Fanad Head Reef surf break

Fanad Head Reef surfForecast / Donegal / Ireland

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Friday 29 May 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
12.0° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)

Fanad Head Reef surf forecast from 29 May 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 4 Jun, 10PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 4 Jun, 10PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, W swell with 4,369 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 29 May, 10PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period with W swell.

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 Friday (May 29) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m 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 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jun 04) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Jun 03) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Fri 29th May)4ft (1.2m) 8s
Best Surf10PM (Thu 4th Jun)11ft (3.5m) 13s
Most Powerful10PM (Thu 4th Jun)11ft (3.5m) 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

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, fresh winds from the S by Wed night).

Friday
29
Saturday
30
Sunday
31
Monday
1
Tuesday
2
Wednesday
3
Thursday
4
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
1
1
2
2
1
0
2
1
0
1
0
0
1
2
1
3
2
1
!
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
WSW
7
1.5
W
8
1
WNW
8
0.7
W
8
0.9
W
10
1
W
12
1.2
W
12
1.4
W
12
1.1
W
11
0.8
W
11
0.7
W
10
0.6
W
10
0.6
W
9
0.6
W
9
0.6
W
9
0.7
WNW
13
0.9
WNW
12
2.5
W
14
3
W
13
3
W
13
3.5
W
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
252
256
130
57
148
266
400
538
305
151
108
68
60
57
60
176
232
2856
2848
2904
4134
Wind (km/h)
40
SW
35
WSW
15
SSE
20
SSE
20
SSE
15
SSW
25
SW
25
WSW
10
SSE
15
SSE
10
WNW
0
WSW
10
WSW
15
W
20
SSE
20
SSE
20
SSW
35
S
30
SW
35
SW
40
SSW
cross-off
cross
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
off
off
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
6:03PM2.96m
6:17AM2.93m
6:37PM3.04m
6:52AM2.94m
7:11PM3.08m
7:27AM2.92m
7:45PM3.09m
8:02AM2.86m
8:21PM3.05m
8:37AM2.77m
8:59PM2.98m
9:13AM2.66m
9:38PM2.88m
Low Tide
11:44AM0.51m
00:04AM0.55m
12:18PM0.49m
00:41AM0.51m
12:52PM0.48m
1:17AM0.50m
1:26PM0.50m
1:53AM0.54m
2:01PM0.53m
2:30AM0.61m
2:36PM0.59m
3:08AM0.71m
3:13PM0.66m
3:49AM0.81m
cloud
clear
part cloud
light rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
mod rain
rain showers
light rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:01
5:00
4:58
4:58
4:56
4:56
4:54
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
9:54
9:55
9:58
9:59
10:00
10:01
10:02
4
1
1
3
1
6
1
2
3
2
2
2
Temp °C
13
14
14
12
14
14
13
14
12
14
13
12
13
13
13
14
14
12
13
12
11
6
7
11
8
11
12
8
9
10
13
11
11
11
10
12
11
10
7
7
5
3
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
NW
9
0.2
W
12
1
WNW
8
0.7
W
8
0.9
W
10
1
W
12
0.2
N
10
0.2
N
8
1.1
W
11
0.8
W
11
0.7
W
10
0.6
W
10
0.6
W
9
0.6
W
9
0.6
W
9
0.8
WSW
9
1.2
WSW
9
2.5
W
14
3
W
13
3
W
13
3.5
W
13
Energy kJ
14
11
130
57
148
266
7
5
305
151
108
68
60
57
60
103
232
2856
2848
2904
4134
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
W
14
0.1
W
18
0.4
W
10
0.5
NW
7
0.6
WNW
12
0.3
NNW
9
0.2
N
8
0.2
N
9
0.2
N
9
0.2
N
8
0.2
N
7
0.1
N
7
0.6
W
5
0.7
WNW
13
0.9
WNW
12
Energy kJ
14
6
33
24
123
17
4
6
6
5
4
1
20
176
228
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
N
6
0.1
W
16
0.2
W
15
0.2
NNW
11
0.1
N
10
0.1
W
15
0.1
W
14
0.3
WNW
15
0.1
N
6
Energy kJ
1
5
18
11
2
4
4
42
1
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
WSW
7
1.5
W
8
1.2
W
12
1.4
W
12
0.3
NE
4
0.4
NW
3
0.5
W
4
Energy kJ
252
256
400
538
2
3
6
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
1
2
2
2
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
4
5
3
4
Distance (km)
389
152
0
0
0
0
23
373
0
0
31
0
23
23
0
0
68
325
23
388
330
Best forecast wave conditions in Donegal
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
5
Best forecast wave conditions in Ireland
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
3
3
2
4
3
2
2
1
1
1
2
1
2
1
5
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
7
7
6
5
5
4
4
5
8
4
6
5
5
5
5
5
7
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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