Fanad Head Reef surf break

Fanad Head Reef surfForecast / Donegal / Ireland

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Friday 03 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 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 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Apr 04) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be 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 Friday (Apr 10) 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 0.9m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Apr 07) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Sat 4th Apr)8ft (2.5m) 15s
Best Surf 1PM (Fri 10th Apr)11ft (3.5m) 13s
Most Powerful 1PM (Fri 10th Apr)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 Heavy rain (total 37mm), heaviest during Sat morning. Mild temperatures (max 7°C on Fri afternoon, min 2°C on Sat morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Fri morning, near gales from the NW by Sat night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed afternoon, min 6°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSE on Mon night, light winds from the WSW by Tue night).

Friday
03
Saturday
04
Sunday
05
Monday
06
Tuesday
07
Wednesday
08
Thursday
09
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
4
0
2
4
4
0
0
0
4
2
1
0
4
4
2
4
3
3
0
2
3
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.1
WNW
2.4
WNW
2.4
WNW
2.4
WNW
2.2
NW
3
NW
3
WNW
3.5
WNW
2.3
NW
1.8
NW
1.3
WNW
0.8
W
2.5
WNW
2.2
WNW
2.2
WNW
2.1
WNW
1.8
WNW
1.9
WNW
2
W
2.5
WNW
3
WNW
Period(s) (?)131312141414131111121214181617141312111214
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)14271872162223461949286630682613121294049623242392300275516801094101298716973096
Wind
(km/h)
10
SW
40
W
25
WSW
20
SSE
15
SSE
55
NW
45
W
40
W
15
S
35
SSE
35
SSE
40
SSE
25
SE
25
SE
15
WNW
15
SSE
30
S
25
SW
25
WSW
25
WSW
40
SSE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
on
crossoffoffoncross-
on
crossoffoffoffoffoffoffcross-
on
offoffcross-
off
crosscrossoff
High Tide
/ height (m)
7:56PM
3.26
8:10AM
3.31
8:25PM
3.20
8:39AM
3.13
8:54PM
3.08
9:09AM
2.92
9:25PM
2.91
9:41AM
2.68
9:59PM
2.70
10:16AM
2.43
10:43PM
2.47
11:04AM
2.19
11:52PM
2.28
Low Tide
/ height (m)
1:45PM
0.10
1:56AM
0.14
2:14PM
0.21
2:28AM
0.27
2:42PM
0.38
3:00AM
0.46
3:12PM
0.59
3:33AM
0.70
3:43PM
0.81
4:11AM
0.95
4:20PM
1.04
5:00AM
1.20
5:14PM
1.23
Friday
03
Saturday
04
Sunday
05
Monday
06
Tuesday
07
Wednesday
08
Thursday
09
Sunrise6:58--6:54--6:52--6:50--6:48--6:45--6:43--
Sunset-8:09--8:12--8:14--8:15--8:17--8:20--8:22-
mod rain
rain showers
cloud
mod rain
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
mod rain
mod rain
mod rain
clear
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
Rain (mm)
61-81462-----666-21---
Temp. °C676477676101091010812149998
Feels °C (?)3-3-3-22-3-5-4022145467433-3
  • 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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