Fanad Head Reef surf break

Fanad Head Reef surfForecast / Donegal / Ireland

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 pm Thursday 11 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
10.2° 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 Friday (Dec 12) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.0m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Fanad Head Reef in the next 12 days are 7.0m 21s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Dec 18) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Fri 12th Dec)13ft (4.0m) 17s
Best Surf 6AM (Fri 12th Dec)13ft (4.0m) 17s
Most Powerful 3AM (Thu 18th Dec)23ft (7.0m) 21s

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 15mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat night, min 5°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Sat afternoon, light winds from the NW by Sun afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Sun night. Very mild (max 13°C on Sun night, min 5°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Tue morning, near gales from the S by Tue night).

Friday
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thu
18
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
5
!
!
!
!
0
3
2
3
2
2
3
2
4
4
1
1
1
!
!
!
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
3
WNW
4
WNW
4
WNW
4
WNW
3.5
WNW
3.5
WNW
3
WNW
3
WNW
2.4
WNW
2.5
WNW
3
WNW
3
WNW
3
WNW
3
WNW
3
WNW
2.3
WNW
2.5
WNW
3
W
7
WNW
6.5
WNW
5.5
NW
Period(s) (?)161818171514131313131415151514131313222019
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)4547107489091828856634247346828101989209835043258451543943334190120082959452143246522461
Wind
(km/h)
20
SSE
25
SSE
30
SSW
25
SSW
45
S
50
SSW
30
SSW
30
SSW
10
NW
45
S
25
WSW
30
SSW
25
WSW
20
S
20
S
50
SSE
45
SW
45
SW
55
SW
40
SW
30
SSE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
offoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
offcrosscross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
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
4:20AM
2.75
4:36PM
2.75
4:57AM
2.89
5:13PM
2.83
Low Tide
/ height (m)
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
10:23AM
0.76
10:38PM
0.65
11:02AM
0.66
Friday
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thu
18
Sunrise-8:47--8:48--8:48--8:49--8:51--8:52--8:52-
Sunset--4:00--4:00--4:00--4:00--4:00--4:00--4:00
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
mod rain
light rain
cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
mod rain
Rain (mm)
-----23464-----42-1-7
Temp. °C77971012131391399967111210988
Feels °C (?)212012687532012230-2-21
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder

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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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