Croy Bay is a large sandy beach with a few reefs exposed at low tide. It is situated towards the South of the Firth-of-Clyde and is West facing. The beach has small cliffs behind and is overlooked by Culzean castle. Croy can produce reasonably powerful cross/cross onshore conditions but is predomintly fairly flat close in with rolling swell out at sea. The water quality is aways very good.
- Beach Faces:
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West.
- Best Wind Direction:
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South/South-west or North-west.
- Best Wind Direction For Waves:
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As above.
- Not Good:
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Anything with East in it.
- Tide:
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Mid to High tide is best for waves. At low tide there are a few reefs exposed that shelter the beach from waves.
- What’s On The Bottom:
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Sand at high tide, a few rocks and visible reefs at low tide.
- Any Hazards:
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Shallow reefs at mid tide, exposed reefs at low tide.
- Other Water Users:
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Very few. You are likely to be sailing on your own. The occasional mad swimmer in summer!
- Suitability / Levels:
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All levels. But better for blasters than wave sailors!
- Wipeout Factor:
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Fairly low but the wind can be quite on-shore at times with a bit of a shore break making launching tricky.
- Instruction:
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None.
- Kit Hire:
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None.
- Friendly Factor:
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You are likely to be the only person on the water in summer and in winter you will probably be the only person on the beach!
- No Wind Alternatives:
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You are likely to be the only person on the water in summer and in winter you will probably be the only person on the beach!
Facilities:
| Toilets |
Yes, in the car park and reasonable well kept. |
|---|---|
| Shower |
No. |
| Windsurfing Shop |
Nearest is ProAdventure in Dunoon orBoardwise in Glasgow (both at least 50 miles away). |
| Food |
Caravan park shop at the top of the access road (about 1/2 mile away). |
| Parking |
Plenty of free parking on a gravel and tarmac surface. |
| Pub |
None. |
- Accommodation:
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There are 2 caravan parks nearby. One is right on the beach and the other is about 1/2 mile up the access road. Both accept tourers. There is no other accomodation within about 5 miles. Try the nearby villages of Maidens and Turnberry. Visit Scotland is a good place to start for accomodation.
- Local Hotshots:
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Adrian Jones and his Dad!
- Local Knowledge / Secrets:
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The best conditions come when the wind has been westerly for a few days and then turns South / South-westerly. This gives good cross shore conditions with reasonably powerful waves. North-westerlies are also good with fairly big, steep rolling swells and a few steep ramps next to the beach.
- Extra:
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The volcanic plug of Ailsa Craig can be seen offshore where the granite come from to produce the best curling stones in the World.
- How To Get There:
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From the north, get to Ayr and follow the A719 to the Heads of Ayr. Stay on the road for approx 5 miles until you reach the ‘Electric Brae’ (an optical illusion that makes you think you are driving uphill when you are in fact going down!). The right turn to Croy Bay is approx 200 meters past the Electric Brae.
- Report By:
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Adrian Jones
