With so much coastline you would expect Argyll to be a mecca for
watersport enthusiasts - well you’re right. Scuba diving,
sea kayaking and sailing are very popular in the area with some
river canoeing, fishing, jet biking, windsurfing and water skiing
also going on.
Scuba diving is the most popular watersport - with the warm Gulf 
Stream affecting the west coast it means that we get some great
marine life and good visibility. There is a good variety of diving
here from wrecks at all depths, narrows with strong rip currents
and underwater cliffs that disappear down into the depths.  Some
of the sites are very exposed and require a reasonable amount of
experience whilst some are nice and easy.
There is some shore diving
but the best sites need boat access and there are several boat operators
here some running day trips on RIBs and charter boats doing week
long trips to some of the more remote spots.
The ultimate dive site is St Kilda, a group of islands 40 miles
out into the Atlantic from the Outer Hebrides, where underwater
cliffs and arches drop steeply from the surface to 60m plus, the
marine life covers every available surface and the visibility is
stunning. There is a good PADI school in Oban as well as several
dive boat charters.
Over the last 5 years we have noticed a huge number of sea canoeists
coming into the area and Oban and the West Coast is now the most
popular destinations in the country for sea canoeists. It isn’t
difficult to see why, lots of sheltered bays and lochs, some narrows
with a reasonable currents and some exposed coasts and crossings
for the more adventurous. There are lots of potential starting off
points but Arduaine, 15 miles south of Oban, is
used for the ease of access to Jura, Scarba and the Garvellachs
beyond and Oban itself is used for access to the Sound of Mull and
Ardnamurchan. 
We have a couple of local firms offering guided trips and rental of sea kayaks Tony Hammock at Sea Freedom Kayak and Ken Lacey at Undiscovered Country. Both are excellent paddlers and guides.
Oban is the best natural harbour on the West Coast and so is the
centre of offshore sailing activities locally. There are several
marinas within easy reach and a week long trip would be able to
take in easier coastal areas or heading offshore out past Mull and
onto the small isles or even as far as Skye. Oban bay is also great
for dinghy sailing and the local club has weekly races open to visitors.
Oban plays host to West Highland Week in the first week of August
which is the Scottish equivalent of Cowes.
The West Highlands has some great rivers for canoeing including
the river Orchy and the Etive and with the current (pardon the pun
) trend towards freestyle paddling and smaller squirt boats the
Falls of Lora has become very popular as every ebb tide gives a
perfect surf wave with the wave forming during Spring tides for
the expert only.
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