Crossapoll Bay (Argyll and Bute)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Crossapoll Bay on Coll is a quite exposed beach break that delivers consistent surf and can work at any time of the year. The best window for surf conditions is reported in winter, with February specifically highlighted, when southwest swell pairs well with offshore north winds for cleaner, more usable wave sets. The beach is a vast sandy landing zone with a shore break described as moderate. The bottom is sandy, and the bay setup gives a lot of space for entry and exit; however, conditions can still turn serious—strong rip currents are reported, particularly as swell size increases. At the far ends of the bay there are also rocky outcrops to watch for when choosing your approach and line. Water temperatures are cold year-round (around the 7–12°C range across the year in the month-by-month reports). For most riders, a winter cold-water setup is emphasized, with hood, gloves, and boots recommended for winter conditions. Crowds are described as low-profile and generally uncrowded, even when surf is present. Because the location is remote and lifeguards are not present, practical safety planning is important—arrange communication, check access/ferry timing ahead of time, and be prepared to manage without on-beach rescue support.
- Best surf conditions reported for southwest swell with north offshore winds
- Consistent, exposed beach break that can run year-round
- Low crowds even when waves are up
- Cold water and remote access make prep essential
- Quite exposed beach break with consistent surf
- Best conditions reported when a southwest swell meets offshore north winds
- Generally very low crowds, even when waves are present
- Large sandy bay with ample launch/landing space
- Very remote location (self-sufficiency required)
- Cold water year-round
- Can generate rip currents, especially with larger swell
- Can become heavy/close-out prone when swell gets bigger
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SSE, E, NNE
- Offshore directions
- N
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Primarily driven by Atlantic depressions (frontal winds).
- Reliability
- High
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Reported as moderate gustiness.
- Best Months
- February
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Surf is commonly medium-sized; optimum working swell height is reported as 1.0–2.5 meters.
- Launch
- Big — A very wide and long sandy beach providing ample room for launching and landing.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Launch access is described as easy due to the large sandy beach area.
Through the year
Low year-round; uncrowded even in peak swell months.
Late Autumn and Winter (October to March) see frequent Atlantic storms and high rainfall.
By sport
What to expect for each.
The bay offers a large sandy area for kiting, though it is primarily described as a surfing spot. Generally works in most wind directions except direct offshore (unless specifically equipped/experienced).
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Possible when the swell is small or near the edges of the bay; breaking waves can make it challenging for beginners.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly is reported.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters beyond the break
- Wing Sizes
- 4–5 m²
A quite exposed, consistent beach break that can work at any time of the year. Southwest swell is the main driver, and conditions are best in winter (especially February).
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SW, W
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Works across all tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open exposure; offshore options depend on wind direction.
- Wind Effect
- Best with north offshore winds; east and south-east winds can provide cleaner offshore conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become messy and prone to heavy close-outs when swell exceeds 3 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Reported as average overall wave quality.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Works with consistent Atlantic swell; wave power described as moderate.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling beach-break peaks.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling beach-break style with punchy peaks.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Medium ride lengths; often shorter/punchier lines rather than long-running sets.
- Ride Length Details
- Waves tend to be shorter and punchy, with beach-break peaks rather than long-running lines.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Crossapoll Bay (Argyll and Bute) in the full forecast view.
Crossapoll Bay (Argyll and Bute) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 10–47 ktsGusts 69 kts
- Direction
- SW218°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2547 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.4–6.0 m9s period
- Temperature
- 10–14 °C
Over the next 7 days, Crossapoll Bay (Argyll and Bute) is forecast for daytime winds of 10–47 kts, peaking around 47 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 69 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 1.4–6.0 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
- remote location
- rocks at bay ends
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated on-beach rescue; safety is managed by HM Coastguard.
- Emergency Info
- Call 999 for Coastguard. Nearest A&E is reported in Oban; a local surgery in Arinagour is available for minor issues.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No localism reported.
Rules of the spot
No specific local regulations reported; follow general water safety and surf etiquette.
- The beach is very remote—arrange a means of communication and tell someone your plans.
- Check ferry schedules as access to the island is limited.
- Winter surfing requires high-quality cold-water gear.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Oban
- Nearest Town
- Arinagour
- Nearest Airport
- Coll Airport (COL)
- Parking
- Limited informal parking is available near the road leading to the dunes.
- Public Transport
- Accessible via the CalMac ferry from Oban; on-island transport is limited to walking, cycling, or infrequent local taxis.
- Access
- Accessible via ferry from Oban to the Isle of Coll, then a drive or cycle to the southwest coast; a short walk through the dunes is required to reach the sand.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Guesthouses, B&Bs, and a hotel are available in Arinagour; some camping is permitted on the island.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurants and a grocery store are in Arinagour, about 5-6 miles away.
- Equipment Rental:
- No equipment rental available on the beach; visitors must bring their own gear.
- Gear Storage
- None reported.
- Gear Repair
- No professional gear repair services reported.
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 Crossapoll Bay (Argyll and Bute)?
The best overall months at Crossapoll Bay (Argyll and Bute) are February.
Which wind directions work at Crossapoll Bay (Argyll and Bute)?
Crossapoll Bay (Argyll and Bute) works with SSE, E, NNE winds. Offshore directions are N.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Crossapoll Bay (Argyll and Bute)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Crossapoll Bay (Argyll and Bute): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–30 kts.
What skill level is Crossapoll Bay (Argyll and Bute) suitable for?
Crossapoll Bay (Argyll and Bute) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.