Ballycotton surf break

Ballycotton surfForecast / Cork / Ireland

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 pm Wednesday 21 Jan 2026 IST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Ballycotton surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Ballycotton sea temperature is
9.5° C
(Which is slightly cooler than normal)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Ballycotton this week:

The surf forecast for Ballycotton over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jan 22) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Ballycotton in the next 12 days are 4.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jan 27) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 9s period and expected on Friday (Jan 23) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Thu 22nd Jan)5ft (1.6m) 15s
Best Surf 9AM (Sat 24th Jan)15ft (4.5m) 9s
Most Powerful 9PM (Tue 27th Jan)13ft (4.0m) 17s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ballycotton over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Fri afternoon. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Wed night, min 6°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, gales from the ENE by Fri afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Sat night. Mild temperatures (max 8°C on Sat night, min 5°C on Mon night). Mainly strong winds.

Thursday
22
Friday
23
Saturday
24
Sunday
25
Monday
26
Tuesday
27
Wed
28
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
0
0
0
0
4
2
1
2
1
0
2
1
2
3
2
2
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.2
S
1.6
SW
1.4
SW
0.9
SW
2.1
SSW
3
S
5
SE
4.5
SE
4
SE
1.4
SW
1.6
SW
1.4
SW
1.3
SW
2.3
SSE
1.7
SW
1.1
SW
1.3
SW
1.5
SW
1.1
SW
0.9
SW
1.4
SW
Period(s) (?)10151510181110991510121169171615181610
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)986125186915428002265482032902281836490561371356430695897949703386385
Wind
(km/h)
0
W
10
W
20
W
25
E
30
ESE
50
E
50
E
15
WSW
25
WSW
25
SSW
25
WSW
35
WNW
20
SSW
20
W
25
NW
35
W
20
WSW
35
WSW
20
SW
15
SSE
45
ESE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
glassoffoffononononoffcross-
off
cross-
off
offoffcross-
off
offcross-
off
offoffoffcross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
7:24AM
3.75
7:39PM
3.65
8:01AM
3.73
8:17PM
3.60
8:41AM
3.65
9:00PM
3.49
9:26AM
3.51
9:48PM
3.35
10:18AM
3.33
10:45PM
3.20
11:20AM
3.16
11:55PM
3.08
12:35PM
3.05
Low Tide
/ height (m)
1:29AM
0.24
1:51PM
0.36
2:05AM
0.27
2:28PM
0.42
2:44AM
0.36
3:09PM
0.51
3:26AM
0.49
3:54PM
0.65
4:16AM
0.66
4:48PM
0.80
5:17AM
0.82
5:55PM
0.93
6:34AM
0.93
Thursday
22
Friday
23
Saturday
24
Sunday
25
Monday
26
Tuesday
27
Wed
28
Sunrise-8:25--8:23--8:22--8:22--8:19--8:18--8:18-
Sunset--5:00--5:02--5:05--5:06--5:07--5:09--5:12
cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
cloud
part cloud
mod rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
mod rain
Rain (mm)
--12148415--714111216
Temp. °C976787888878886688789
Feels °C (?)710-31-4-4420-102300-1014-1
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Ballycotton Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Ballycotton provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 12 days. A general guide to surfing at Ballycotton can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Ballycotton surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Ballycotton) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).

Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Ballycotton may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.

Are you planning a holiday in Cork? If you are looking for accommodation near Ballycotton, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Cork, consider staying in Youghal which is 18 km (11 miles) away. Other places in and around Cork where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Cobh which is 19 km (12 miles) away, Cork, Kinsale and Clonmel.

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