Fanad Head Reef surf break

Fanad Head Reef surfForecast / Donegal / Ireland

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Thursday 04 Dec 2025 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
10.8° 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 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Dec 05) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 17s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Fanad Head Reef in the next 12 days are 3.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Dec 05) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Friday (Dec 05) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Fri 5th Dec)11ft (3.5m) 17s
Best Surf12AM (Fri 5th Dec)11ft (3.5m) 17s
Most Powerful12AM (Fri 5th Dec)11ft (3.5m) 17s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fanad Head Reef over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Very mild (max 11°C on Sat afternoon, min 5°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Thu afternoon, gales from the SE by Fri afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 10°C on Sun afternoon, min 7°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Sun afternoon, calm by Tue afternoon).

Thu
04
Friday
05
Saturday
06
Sunday
07
Monday
08
Tuesday
09
Wednesday
10
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
!
!
3
0
3
5
4
3
4
1
2
2
!
5
5
4
3
3
0
4
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
3.5
WNW
3.5
WNW
3
WNW
2
WNW
1.4
WNW
2.5
WNW
3
WNW
2.5
WNW
1.9
WNW
1.4
WNW
2.1
W
1.1
WNW
3.5
W
2.4
WNW
2.5
WNW
2.3
WNW
2.5
NW
3
WNW
3
W
2
WNW
1.6
WNW
Period(s) (?)151716151319171513136201817161514781312
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)4904723040191626649457249022612122962333310106865309033392450237993811421356742
Wind
(km/h)
15
S
20
SSE
40
SE
65
SE
20
SSE
20
S
20
WSW
15
SW
25
SE
25
SW
20
SSE
25
SSW
20
S
20
SSE
20
SSE
5
ESE
5
WNW
10
S
35
W
20
SSE
40
SSE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
offoffoffoffoffcross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
offcross-
off
offoffoffglasscross-
on
offcrossoffoff
High Tide
/ height (m)
5:19PM
3.41
5:44AM
3.47
6:08PM
3.41
6:31AM
3.56
6:57PM
3.31
7:19AM
3.55
7:45PM
3.14
8:08AM
3.45
8:35PM
2.92
9:00AM
3.29
9:28PM
2.68
9:56AM
3.09
10:26PM
2.47
10:56AM
2.88
Low Tide
/ height (m)
11:25PM
0.04
11:51AM
-0.01
12:10AM
0.04
12:40PM
-0.02
12:56AM
0.09
1:31PM
0.07
1:42AM
0.21
2:23PM
0.24
2:30AM
0.36
3:19PM
0.45
3:22AM
0.55
4:18PM
0.65
4:19AM
0.74
Thu
04
Friday
05
Saturday
06
Sunday
07
Monday
08
Tuesday
09
Wednesday
10
Sunrise--8:37--8:38--8:41--8:41--8:42--8:45--8:45
Sunset4:02--4:02--4:01--4:01--4:00--4:00--4:00--
clear
rain showers
light rain
mod rain
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
cloud
cloud
light rain
mod rain
cloud
clear
light rain
light rain
Rain (mm)
-21742--812----39--13
Temp. °C7679101011109109998999810911
Feels °C (?)31-2156764433436775202
  • 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 12 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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