Surf Forecasts:
Crab Island surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 9s period, NW swell with 37 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Crab Island this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Crab Island in the next 16 days are 0.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Crab Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve got a look at what’s coming up for Crab Island.
Alright, straight up – the next week and a half is pretty grim. We’ve got a long stretch of tiny, weak swell, and most days are a write-off. From Tuesday afternoon, 14 July right through to Thursday, 23 July, it’s mostly flat to ankle-biters, with the odd surtable wave but nothing you’d paddle out for. There’s a big gap of no real recommendations until the weekend of 25 July. The water temp is sitting at 62°F at Crab Island, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year.
The first real standout kicks off on Saturday morning, 25 July. Early, we’ve got a clean 3ft from the WNW with a moderate offshore from the E, and the combined energy is moderate (226). That’s a solid session for a keen surfer. Then Saturday afternoon it jumps to 5ft from the W, period 9 seconds, light breeze, and clean with a cross-off wind – that’s a good one. The energy is strong (413). Sunday, 26 July, keeps it going with a 5ft W swell, gentle offshore from the E in the morning and a moderate offshore in the afternoon, energy still strong (427 and 407). That’s the pick of the run – two days of fun, clean, waist-to-chest high waves.
Now, Monday, 27 July, it gets bigger. The morning is 5ft from the W, but the wind is cross-off, clean, and the energy is moderate (397). The afternoon sees 6ft from the W with a 10-second period, cross-off wind, and very strong energy (652). That’s getting into the bigger range – over 5ft, so it’s not for beginners, and the 10-second period means it’ll have some punch but won’t be too weird. Tuesday, 28 July, morning is the last highlight: 6ft from the W, 10-second period, gentle cross-off, and very strong energy (600). That’s a solid expert wave, but the afternoon goes to crap with a cross-on wind.
Crab Island is a reef break, so those longer period swells will line up nicely, but it’s an advanced spot and crowds can be an issue. The water’s still a touch warmer than normal. After Tuesday, it drops off again with cross-onshore winds and choppy, lumpy conditions.
So, the best on offer is the 25th and 26th of July – clean, solid, fun waves. The 27th and 28th morning are for the experts only. The rest is a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue afternoon, min 16°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tue 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | NW 9 | W 8 | NW 5 | NW 7 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 50 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 37 | 10 | 25 | 21 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 35 | 18 | 31 | 30 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:02PM4.56m | 6:38AM4.35m | 6:51PM4.69m | 7:26AM4.39m | 7:38PM4.72m | 8:13AM4.34m | 8:23PM4.61m | 8:58AM4.20m | 9:08PM4.40m | 9:43AM4.01m | 9:53PM4.11m | 10:28AM3.78m | 10:40PM3.78m | 11:15AM3.56m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:17AM-0.02m | 12:32PM0.29m | 1:04AM-0.14m | 1:17PM0.27m | 1:49AM-0.13m | 2:02PM0.35m | 2:33AM0.01m | 2:45PM0.51m | 3:17AM0.25m | 3:30PM0.75m | 4:01AM0.57m | 4:17PM1.01m | 4:47AM0.92m | ||||||||
 |  | | | | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:37 |
 | — | 9:57 | — | — | 9:55 | — | — | 9:54 | — | — | 9:53 | — | — | 9:52 | — | — | 9:52 | — | — | 9:50 | 9:49 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 21 | 24 | 26 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 21 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 23 | 18 | 23 | 26 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 18 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 15 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | NW 9 | W 8 | W 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | W 9 | W 8 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 |
| kJ | 50 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 37 | 10 | 10 | 21 | 7 | 14 | 13 | 35 | 18 | 31 | 30 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | W 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | — | NW 5 | WNW 5 | W 8 | NW 5 | NW 7 | W 7 | W 9 | NW 6 | NW 5 | SW 8 | W 8 | NW 5 | NW 5 |
| kJ | 12 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 8 | 8 | — | 1 | 3 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 14 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 11 | — | — | W 11 | — | SW 15 | NW 10 | WNW 10 | — | WNW 8 | — | W 10 | W 10 | W 12 | W 11 | — | SW 8 | SW 7 | W 7 |
| kJ | — | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | 8 | 4 | 10 | — | 6 | — | 7 | 2 | 3 | 10 | — | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 2 | ENE 2 | ENE 2 | — | ENE 2 | NE 2 | NNE 2 | NNE 2 | — | — | NNE 2 | — | NW 5 | NNE 3 | NE 3 | — | NE 3 | NNW 6 | WNW 2 | NE 2 | — |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | 25 | 3 | 2 | — | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 107 | 107 | 107 | 107 | 107 | 109 | 107 | 148 | 909 | 12 | 79 | 565 | 63 | 63 | 166 | 63 | 63 | 108 | 63 | 63 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Clare | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Ireland | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Crab Island Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Crab Island provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Crab Island can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Crab Island 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 (Crab Island) 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 Crab Island 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 Clare? If you are looking for accommodation near Crab Island, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Clare, consider staying in Galway which is 35 km (22 miles) away. Other places in and around Clare where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Inis which is 35 km (22 miles) away, Shannon, Foynes and Limerick.
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