Barassie
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Flat, Shallow, Chop, Small waves, Medium waves
- Spot Type
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Range
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Barassie is a long, wide sandy beach by Troon Harbour that’s widely used for wind sports, with clean water and no notable shore break. Conditions are often described as flat to small wave/chop depending on tide and wind, and the large rigging space makes it straightforward to get started. For kitesurfing, the beach is particularly beginner-friendly because of the shallow, flat water over a significant distance—then it can build into a choppier experience as the tide rises. Winds are described as Atlantic-driven and commonly SW to W/NW in the broader pattern; rider guidance also emphasizes that Barassie works well when the wind has a touch of north (N component). Spring and autumn months are repeatedly highlighted as the best window. Wingfoiling and windsurfing are also supported by the beach-access profile and the way depth changes with tide: mid to high tide offers more consistent depth for foiling and for practicing transitions on windsurf boards. Surfing is not the primary focus, and when waves do show up they are described as small and messy in onshore winds. Safety considerations are important: sandbanks can be an issue at low spring tides, and there can be hazards near the southern end (including rocks/groynes). The tidal range can catch unwary riders, and summer periods may include designated swimming areas where kiting restrictions apply. Cold water is typical throughout the year, so full wetsuit coverage is generally required.
- Long, wide sandy shoreline with beginner-appropriate shallow water.
- Strong kitesurfing reputation and widely used across tide conditions.
- Parking and facilities nearby with easy year-round beach access.
- Best wind months highlighted from spring through autumn.
- Long, wide sandy beach with clean water and extensive shallow areas for setup and progression.
- Very strong reputation for kitesurfing; versatile across tide (flat water to chop/small waves).
- Easy access with parking near Royal Troon Golf Club and a range of nearby amenities.
- Works with a variety of wind directions when winds include a northerly component; SW is commonly cited as the best direction.
- Cold water year-round (full steamer/drysuit layering typically required).
- Large tidal range: at very low tide the walk to the water can be long and shallow conditions can persist.
- Safety watch-outs around sandbanks at low spring tides and hazards near the southern end.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SW, W, NW, N
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Frontal/Atlantic-driven winds, commonly described with SW or W/NW components.
- Reliability
- High during autumn and spring months due to frequent North Atlantic low-pressure systems.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- March, April, May, September, October, November
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Shallow, Chop, Small waves, Medium waves
- Beach
- Sand — Mostly flat sandy beach.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Small-wave to medium-wave conditions can occur; can become choppy at higher tide.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Flat to light chop; can build to chop/small waves as conditions and tide change.
- Launch
- Big — Wide grassy area fringing the beach suitable for rigging; large sandy beach area also described for setup (especially at low to mid tide).
Through the year
Can be busy with kitesurfers on windy weekends; beach is popular with walkers year-round.
Winter months (December to February) see the most frequent storms and rainfall.
By sport
What to expect for each.
One of the most popular kitesurfing spots in Scotland with flat, shallow water that suits beginners at low tide and can build chop/small waves at higher tide. Works with winds that include a northerly component, and SW is commonly cited as the best direction.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Suitable for freeride and wave styles; also described as good for slalom with shallow flat water at low tide for practicing transitions.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–7 m²
Very popular for wingfoiling due to easy beach access and reliable side-onshore winds, with sufficient depth at mid to high tide.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- Sufficient depth is available at mid to high tide; at very low tide, the water remains shallow for a long distance.
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Not a primary surfing destination; small, messy wind-swell waves can occur during strong onshore winds.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, NW
- Swell Height
- 0.5–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Onshore winds create the waves but also make them messy.
- Bigger Swell
- Becomes very choppy and disorganized with large swells.
- Wave Quality
- Poor
- Wave Power
- Soft
- Wave Shape
- Mushy
- Peel Speed
- Slow
- Ride Length
- Short
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Barassie in the full forecast view.
Barassie wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 7–34 ktsGusts 61 kts
- Direction
- SW221°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2534 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–3.2 m4s period
- Temperature
- 7–15 °C
Over the next 7 days, Barassie is forecast for daytime winds of 7–34 kts, peaking around 34 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 61 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.3–3.2 m with a period of about 4s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- sandbanks_at_low_tide
- Rocks near the south end of the beach
- Railway line located behind the dunes
- Large tidal range can catch out the unwary
- Occasional patches of rocks and groynes near the southern end of the beach
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Spot-level notes indicate no rescue presence at the beach.
- Emergency Info
- In an emergency, contact the Coastguard on 999 or 112. Nearest major hospital: University Hospital Ayr.
Rules of the spot
Maintain distance from other beach users and stay clear of the groynes. Avoid kiting in the designated swimming areas during summer peak times. Watch for sandbanks at low spring tides.
- Avoid kiting in the designated swimming areas during summer peak times.
- Two spots there: South Beach for SW direction and Barassie for anything with a touch of N.
- Good shallow waters ideal for beginners.
- Safe enclosed area, but watch for sandbanks at low spring tides.
- The spot works best around mid-tide for a balance of flat water and depth.
- At very low tide, the walk to the water can be quite long.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Troon, South Ayrshire
- Nearest Town
- Troon
- Nearest Airport
- Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK)
- Parking
- Parking available at various spots along the road alongside the beach, specifically near Royal Troon Golf Club first tee; large public car park on North Shore Road is also described.
- Access
- Follow signs for Prestwick Airport down M77/A77 and take the Troon turn off before the airport. If you pass the end of the runway then you've missed the turn off. Car park is beside the 1st tee of Royal Troon Golf Club.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous guesthouses and hotels are available in Troon.
- Food & Drink
- Supermarket and good choice of restaurants in the area; several cafes and restaurants are located within walking distance in Troon town center.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available on-site or nearby; also described as available via local schools.
- Gear Storage
- Dedicated public gear storage is limited; some local schools/clubs may provide storage for members or students.
- Gear Repair
- Basic sail and kite repairs can be handled by local schools; major repairs may require travel to specialist workshops.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Troon is known for long sandy beaches, world-class golf, and harbor/seaside views across the Firth of Clyde to the Isle of Arran.
World-famous links golf course that frequently hosts the Open Championship.
14th-century hilltop royal castle with views over the Ayrshire countryside.
Ferry route from nearby Ardrossan for trips to the Isle of Arran (hiking and cycling).
Highly acclaimed seafood and fish & chip shop located at Troon Harbour.
Popular woodland walk for families with hidden fairy houses and carvings.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Barassie?
The best overall months at Barassie are March, April, May, September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Barassie?
Barassie works with S, SW, W, NW, N winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Barassie?
Recommended equipment sizes at Barassie: Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5–7 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Barassie suitable for?
Barassie suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner · Windsurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Beginner · Surfing: Beginner.