Overview

Big Sands is a beautiful sandy beach near Gairloch on the northwest coast of the Highlands. Facing northwest towards the Minch, the beach receives Atlantic winds filtered by the Hebrides. Spectacular setting with views of the offshore islands. Crystal-clear water and golden sand.

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Spot forecast for Big Sands

Sunrise 08:09 · Sunset 18:06

Open-Meteo

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Swell and waves

Swell and tides over 8 days. Premium members see the swell and tides over 8 days. Without a subscription: 5 days.

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Wave height: < 0.5 m 0.5–1 m 1–2 m 2–3 m ≥ 3 m

Swell data by Open-Meteo Marine

Tides

Heights above lowest astronomical tide, in the spot's local time. Computed 2.8 km from the spot.

Tuesday 20 October High tide 03:06 · 3.5 m Low tide 09:49 · 2.5 m High tide 15:32 · 3.8 m Low tide 22:37 · 2.1 m
Wednesday 21 October High tide 04:20 · 3.7 m Low tide 10:48 · 2.2 m High tide 16:34 · 4 m Low tide 23:18 · 1.8 m
Thursday 22 October High tide 05:15 · 3.9 m Low tide 11:28 · 1.9 m High tide 17:22 · 4.3 m Low tide 23:52 · 1.4 m
Friday 23 October High tide 05:56 · 4.2 m Low tide 12:02 · 1.6 m High tide 18:00 · 4.6 m
Saturday 24 October Low tide 00:23 · 1.1 m High tide 06:31 · 4.5 m Low tide 12:36 · 1.3 m High tide 18:35 · 4.8 m

Big Sands: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

352h

in July · 28.5 rideable days

The season runs from April to August, peaking in July: 26 rideable days a month and 352 hours of usable wind, at 15 °C. The low point is February, at 15 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 45%13-20 knots · 42%21-30 knots · 12%31+ knots · 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 45% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 6 °C. The wettest month is December, with 197 mm.

Monthly averages: Big Sands

Monthly averages — Big Sands — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	19.0	142 h	6 °C	123 mm
February	15.0	131 h	7 °C	114 mm
March	18.5	182 h	10 °C	91 mm
April	22.0	202 h	12 °C	78 mm
May	28.0	258 h	15 °C	62 mm
June	27.0	420 h	14 °C	111 mm
July	28.5	352 h	17 °C	85 mm
August	24.0	286 h	16 °C	94 mm
September	19.0	203 h	15 °C	89 mm
October	18.5	160 h	12 °C	151 mm
November	17.5	126 h	9 °C	167 mm
December	15.5	109 h	8 °C	197 mm

Photo gallery of Big Sands

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Technical details of Big Sands spot

The spot works with winds from N, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW.

Depending on conditions: NNE, SSW.

RideableDepending on conditions Not rideable

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Required level: Intermediate

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Ogimet - Aultbea (United Kingdom)16.4 kmsource ogimet

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Nearby spots

All spots: Scotland

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Big Sands kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot