Fanad Head Reef surf break

Fanad Head Reef surfForecast / Donegal / Ireland

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 am Tuesday 31 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
8.4° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

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 Thursday (Apr 02) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 11s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Fanad Head Reef in the next 16 days are 4.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Apr 07) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Apr 04) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Thu 2nd Apr)3ft (0.9m) 14s
Best Surf10PM (Mon 6th Apr)11ft (3.5m) 18s
Most Powerful 1PM (Tue 7th Apr)13ft (4.0m) 17s

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 Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 11°C on Tue afternoon, min 4°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the N on Wed morning, calm by Wed night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 12°C on Fri morning, min 4°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SW on Fri morning, light winds from the SE by Fri night).

Tuesday
31
Wednesday
01
Thursday
02
Friday
03
Saturday
04
Sunday
05
Monday
06
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
3
2
0
1
3
0
2
1
0
5
4
2
2
0
2
2
0
0
!
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
3
NW
2.5
WNW
2.2
WNW
2.2
WNW
2
WNW
1.3
WNW
1.5
NW
1.1
NW
1.5
WNW
2.4
W
3
W
3
WNW
2.3
NW
2.1
WNW
2.5
WNW
2.5
WNW
2.4
WNW
1.9
WNW
1.5
WNW
1.2
W
3.5
WNW
Period(s) (?)141312121110121110131316141413131311131217
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)2982199014831315973352689303407202331364004218515602329231018449507114466423
Wind
(km/h)
25
SW
30
WSW
20
SSW
25
SSW
35
N
15
N
15
SSE
35
S
30
SSE
45
SSW
35
W
15
SW
20
SSE
35
SSW
15
WNW
35
WSW
35
SW
30
SSE
45
SE
50
SE
25
S
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
oncross-
on
offcross-
off
offcross-
off
crosscross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
offoffoffoff
High Tide
/ height (m)
6:25PM
3.08
6:38AM
3.47
6:57PM
3.20
7:10AM
3.49
7:27PM
3.26
7:40AM
3.43
7:56PM
3.26
8:10AM
3.31
8:25PM
3.20
8:39AM
3.13
8:54PM
3.08
9:09AM
2.92
9:25PM
2.91
Low Tide
/ height (m)
12:15PM
0.17
12:18AM
0.18
12:47PM
0.07
12:52AM
0.09
1:16PM
0.05
1:24AM
0.08
1:45PM
0.10
1:56AM
0.14
2:14PM
0.21
2:28AM
0.27
2:42PM
0.38
3:00AM
0.46
3:12PM
0.59
3:33AM
0.70
Tuesday
31
Wednesday
01
Thursday
02
Friday
03
Saturday
04
Sunday
05
Monday
06
Sunrise7:05--7:03--7:00--6:58--6:54--6:52--6:50--
Sunset-8:04--8:06--8:07--8:09--8:12--8:14--8:15-
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
mod rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
thunderstorm
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
Rain (mm)
---33---3--72583---53
Temp. °C10111111767711128711117776897
Feels °C (?)5566-2-10-1540214-3-3-2-2-2-22
  • 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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