Fanad Head Reef surf break

Fanad Head Reef surfForecast / Donegal / Ireland

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 am Friday 24 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
9.5° 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 Tuesday (Apr 28) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Fanad Head Reef in the next 16 days are 0.9m 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Apr 30) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Apr 30) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Tue 28th Apr)1.5ft (0.4m) 15s
Best Surf 7PM (Tue 28th Apr)2.5ft (0.8m) 13s
Most Powerful 4PM (Thu 30th Apr)3ft (0.9m) 13s

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

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 9°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
2
0
2
2
0
2
Swell
Height Map
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
W
14
0.2
W
14
0.2
W
14
0.2
W
12
0.2
W
11
0.1
W
10
0.1
N
9
0.3
NNW
8
0.4
NNW
9
0.3
N
8
0.2
N
8
0.2
W
10
0.4
WNW
14
0.7
WNW
13
0.9
WNW
12
0.9
WNW
12
0.8
WNW
12
0.7
W
11
0.7
NW
14
0.9
NW
13
0.9
NW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
15
14
16
11
9
2
2
12
27
12
5
8
82
184
276
236
179
116
187
286
252
Wind (km/h)
10
SE
10
ESE
15
SSE
10
SSE
10
NNW
0
WSW
5
WSW
10
NW
10
WSW
10
WNW
10
NNW
5
E
10
SE
15
ENE
10
SSE
10
SE
20
E
10
ESE
10
E
15
NE
15
ESE
off
cross-off
off
off
on
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross-on
on
cross-off
off
cross
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
1:00PM2.30m
1:41AM2.68m
2:35PM2.31m
3:04AM2.78m
3:48PM2.46m
4:07AM2.94m
4:40PM2.65m
4:55AM3.07m
5:22PM2.83m
5:34AM3.17m
5:57PM2.99m
6:09AM3.21m
6:29PM3.10m
Low Tide
6:55PM1.02m
8:17AM0.90m
8:27PM0.97m
9:34AM0.75m
9:39PM0.81m
10:28AM0.57m
10:32PM0.63m
11:09AM0.42m
11:15PM0.48m
11:44AM0.31m
11:52PM0.37m
12:15PM0.25m
00:27AM0.30m
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:05
6:03
6:01
5:58
5:56
5:54
5:52
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:52
8:53
8:55
8:58
9:00
9:01
9:04
Temp °C
16
18
14
15
13
12
12
11
11
10
10
11
15
16
13
14
16
14
13
15
13
13
15
11
14
9
9
10
9
9
8
8
9
13
12
10
11
11
12
8
11
10
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
W
14
0.2
W
14
0.2
W
14
0.2
W
12
0.2
W
11
0.1
W
10
0.1
NW
7
0.3
NNW
8
0.4
NNW
9
0.3
N
8
0.2
WNW
4
0.2
WNW
5
0.4
WNW
14
0.7
WNW
13
0.9
WNW
12
0.9
WNW
12
0.8
WNW
12
0.7
W
11
0.7
NW
14
0.9
NW
13
0.9
NW
12
Energy kJ
15
14
16
11
9
2
2
12
27
12
2
2
82
184
276
236
179
116
187
286
252
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
W
9
0.1
N
7
0.1
NW
6
0.1
NW
6
0.1
NW
6
0.1
NW
7
0.1
N
9
0.2
N
11
0.2
W
9
0.2
W
4
0.2
N
8
0.2
W
10
0.2
WNW
5
0.2
N
11
0.3
N
10
0.2
N
9
0.1
NW
16
0.4
NW
16
0.6
W
11
0.5
W
10
0.4
W
9
Energy kJ
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
9
7
1
5
8
2
10
18
6
10
88
82
49
28
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
W
8
0.1
NW
8
0.1
NW
8
0.1
NW
6
0.1
W
9
0.1
NW
7
0.1
NW
6
0.2
W
8
0.2
W
8
0.2
W
8
0.2
W
9
0.2
N
8
0.1
N
8
Energy kJ
1
3
2
1
2
2
2
6
5
4
6
6
1
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
W
3
0.2
NNW
5
0.4
NE
2
0.2
ENE
4
0.4
E
2
0.5
E
3
0.2
ESE
2
Energy kJ
1
2
1
1
2
4
1
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
2
2
2
2
Distance (km)
39
138
138
139
138
145
313
313
31
216
138
52
0
16
0
0
16
0
0
64
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Donegal
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
2
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
Best forecast wave conditions in Ireland
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
4
5
4
5
5
8
6
6
5
5
7
9
5
5
9
5
5
6
  • 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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