Cliad Bay (Coll)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Cliad Bay (Isle of Coll) is a remote, exposed sandy beach break on the Atlantic, known for clean sessions and consistently pick-upable swell. The spot is generally described as workable at any time of year, with strongest surfing odds tied to the northwest swell direction. Water clarity is reported as high/crystal-clear, and the beach is described as large with ample space for launching and spreading out. Conditions can be cold year-round, with winter water temperatures around 7–9°C and late-summer temperatures around the mid-teens, so a full cold-water kit is expected. Wind and swell exposure can create hazards: provider notes highlight rip currents during larger Atlantic swell, and submerged rocks near headlands are possible. Due to the bay’s isolation and limited rescue coverage, the safest approach is to operate within your limits, stay aware of changing conditions, and ensure someone on shore knows your plan (and ride/operate with a partner). For wind-dependent sports, the bay is described as extremely exposed with strong Atlantic winds, with the most reliable period in autumn and winter. Wind is characterized as frontal, with moderate gustiness; however, facilities and rescue support are limited, so advanced self-sufficiency is emphasized for kitesurfing, windsurfing, and wingfoiling.
- Exposed, consistent Atlantic beach break
- Crystal-clear water / excellent clarity
- Rarely crowded due to remoteness
- Strong North Atlantic winds in autumn and winter
- Exposed but consistent Atlantic beach-break surfing; can work at any time of year.
- Crystal-clear water / excellent clarity reported.
- Rarely crowded due to remoteness; good for solitude.
- Wind and swell conditions support advanced wind sports when self-sufficient.
- Remote and exposed location with limited/no dedicated rescue on-site—plan for self-sufficiency.
- Cold-water conditions year-round.
- Surf can become heavy and close out during very large winter swells.
- Rip currents possible during larger Atlantic swells.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SW, W, NW
- Offshore directions
- SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW, N, NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE
- Wind Range
- 15–35 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Open North Atlantic exposure; wind described as frontal in provider data.
- Reliability
- High during autumn and winter months (per provider data).
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Gusts described as moderate.
- Best Months
- October, November, December, January, February, March
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Medium wave size reported.
- Launch
- Big — Wide sandy beach with ample space for equipment.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launch difficulty reported as moderate.
Through the year
Rarely crowded at any time of year due to the remote island location.
Winter months often bring frequent Atlantic depressions with rain and high winds.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Remote and exposed location suited to wave riding and freeriding in strong Atlantic winds; best for experienced kiters due to lack of facilities/rescue.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Challenging wave sailing in exposed conditions on the northwest coast; remote nature requires self-sufficiency.
- Sail Sizes
- 4–5.5 m²
Possible in the bay, though Atlantic swell and potential heavy breaking can make launching difficult.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil friendly reported as yes.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 3–5 m²
Exposed beach break that can pick up Atlantic swell; cleanest with light offshore SE winds. Can become heavy and close out during very large winter swells.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NW, W
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Works across all tides per provider data; mid-tide noted for better ride length.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed coastline.
- Wind Effect
- Cleanest with light offshore Southeast winds; becomes messy with strong West or Northwest winds.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become heavy and close out during very large winter swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality described as good; consistency emphasized in provider/ground-truth summaries.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power reported.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling wave shape described.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling waves with a medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Ride length described as medium with decent across-the-sand riding, especially around mid-tide.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Waves typically offer a decent ride length across the sandy bottom, particularly on a mid-tide.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Cliad Bay (Coll) in the full forecast view.
Cliad Bay (Coll) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 9–44 ktsGusts 67 kts
- Direction
- SW216°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2544 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.1–4.7 m9s period
- Temperature
- 9–14 °C
Over the next 7 days, Cliad Bay (Coll) is forecast for daytime winds of 9–44 kts, peaking around 44 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 67 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 1.1–4.7 m with a period of about 9s. 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
- Rip currents
- Cold water
- Submerged rocks near headlands
- Extreme remoteness
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated on-site rescue service; Coastguard assistance via 999/112.
- Emergency Info
- In an emergency, call 999 or 112 for Coastguard/ambulance assistance. Nearest local medical facility: Isle of Coll Surgery (Arinagour); nearest major hospital: Lorn and Islands Hospital (Oban).
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No localism details provided.
Rules of the spot
General water-safety practices are essential due to isolation and limited rescue support.
- Ensure someone on land knows your plan as mobile signal can be unreliable.
- Always ride with a partner due to the isolation of the bay.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Oban
- Nearest Town
- Arinagour
- Nearest Airport
- Coll Airport (COL)
- Parking
- Limited informal parking available near the end of the access track.
- Public Transport
- Public transport on the island is extremely limited; visitors typically arrive via CalMac ferry from Oban and require a bicycle or car to reach the bays.
- Access
- Accessible via a track from the main island road, followed by a short walk to the beach. Limited informal parking near the end of the access track.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Guesthouses and self-catering cottages are available in and around Arinagour.
- Food & Drink
- Local cafes and a hotel pub are located in Arinagour, approximately a 15-minute drive away.
- Equipment Rental:
- No on-site rental facilities; visitors must bring all their own gear.
- Gear Storage
- None available.
- Gear Repair
- None available.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Cliad Bay (Coll)?
The best overall months at Cliad Bay (Coll) are October, November, December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Cliad Bay (Coll)?
Cliad Bay (Coll) works with S, SW, W, NW winds. Offshore directions are SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW, N, NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Cliad Bay (Coll)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Cliad Bay (Coll): Kitesurfing: 7–10 m² · Windsurfing: 4–5.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 3–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–35 kts.
What skill level is Cliad Bay (Coll) suitable for?
Cliad Bay (Coll) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.