August 2006. Launch Reraig slipway OS: 33 GR: 812271 

A two day paddle from the road to Kyle of Lochalsh, through Kyle Rhea, to camp on the Sandaig Islands. 

We launched in a still Loch Alsh just after the S stream started and crossed quickly to the channel entrance.  Our speed through the Kyle was about 12km per hour without paddling hard.  Serious overfalls created by the SW wind against the S stream, about 1 km from the S entrance, were easily avoided by detouring into Glenelg Bay and following the coast.  We covered 15km to the Sandaig Islands by lunchtime and could have returned on the N stream.  However, the following day we had to launch at 06.30 to pass through the channel on the N stream.  We saw dolphins in Glenelg Bay both days, and an otter on our detour up Loch Alsh to Avernish. 

Tidal Information

In Kyle Rhea

N stream +05.45   S stream -0015 HW Ullapool

The rate at spring tides is 6-7kn on the N stream and 8kn on the S stream. Strong and prolonged winds from the S and SW increase the duration and rate of the N stream and correspondingly reduce the S stream.  Winds from he N have the reverse effect.  The S stream is also increased (and N reduced) during snow-melt and periods of heavy rain.  Streams run fastest in S entrance.

During second half of N stream, stream sets onto rocks on W side of channel.

S stream and a S wind set up dangerous overfalls at south entrance to channel (which we bypassed by following E shore).

On S stream an eddy forms in Bernera Bay (not marked on OS sheet) and eddies can be found throughout the channel.