The Secret's Out

Sailing in North Ayrshire

Sailing facilities in North Ayrshire are superb, with several first class marinas and plenty of sheltered anchorages. The host of coastal resort towns offer an excellent choice in food and drink for parched and famished sailors, with top quality restaurants, bistros and the very best fish and chips around!

There's a huge range of visitor attractions too, reflecting everything from the area's maritime and Viking heritage, to distilleries, castles and country parks.

Discovering North Ayrshire

If you have a passion for cruising, a competitive edge for racing, or simply like to potter about onboard, you'll find North Ayrshire on the Clyde Estuary is simply unrivalled as a quality sailing destination. Sailors from across the UK, western Europe and even as far afield as America, return time and time again to skim through the vast sheltered waters, marvel at the stunning scenery and make use of the superb facilities found in and around North Ayrshire.

North Ayrshire has a spectacular coastline which stretches from Irvine to Largs, encompassing the delightful islands of Greater Cumbrae, Little Cumbrae and the Isle of Arran and offers a mix of opportunities for novice sailors and world-travelled yachtsman. The calm waters surrounding the Cumbraes provide the opportunity for the gentlest of trips, while more challenging routes are easily accessed too - try circling the Ailsa Craig for a sea and sail adventure which will leave you completely exhilarated. And if you want to cruise to more distant places, the North Ayrshire waters serve as a gateway to rest of Scotland, Ireland, England and Scandinavia.

Sailors' Secrets

North Ayrshire is a favourite with sailors from far and wide, each with their own reason for finding it so appealing. For some it's the breathtaking views towards Arran, Kintyre and the Kyles of Bute which make it an irresistible destination. For others there's no better way to pass a leisurely afternoon than exploring the North of Arran's hidden coves. And it's been said that the sunrise at Pladda is the most captivating dawn imaginable.

Sailing in and around North Ayrshire, you'll discover it's truly abundant in wildlife. As well as the more common species of seabirds and marine mammals such as dolphins, seals and porpoise, look out too for some rarer breeds, such as puffins and razorbills, basking sharks and minke whales. On land, try Arran for spotting Roe deer, red squirrels, majestic golden eagles and the rare bird of prey, the hen harrier.

So set sail this year in North Ayrshire and discover for yourself a quality sailing experience which is uncrowded, unequalled and unforgettable.