Fanad Head Reef surf break

Fanad Head Reef surfForecast / Donegal / Ireland

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 am Saturday 04 Apr 2026 IST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Fanad Head Reef surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Fanad Head Reef sea temperature is
8.3° C
(Which is slightly cooler than normal)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Fanad Head Reef this week:

The surf forecast for Fanad Head Reef over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Apr 04) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.4m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Fanad Head Reef in the next 16 days are 3.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Apr 09) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Friday (Apr 10) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Sat 4th Apr)8ft (2.4m) 14s
Best Surf10PM (Thu 9th Apr)11ft (3.5m) 15s
Most Powerful10PM (Thu 9th Apr)11ft (3.5m) 15s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fanad Head Reef over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 34mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 11°C on Mon afternoon, min 2°C on Sat morning). Mainly near gales.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed afternoon, min 4°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Tue morning, light winds from the SSE by Tue night).

Saturday
04
Sunday
05
Monday
06
Tuesday
07
Wednesday
08
Thursday
09
Friday
10
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
0
0
0
4
1
1
3
2
4
5
4
4
1
0
0
!
2
3
3
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.4
NW
2.2
NW
3
NW
3
WNW
3
WNW
2.1
WNW
1.4
NW
1.3
WNW
2.5
WNW
3
WNW
2.5
WNW
2.5
WNW
2.3
WNW
1.9
WNW
2
WNW
1.9
W
3
WNW
3.5
WNW
2.5
WNW
2.5
WNW
3
WNW
Period(s) (?)141414131111121217161616141311111215151413
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)24571949366328932131107555841436064255343635102181122697681521605745272921942637
Wind
(km/h)
10
ESE
20
S
45
NW
45
W
40
W
20
SSE
45
SSE
35
SSE
40
SSE
35
SE
25
SE
10
SE
10
S
15
SSW
20
WSW
25
W
25
W
15
SSE
35
SSE
25
S
10
WNW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
crosscrossoffoffoffoffcross-
off
offoffoffcross-
off
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
offoffcross-
off
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
8:25PM
3.20
8:39AM
3.13
8:54PM
3.08
9:09AM
2.92
9:25PM
2.91
9:41AM
2.68
9:59PM
2.70
10:16AM
2.43
10:43PM
2.47
11:04AM
2.19
11:52PM
2.28
12:32PM
2.02
1:43AM
2.22
Low Tide
/ height (m)
2:14PM
0.21
2:28AM
0.27
2:42PM
0.38
3:00AM
0.46
3:12PM
0.59
3:33AM
0.70
3:43PM
0.81
4:11AM
0.95
4:20PM
1.04
5:00AM
1.20
5:14PM
1.23
6:23AM
1.38
6:48PM
1.35
Saturday
04
Sunday
05
Monday
06
Tuesday
07
Wednesday
08
Thursday
09
Friday
10
Sunrise6:54--6:52--6:50--6:48--6:45--6:43--6:39--
Sunset-8:12--8:14--8:15--8:17--8:20--8:22--8:23-
mod rain
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
Rain (mm)
715102------1--131--145
Temp. °C37667591110121312121510887577
Feels °C (?)-13-5-5-1-1042591010137212-415
  • 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 Fanad Head Reef Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Fanad Head Reef provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Fanad Head Reef can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Fanad Head Reef 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 (Fanad Head Reef) 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 Fanad Head Reef 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.

Fanad Head Reef is 22 km (14 miles) from the city of Malin Head. If you plan a holiday in Donegal, look for hotels and other accommodation in Malin Head. Malin Head has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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