Ireland Surf Spots & Information
The idyllic vision of Ireland is green fields, castles and
quaint pubs with friendly locals. It’s true, Ireland is beautiful
and green. The Irish, like their Guinness, are warm and
welcoming. The waves? Well, they have those too. Hidden
among the wonders of Ireland is the fact that its west-facing rugged coastline is a top-notch surf destination filled with coves, points and hard-packed beaches that, when the conditions gel, treat surfers to a variety of conditions. All you need to score waves is patience, time, and a good wetsuit.
Ireland’s 1450 km of coastline grapples with imposing wind, weather and tides. It’s called the Emerald Isle for a reason – annual rainfall in the west can reach 120 inches a year, which makes for startlingly green terrain. Summer and winter temperatures are mild due to the effect of the Atlantic Ocean and the proximity of the Gulf Stream; but once you add in wind, rain, and cold Northern Atlantic water, the story turns chillier. A 4/3 wetsuit with booties, gloves and a hood is recommended for most months, save July and August. Summer ushers in throngs of wave-hungry surfers. The warm weather, mellow waves and occasional sunshine permit novices and experienced surfers to hit the surf with equal gusto. It is also the best time to be dealt a long, flat swell, so flexibility is essential when surfing in the summer.
The best time for quality surf is autumn. This is when low-pressure systems start regularly throwing off quality surf. The arrival of colder water coupled with the end of summer crowds sets the stage for sparse lineups and consistent swells. As good as it can get, ever-changing tide swings, wind and weather create a challenge in finding the right spot – at the right time. Nonetheless, if you dial in (make friends with a local), or get lucky, words like classic, epic and all-time best can get thrown around.
If autumn is the season for consistent surf, then winter is the time for reliably frigid and gnarly conditions. Winter’s raging, wind-blown, victory-at-sea conditions can keep you in the pubs and out of the surf for weeks. Patience and a lot of rubber will help you score good surf during winter months. Spring, as always, is a refreshing change from winter, but is still unpredictable.
Regardless of when you go, the people, landscape and green barrels are well worth the trip.
Find a surf school in Ireland.
Rossnowlagh |
| Surf Location |
Located in Northwest Ireland in Donegal Bay. Lots of parking available. |
| Best Swell Direction |
West |
| Best Tide |
Incoming |
| Best Wind Direction |
East |
| Best Surf Season |
Autumn |
| Wave Quality |
Good beach break that breaks right and left. Not known for its size. Pick your spot along 3-mile stretch of beach. |
| The Surfers |
Friendly locals, every one is stoked to be surfing |
| Boards |
Longboard, fish or shortboard |
| Paddle Out |
Easy to moderate |
| Skill Level |
Beginner to Intermediate |
| Bottom |
Sand |
| Watch Out For... |
Crowds during summer months |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
Tullan |
| Surf Location |
Located in the city of Bundoran; Donagal Bay area |
| Best Swell Direction |
West, Northwest |
| Best Tide |
Mid to Low |
| Best Wind Direction |
East |
| Best Surf Season |
Autumn and spring; very popular in the summer |
| Wave Quality |
Long stretch of beach that is good at catching swell out of the west. Beach break known for its consistency. The main peak is at the south end of the beach along the cliff side. |
| The Surfers |
Local crew from Bundoran runs the main peak. Patience and respect will get you waves; it can get competitive when it’s on. |
| Boards |
All boards work here. |
| Paddle Out |
Easy |
| Skill Level |
Beginner to Experienced |
| Bottom |
Sand with some rocks |
| Watch Out For... |
Crowds, respect the locals |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
Bundoran |
| Surf Location |
Center stage in downtown Bundoran |
| Best Swell Direction |
West |
| Best Tide |
Low to Mid |
| Best Wind Direction |
East |
| Best Surf Season |
Fall and Spring |
| Wave Quality |
Excellent when overhead. This is one of Ireland’s premier breaks as it breaks over a rock reef and serves up left and right breaking tubes. |
| The Surfers |
Bundoran locals are cool - just show respect and wait your turn |
| Boards |
Shortboard to mini-gun |
| Paddle Out |
Walk over rock reef when size permits, or paddle around bay when it gets big |
| Skill Level |
Intermediate to Expert |
| Bottom |
Rock reef |
| Watch Out For... |
Locals...if you cut them off |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
Mullaghmore |
| Surf Location |
Mullaghmore head outside of Bundoran proper |
| Best Swell Direction |
West, Southwest |
| Best Tide |
High |
| Best Wind Direction |
South or East |
| Best Surf Season |
Autumn and Winter |
| Wave Quality |
Two waves here: one is a pleasant beach break while the other is a Maverick’s type wave - only tow-in guys need apply |
| The Surfers |
Pretty mellow vibe at beach break, and few if any takers on the really big days |
| Boards |
Anything goes, all the way to tow-in boards |
| Paddle Out |
Easy to impossible |
| Skill Level |
Novice to fearless charger |
| Bottom |
Beach break is sand, outside reef is rock |
| Watch Out For... |
Mellow beach break – not much
Outside reef – long hold-downs and near-death experiences |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
Streedagh Strand |
| Surf Location |
Streedagh (Donegal Bay) |
| Best Swell Direction |
West, Northwest |
| Best Tide |
Mid to High |
| Best Wind Direction |
Southeast, East |
| Best Surf Season |
Fall and Winter |
| Wave Quality |
Beach break that can get good but often closes out |
| The Surfers |
Friendly locals stoked on surfing |
| Boards |
Anything you want |
| Paddle Out |
Easy |
| Skill Level |
Beginner to Intermediate |
| Bottom |
Sand |
| Watch Out For... |
Crowds in summer |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
|
|
Dunmoran |
| Surf Location |
East of Easky in rural setting |
| Best Swell Direction |
North |
| Best Tide |
Mid |
| Best Wind Direction |
South |
| Best Surf Season |
Fall and Spring |
| Wave Quality |
Good choice when a north swell is running. Fairly consistent beach break in nice setting surrounded by farms. Sandy beach good for an all day outing. |
| The Surfers |
Sligo surfers frequent this break, but peaks are spread out and plentiful |
| Boards |
Shortboard, fish, longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Easy |
| Skill Level |
Beginner to Intermediate |
| Bottom |
Sand |
| Watch Out For... |
Crowds in summer |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
Easky |
| Surf Location |
Head to the river mouth and park east of Easky... look for the castle |
| |
| Best Swell Direction |
Northwest |
| Best Tide |
Low |
| Best Wind Direction |
South |
| Best Surf Season |
Autumn, Spring and Winter |
| Wave Quality |
Easky Left and Easky Right are regional classics. Both waves are fast-breaking high-performance waves with tube potential. |
| The Surfers |
Good local crew with an occasionally aggressive vibe |
| Boards |
Short to big wave board |
| Paddle Out |
Can be difficult, but channels are easiest way to make it out |
| Skill Level |
Beginner to Expert |
| Bottom |
Reef-rock |
| Watch Out For... |
Respect the locals and travel lightly |
| Water Condition |
Relatively clean |
Doolin Point |
| Surf Location |
South of Crab Island and north of Lahinch |
| Best Swell Direction |
West, Northwest |
| Best Tide |
Low to Mid |
| Best Wind Direction |
East |
| Best Surf Season |
Fall |
| Wave Quality |
Long point break rights good for carving and flying down the line |
| The Surfers |
Mellow vibe as long as you don’t try to dominate the lineup |
| Boards |
Shortboard to longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Study how the locals do it before charging out. Booties recommended due to sharp reef. |
| Skill Level |
Intermediate |
| Bottom |
Sharp rock |
| Watch Out For... |
Rocks and sharp reef |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
Lahinch |
| Surf Location |
Town of Lahinch |
| Best Swell Direction |
Anything out of the west |
| Best Tide |
Low to Mid |
| Best Wind Direction |
Anything out of the east |
| Best Surf Season |
Autumn |
| Wave Quality |
Mellow beach break good for beginners. There is also a good left that breaks off the point. |
| The Surfers |
Good surfers with friendly attitude |
| Boards |
Shortboard to longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Easy |
| Skill Level |
Novice to Intermediate |
| Bottom |
Sand |
| Watch Out For... |
Too many beers in the pub |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
Spanish Point |
| Surf Location |
At Spanish Point village |
| Best Swell Direction |
West |
| Best Tide |
Low to Mid |
| Best Wind Direction |
East |
| Best Surf Season |
Autumn |
| Wave Quality |
Good beginner wave in cool resort town |
| The Surfers |
Cool vibe |
| Boards |
Shortboard to longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Easy |
| Skill Level |
Beginner to Intermediate |
| Bottom |
Sand |
| Watch Out For... |
Crowds in summer |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
