Carradale Bay
55°34.9'N 005°28.7'W · Campbeltown (Kintyre) (12nm)
3–7m
Depth
Good
Holding
80m
Alarm radius
Low
Crowd level
Carradale Bay sits on the east coast of the Kintyre peninsula, facing across the Kilbrannan Sound to the Island of Arran. In settled conditions it offers a pleasant overnight anchorage with reasonable facilities in Carradale village. The backdrop of Kintyre's green hills and the view across to Arran's dramatic mountains is one of the finest in the Firth of Clyde. A working fishing harbour with a small fleet of nephrops (scampi) trawlers adds to the atmosphere. The bay is best in northerlies and easterlies; SW swell can make it untenable. Carradale village has a hotel, pub and small shop.
Best Months
Anchor Zones
Carradale Bay — south of the harbour pier
Good3–7m · Alarm: 80m
Anchor in 3–6m (CD) in the bay south of Carradale harbour pier. Sand and mud bottom — reliable holding once anchor has set. Protected from the N and E by the Kintyre peninsula and local hills. Exposed to south through west — this is the direction of most Atlantic swell. The inner harbour (dry at LW) is for fishing vessels only. Tidal range approximately 2.5–3.0m springs on this coast.
Setting Your Anchor Alarm
80m radius for the open bay. The bay is exposed to south-westerly swell which is the predominant Atlantic direction — in any SW wind above F3, swell wraps into the bay and creates uncomfortable rolling. This anchorage is best used in settled easterly or northerly conditions, or as a lunch stop in passing. For overnight, Campbeltown Loch (12nm south) or Lochranza (Arran, 10nm east) offer much better protection.
Recommended radius: 80m
Hazards & Warnings
- !Exposed to SW swell — any southerly wind creates uncomfortable rolling; not suitable for overnight in SW conditions
- !Fish farm buoys to the north of the anchorage area — approach in daylight and consult current chart
- !Fishing vessel traffic — Carradale has an active fleet; keep clear of the harbour approaches
- !Tidal stream in Kilbrannan Sound reaches 2 knots at springs — note for passages across the sound
- !Rocky shoals off Carradale Point to the south — keep to the centre of the bay on entry
Skipper's Tips
- ✓Use Carradale primarily as a daytime stop or in easterly/northerly conditions — it is exposed to SW and not suitable for overnight in any southerly weather
- ✓The Kilbrannan Sound crossing to Arran is straightforward in reasonable weather — Lochranza (Arran) is 10nm and offers excellent shelter
- ✓Campbeltown Loch (12nm south around Davaar Island) is the best overnight anchorage in the area with full facilities at Campbeltown
- ✓Walking on the Kintyre peninsula from Carradale village offers outstanding coastal scenery — Paul McCartney's farm is nearby
Facilities
Anchoring Rules
- Permit:
- Not required
- Fee:
- Free
- Restrictions:
- Inner harbour is for fishing vessels only — do not enter. Keep clear of fish farm buoys marked on chart to the north. Respect the working fishing community.
Sleep Safely at Carradale Bay
Set your anchor alarm to 80m. UK tidal ranges mean your boat swings — Safe Anchor Alarm keeps watch through the night.
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