Fanad Head Reef surf break

Fanad Head Reef surfForecast / Donegal / Ireland

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Wednesday 08 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
8.5° 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 Wednesday (Apr 08) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 11s. 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 5.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Apr 11) 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 1.6m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Apr 11) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Wed 8th Apr)5ft (1.6m) 12s
Best Surf 1AM (Fri 10th Apr)13ft (4.0m) 15s
Most Powerful 1PM (Sat 11th Apr)18ft (5.5m) 16s

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 21mm), heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 12°C on Wed afternoon, min 3°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Wed morning, near gales from the SE by Fri afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Mild temperatures (max 8°C on Sun morning, min 4°C on Sat night). Mainly strong winds.

Wednesday
08
Thursday
09
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
3
0
0
!
!
2
2
2
!
!
0
0
3
3
1
0
0
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.9
WNW
1.6
WNW
2
WNW
2.5
WNW
4.5
WNW
4
WNW
3.5
NW
3
NW
2.4
WNW
3
W
4.5
WNW
3.5
WNW
4
NW
3.5
NW
2
WNW
1.9
WNW
2.4
WNW
2.1
WNW
2
NW
1.7
NW
1.2
NW
Period(s) (?)131211111415151514121513131212101010101010
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)121670310081479860865934949337721252958964734625844352711407851080833773531268
Wind
(km/h)
15
SW
15
SW
20
S
35
WSW
45
W
30
W
25
SSE
50
SSE
30
S
45
S
45
S
15
S
30
NW
45
WNW
20
SW
20
S
15
W
25
NW
20
NNW
15
N
10
SE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
crossoffoffcross-
off
cross-
off
offoffcross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
offcross-
on
onononoff
High Tide
/ height (m)
10:16AM
2.43
10:43PM
2.47
11:04AM
2.19
11:52PM
2.28
12:32PM
2.02
1:43AM
2.22
2:33PM
2.04
Low Tide
/ height (m)
4:20PM
1.04
5:00AM
1.20
5:14PM
1.23
6:23AM
1.38
6:48PM
1.35
8:25AM
1.36
8:37PM
1.26
Wednesday
08
Thursday
09
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Sunrise6:45--6:43--6:39--6:37--6:35--6:33--6:30--
Sunset-8:20--8:22--8:23--8:25--8:28--8:30--8:31-
part cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
light rain
heavy rain
clear
light rain
light rain
light rain
clear
cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
Rain (mm)
--2121-213-232---11---
Temp. °C101210876886677888888887
Feels °C (?)676-3-4-4-2-4-5-5-30-2-33334344
  • 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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