Bundoran Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. We’ve got the Bundoran forecast in front of me, and it’s a bit of a mixed bag. A lot of messy days to wade through, but there are a few tidy windows if you’re patient. Let’s break it down.

The water is notably warm for the time of year, running 62°, which is 4° above average. That’s a proper anomaly, you’ll notice it.

Right off the bat, Wednesday the 9th and Thursday the 10th are write-offs. Onshore winds and choppy, weak conditions – not worth getting wet for. The surf quality is poor everywhere.

Things start to look up on Friday the 11th. The afternoon brings a cleaner picture with light cross-offshore breezes from the SSW. Swell is a clean 4ft from the WNW with a period of 9 seconds. The combined energy is moderate at 327. It’s not massive, but those light winds will make it smooth. This is a decent kick-off for the weekend.

Saturday the 12th is a no-go. Strong winds and rain dominate, and the swell jumps to 6ft but it’s choppy and blown out. Forget it.

Now, Sunday the 13th morning is a beauty. Clear skies, light SSW cross-offshore wind at 6 mph. The swell is a solid 4ft from the WNW with an 11-second period (groundswell energy), and the combined energy sits at a moderate 302. This is clean, lined-up, and uncrowded if you get in early. This is a standout – perfect for intermediates and worth the early start.

Monday the 14th is marginal. The morning is tiny at 2ft, but the afternoon picks up to 3ft with a longer 11-second period from the west. Light winds keep it clean, but it’s borderline.

We hit a rough patch from Tuesday the 15th through to Thursday the 17th. Onshore winds, lumpy seas, and a lot of poor surf – there are about three days of nothing exciting.

Then, Friday the 18th morning is the big one. This is the best on offer in the whole 16-day window. Cloudy but with a gentle offshore from the SSE at 9 mph. Swell is 5ft from the WNW with a long 12-second period, delivering a strong combined energy of 768. That’s proper groundswell with clean, offshore lines. This is expert territory due to the size and power, but for those who can handle it, the reef at Bundoran will be firing.

Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th are back to wind and rain. Not good.

But don’t give up. Monday the 21st morning is another gem. Slight air, offshore from the ESE at 3 mph. Swell holds at 4ft from the WNW with a 12-second period, energy at 519. Clean, smooth, and nearly glassy. A solid choice for a mid-range session.

Tuesday the 22nd morning also looks promising. Light offshore from the SE, 6ft swell from the west, period 10 seconds, and strong energy at 633. The wind is right, the swell is there – just watch the tide.

The outlook fades toward the end of the month. Wednesday the 23rd has a clean morning but gets knocked around by rain and rising wind in the afternoon. Thursday the 24th sees a big jump in swell to 7ft and 7ft, but the wind is messy, and the combined energy hits 1316 and 995 – that’s strong to very strong energy, but it’s too rough and cross-onshore for clean surfing. That much power with bad wind is a kite surfer's dream, not a paddle surfer’s.

To sum it up: Sunday the 13th morning and Friday the 18th morning are your two standout sessions. The 18th is the bigger, more powerful option but only for the experienced. Monday the 21st is a bonus clean day. The rest is a waiting game.

Stay sharp, read the tides, and don’t waste your energy on the sloppy days.

Rusty.

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