Fanad Head Reef surf break

Fanad Head Reef surfForecast / Donegal / Ireland

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 pm Friday 06 Feb 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
7.3° C
(Which is 1.6°C colder than average 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 Saturday (Feb 07) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Fanad Head Reef in the next 12 days are 2.4m 18s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Feb 11) at 9PM. 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 6s period and expected on Saturday (Feb 07) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Sat 7th Feb)2ft (0.6m) 13s
Best Surf12AM (Thu 12th Feb)8ft (2.4m) 18s
Most Powerful 9PM (Wed 11th Feb)8ft (2.4m) 18s

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 Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Mon morning. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Sun afternoon, min 6°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ESE on Fri night, calm by Sat night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Tue morning, min 6°C on Thu afternoon). Winds increasing (calm on Wed afternoon, strong winds from the N by Thu afternoon).

Saturday
07
Sunday
08
Monday
09
Tuesday
10
Wednesday
11
Thursday
12
Fri
13
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
3
4
4
3
2
4
5
3
4
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.9
WNW
0.7
WNW
0.6
WNW
0.5
W
0.6
W
0.6
W
0.6
W
0.5
W
0.6
W
0.9
WNW
2.1
WNW
1.8
WNW
1.4
WNW
1.1
WNW
1.2
WNW
2.4
WNW
1.9
WNW
1.6
WNW
1.2
WNW
2.3
NNW
2.1
NNW
Period(s) (?)1413131212111111132218171514211817161588
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)27717812976103948560115725261118269025071196360219691239648620563
Wind
(km/h)
30
ESE
25
E
15
E
10
ESE
10
S
15
SE
20
SE
20
ESE
30
ESE
15
SSE
20
SSE
20
SE
20
SSE
15
SSW
5
S
15
SW
15
SW
5
SW
55
N
30
N
30
NNW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offoffoffcross-
off
cross-
off
offoffoffoffcross-
off
glasscross-
off
cross-
off
glassononon
High Tide
/ height (m)
9:03PM
2.87
9:22AM
3.04
9:38PM
2.69
9:57AM
2.74
10:17PM
2.49
10:39AM
2.46
11:08PM
2.31
11:39AM
2.21
12:32AM
2.17
1:26PM
2.10
2:30AM
2.22
3:10PM
2.19
3:45AM
2.42
4:07PM
2.39
Low Tide
/ height (m)
3:02AM
0.42
3:32PM
0.60
3:40AM
0.69
4:09PM
0.85
4:23AM
0.97
4:54PM
1.10
5:22AM
1.23
6:02PM
1.30
7:00AM
1.38
7:47PM
1.35
8:50AM
1.32
9:14PM
1.21
9:57AM
1.12
Saturday
07
Sunday
08
Monday
09
Tuesday
10
Wednesday
11
Thursday
12
Fri
13
Sunrise-8:11--8:08--8:07--8:04--8:03--8:00--7:58-
Sunset--5:17--5:20--5:22--5:23--5:25--5:28--5:30
light rain
light rain
light rain
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
cloud
light rain
light rain
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
cloud
mod rain
rain showers
light rain
light rain
Rain (mm)
311----331-31-1--81323
Temp. °C667789788899988888655
Feels °C (?)-203345321355547546-6-3-5
  • 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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