Feall Bay (Argyll and Bute)

Longboard, Shortboard
Best for
Beginner to Intermediate
Skill Level
Chop, Small waves
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

Feall Bay is a remote, exposed sandy beach break on the island of Coll in the Inner Hebrides. It has a reputation for reliability across the year, with the strongest overall highlight in October, even though October conditions are often more windy than clean. For wind, south and south-easterly winds are the key: spot-level data points to south as the best wind direction, and a clean offshore tendency is reported under South/Southeast winds. In contrast, certain other wind directions can make conditions messy/onshore, so plan around both swell and wind alignment. Surf-wise, the bay is very exposed to Atlantic energy, catching almost any Atlantic swell. Sources disagree somewhat on typical quality and power: one indicates poor wave quality with soft power, while another describes average quality with moderate power and peeling waves. Either way, conditions are typically best when the swell approach and the wind direction combine to keep the faces usable. Safety is a major consideration. The spot has no lifeguards and is isolated, with hazards at both edges of the bay (rocks at the headlands) and a strong rip-current risk—especially when swell is larger. With limited rescue availability on-island and potentially long emergency response times, it’s strongly recommended not to surf alone, to stay away from the rock edges, and to come fully self-sufficient since there are no beach facilities.

  • Exposed beach break with a notable best window in October
  • South to South-East winds favor cleaner offshore conditions
  • Wide sandy beach for setup; isolated with limited parking and long walks from the road
  • Strong rip-current and headland rock hazards; no lifeguards
Great for
Surfing longboardSurfing shortboardBeginnersAdvanced riders
What's great
  • Exposed, Atlantic-facing beach break that can work year-round with a notable best month in October.
  • Rarely crowded, often quiet even in peak periods.
  • Cold, clear water and a wide sandy launch area provide a straightforward setup once on the beach.
Heads up
  • Remote and isolated beach with no on-site rescue/lifeguards—safety planning is essential.
  • Rips can be strong, especially with larger swell; keep clear of headland rocks/edges.
  • October can be frequently blown out (low clean percentage), so expect variability.
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
S, SSE
Offshore directions
S
Wind Type
Frontal — Fronts driven by Atlantic systems; spot-level sources specifically label it frontal.
Reliability
medium
Gust Factor
Moderate gusts — Moderate gustiness reported.
Best Months
October
Shadow Zones
Hills behind the beach can create turbulence if wind is directly offshore.

Water & beach

Water Type
Chop, Small waves
Beach
Sand — Sand beach reported.
Beach Size
Big
Waves
Medium — Gemini describes medium wave size; another source notes waves are often small (Monthly Small Pct: 90).
Chop Level
Heavy chop — Wind-driven chop reported; spot-level water type is chop.
Launch
Big — Wide sandy beach with ample space to set up equipment or launch.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
7–16 °C
Water Temperature
4–18 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Oct–Apr: 5/4mm + Boots, Gloves, HoodMay–Sep: 4/3mm + Boots, Gloves
Crowds by Season

Rarely crowded year-round.

Storm/Rain Season

Winter months frequently affected by strong Atlantic storms.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

An exposed beach break that can work across the year, with consistent Atlantic swell windows—especially when swell and wind line up. Conditions are typically best with north/West-facing swell and south/east winds that turn offshore and keep the face more groomed.

Beach break
Wave Direction
Both
Optimal Swell
N
Swell Height
1–2.5 m
Optimal Tide
All tides — All-tides window reported.
Shelter
Exposed — Very exposed to Atlantic swell and wind; semi-sheltered noted by spot-level sources.
Wind Effect
South or Southeast winds provide cleaner offshore conditions; West and Northwest winds are directly onshore and messy.
Bigger Swell
Can handle decent size, but may begin to close out on very large winter swells.
Wave Quality
Poor — Wave quality reported as poor (spot-level) while Gemini rates it average; overall expect variability.
Wave Power
Soft — Spot-level source describes wave power as soft; Gemini also indicates moderate power.
Wave Shape
Mixed — Mixed from spot-level; Gemini describes peeling shape.
Peel Speed
Medium — Peeling conditions reported.
Ride Length
Medium — Ride length described as medium overall; multiple peaks can give short to medium rides depending on sandbar configuration.
Ride Length Details
Multiple peaks across the bay can produce short to medium rides depending on sandbar configuration.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Feall Bay (Argyll and Bute) in the full forecast view.

Feall Bay (Argyll and Bute) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
10–46 ktsGusts 67 kts
Direction
SW217°
Strongest day
Sun, Oct 2546 kts
Windy days
7/712 kts or more
Waves
1.4–6.0 m9s period
Temperature
10–14 °C

Over the next 7 days, Feall Bay (Argyll and Bute) is forecast for daytime winds of 10–46 kts, peaking around 46 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 67 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.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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

  • Strong rip currents
  • Submerged rocks at the northern and southern headlands
  • Remote, isolated location
  • Rips can be particularly strong on larger/over-head swell
Ability Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
WetsuitBootsGlovesHood

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
None — No lifeguards reported.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — No spot-level dedicated rescue reported; regional context indicates limited rescue availability and no on-beach rescue/lifeguards.
Emergency Info
No dedicated on-beach rescue/lifeguards; emergency response may be slow due to the island location. Emergency number: 999. Nearest A&E is in Oban; minor issues can be handled locally in Arinagour.
Localism / Vibe
None — No specific localism concerns reported.

Rules of the spot

Do not surf alone at this remote, isolated beach. Stay well clear of rocks and headland edges where rips can be strong, especially when swell is overhead height.

Local Tips
  • Bring everything you need before leaving the road/car (the beach is a long walk across dunes and grazing land).
  • Because the spot is remote, do not surf alone.
  • Watch for rocks at both edges of the bay and keep your line away from headlands.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Oban
Nearest Town
Arinagour
Parking
Limited parking near the RSPB reserve entrance or at the end of the public road near Crossapol.
Public Transport
Accessible via the CalMac ferry from Oban; on-island transport is limited to walking, cycling, or infrequent local taxis.
Access
Accessible via the island of Coll in the Inner Hebrides; requires ferry access from Oban. From the road/parking area it’s a 15 to 20 minute walk across dunes and grazing land.
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
English
Amenities

What's on the beach

Accommodation
Near — Guesthouses, self-catering cottages, and a hotel are available in Arinagour and around the island.
Food & Drink
No facilities at the beach; food and drink available in Arinagour.
Equipment Rental:
No rental shops on the island; visitors must bring all their own equipment.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Feall Bay (Argyll and Bute)?

The best overall months at Feall Bay (Argyll and Bute) are October, November, December. The best wind months are October.

Which wind directions work at Feall Bay (Argyll and Bute)?

Feall Bay (Argyll and Bute) works with S, SSE winds. Offshore directions are S.

What skill level is Feall Bay (Argyll and Bute) suitable for?

Feall Bay (Argyll and Bute) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.