no toilets at Chanonry Point."
• "No toilets! Go in the town before driving down."
• "There are no public toilets on the point but there are some in Fortrose."
• "There's no toilet facilities, despite having to pay for parking."
• "No toilets or food available. It was quite breezy when we were there, so take a warm jacket (and maybe a hat too)."
• "No toilets or cafe ..just giving heads up before you get there."

Scenery and Environment

Pros:

• "Lovely long sand beach one side and pebbles the other side."
• "The peace and tranquility. The views and scenery."
• "All that said it is a wonderful setting with stunning views across the Money Firth to Fort George."
• "Great place to walk, wander, picnic, dolphin watch or just skim stones on the beach."
• "Absolutely love visiting Chanonry Point. Beautiful beach and the view from the beach is just stunning."
• "A beautiful and clean beach to explore, wild winds, wide views and loads of wild life - no Dolphins in the winter months due to lack of food."
• "Spectacular views of the surrounding area and so peaceful."

Cons:

• "Slightly worrying with flying golf balls as walk beside golf course."
• "too bad the lighthouse itself is not accessible and its a nervous drive up through the middle of the golf course with a warning that golf balls might be flying around!"
• "Watch out for the flying golf balls on the single track road up to Chanonry Point."
• "May be beautiful but not managed and in the summer months the single track road becomes gridlocked."
• "Weather can change very quickly so layers and rucksacks are the way ahead."
• "Came here when it was a bit overcast, hard to see far out."
• "Bit of a pain getting to the point from Fortrose as it passes through a gold course on a single track road with passing places."