Fanad Head Reef surf break

Fanad Head Reef surfForecast / Donegal / Ireland

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Saturday 14 Mar 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
7.9° 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 Sunday (Mar 15) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 7.0m and 19s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Fanad Head Reef in the next 16 days are 7.0m 19s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Mar 16) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Mar 21) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Sun 15th Mar)23ft (7.0m) 19s
Best Surf 9PM (Sun 15th Mar)23ft (7.0m) 19s
Most Powerful12AM (Mon 16th Mar)23ft (7.0m) 19s

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 Moderate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Tue morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Mon afternoon, min 5°C on Sun afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Sat night, near gales from the W by Sun afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Tue afternoon, min 5°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Sat
14
Sunday
15
Monday
16
Tuesday
17
Wednesday
18
Thursday
19
Friday
20
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
0
0
!
!
0
!
0
2
4
4
3
2
1
0
3
2
1
2
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
3
NW
2.4
NW
3
WNW
4.5
WNW
7
NW
6.5
NW
5
NW
3.5
NW
3
WNW
2.5
WNW
2.4
WNW
2.5
WNW
2.5
WNW
2.4
NW
2
NW
1.8
NW
1.4
NW
1.1
NW
0.9
WNW
1.3
NW
1.6
NW
Period(s) (?)121310121918171514131215141212111111101313
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)208918461845641937870272171450257353520254917042563218016791112794497263175511905
Wind
(km/h)
25
W
25
SSW
50
W
55
W
50
WSW
40
SW
50
SW
35
S
50
S
25
SW
10
S
5
SSW
10
NW
15
N
15
NNE
15
NE
10
SSE
15
SE
15
SE
15
ESE
30
ESE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscross-
off
crosscrosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
glasscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
offoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
3:38PM
2.29
4:00AM
2.64
4:18PM
2.54
4:35AM
2.92
4:51PM
2.78
5:06AM
3.20
5:23PM
3.00
5:37AM
3.43
5:55PM
3.19
6:09AM
3.60
6:28PM
3.32
6:43AM
3.67
7:02PM
3.39
7:18AM
3.64
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:36PM
1.02
10:13AM
0.88
10:14PM
0.74
10:46AM
0.58
10:47PM
0.47
11:16AM
0.31
11:19PM
0.23
11:47AM
0.07
11:51PM
0.04
12:19PM
-0.09
12:25AM
-0.07
12:52PM
-0.15
1:00AM
-0.10
Sat
14
Sunday
15
Monday
16
Tuesday
17
Wednesday
18
Thursday
19
Friday
20
Sunrise--6:47--6:43--6:41--6:39--6:35--6:33--6:31
Sunset6:30--6:32--6:35--6:37--6:38--6:40--6:43--
cloud
light rain
rain showers
light rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
cloud
light rain
light rain
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
Rain (mm)
-212511-33-----------
Temp. °C897578121212988897778967
Feels °C (?)20-4-8-3-135234657334341-1
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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