Fanad Head Reef surf break

Fanad Head Reef surfForecast / Donegal / Ireland

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Friday 27 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
7.2° C
(Which is 1.4°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 28) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.8m and 15s. 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 4.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Mar 02) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Monday (Mar 02) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Sat 28th Feb)7ft (2.2m) 13s
Best Surf12AM (Tue 3rd Mar)13ft (4.0m) 13s
Most Powerful 9PM (Mon 2nd Mar)13ft (4.0m) 14s

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 17mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 11°C on Sun morning, min 3°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Fri night, strong winds from the SSE by Sat night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 11°C on Wed afternoon, min 4°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, fresh winds from the SSE by Wed night).

Fri
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
01
Monday
02
Tuesday
03
Wednesday
04
Thursday
05
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
3
4
3
4
2
3
0
2
0
!
4
3
3
3
3
3
4
2
3
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.5
NW
3
NW
2.4
NW
1.7
NW
2.1
WNW
1.7
WNW
1.8
WNW
1.9
WNW
1.8
WNW
2.1
W
4
NW
3
NW
1.7
NNW
1.4
NNW
1.2
WNW
2
WNW
2
WNW
3
NW
2.4
WNW
2.2
NW
2
NW
Period(s) (?)12131313121211121211131111109131216151614
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)19362660197299612588057851053814108747831939645388237134211703990251023831604
Wind
(km/h)
25
NNW
10
NW
15
SSE
35
S
25
SSE
25
SSE
10
SSE
20
W
25
SSW
30
WNW
15
NNW
5
SSE
10
ENE
15
SSE
20
SSE
30
SSE
35
SSE
30
SE
35
SE
30
SE
30
S
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
oncross-
on
offoffoffoffoffcross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
on
onglasscrossoffoffoffoffoffcross-
off
offcross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
3:23PM
2.51
3:50AM
2.87
4:22PM
2.75
4:42AM
3.19
5:08PM
2.96
5:25AM
3.45
5:47PM
3.13
6:03AM
3.61
6:22PM
3.23
6:37AM
3.67
6:55PM
3.27
7:10AM
3.62
7:26PM
3.24
7:41AM
3.48
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:21PM
0.86
10:07AM
0.62
10:18PM
0.57
10:56AM
0.34
11:02PM
0.30
11:37AM
0.13
11:41PM
0.10
12:13PM
-0.01
12:16AM
-0.02
12:47PM
-0.05
12:50AM
-0.04
1:18PM
0.00
1:23AM
0.03
Fri
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
01
Monday
02
Tuesday
03
Wednesday
04
Thursday
05
Sunrise--7:24--7:22--7:18--7:16--7:13--7:11--7:09
Sunset6:00--6:01--6:04--6:06--6:07--6:09--6:12--
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
mod rain
cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
Rain (mm)
----1259-2-----------
Temp. °C76666111111888886811911121010
Feels °C (?)01-1-2-16521226511524534
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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