Fanad Head Reef surf break

Fanad Head Reef surfForecast / Donegal / Ireland

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Wednesday 10 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
10.1° 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 Wednesday (Dec 10) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 17s. 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 5.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Dec 14) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Monday (Dec 15) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Wed 10th Dec)11ft (3.5m) 12s
Best Surf 6PM (Wed 10th Dec)11ft (3.5m) 12s
Most Powerful 9AM (Sun 14th Dec)16ft (5.0m) 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 Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 11°C on Wed afternoon, min 6°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the WSW on Wed morning, light winds from the SSW by Thu afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Sun night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 7°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Sun night, near gales from the WSW by Mon night).

Wednesday
10
Thursday
11
Friday
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
2
2
4
5
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
0
4
2
1
0
0
3
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
3.5
WNW
3.5
WNW
3
WNW
3
W
2.5
WNW
3
WNW
4
WNW
4
WNW
3.5
WNW
3.5
WNW
3.5
WNW
3.5
WNW
5
WNW
4
WNW
3
WNW
3
WNW
2.5
WNW
2.2
WNW
3.5
WNW
3.5
WNW
2.5
WNW
Period(s) (?)111214141416181817161413181514141414151513
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)279935053955314127254665109631061775526491478441621599962282925296223441777530051532454
Wind
(km/h)
50
WSW
50
SW
35
S
45
S
20
SW
20
S
25
S
30
SSW
25
S
35
S
40
S
30
SW
25
SSW
40
SSE
35
WSW
25
S
25
SSW
40
S
35
W
25
W
30
SSE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
offoffcross-
off
offoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offcrossoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
9:56AM
3.09
10:26PM
2.47
10:56AM
2.88
11:32PM
2.32
12:02PM
2.71
12:44AM
2.28
1:10PM
2.61
1:54AM
2.33
2:14PM
2.58
2:52AM
2.45
3:08PM
2.61
3:40AM
2.60
3:55PM
2.67
Low Tide
/ height (m)
4:18PM
0.65
4:19AM
0.74
5:24PM
0.81
5:24AM
0.90
6:32PM
0.90
6:37AM
1.00
7:37PM
0.92
7:48AM
1.01
8:32PM
0.88
8:49AM
0.96
9:19PM
0.81
9:39AM
0.87
10:00PM
0.74
Wednesday
10
Thursday
11
Friday
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Sunrise8:45--8:45--8:47--8:48--8:48--8:49--8:51--
Sunset-4:00--4:00--4:00--4:00--4:00--4:00--4:00-
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
light rain
mod rain
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
clear
rain showers
thunderstorm
rain showers
rain showers
Rain (mm)
1--16----141-24--3212
Temp. °C101111119878891313111513989997
Feels °C (?)-12415301-105667211-3032
  • 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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