Fanad Head Reef surf break

Fanad Head Reef surfForecast / Donegal / Ireland

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Monday 08 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
10.3° 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 Monday (Dec 08) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 17s period. 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 4.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Dec 15) at 6AM. 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 Thursday (Dec 11) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Mon 8th Dec)10ft (3.0m) 17s
Best Surf 9PM (Wed 10th Dec)13ft (4.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 6AM (Mon 15th Dec)15ft (4.5m) 17s

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 Mon night. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue morning, min 8°C on Wed night). Mainly gales.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 12°C on Sat night, min 5°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSE on Thu morning, light winds from the SSE by Thu night).

Monday
08
Tuesday
09
Wednesday
10
Thursday
11
Friday
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
2
4
5
2
0
0
0
0
!
1
3
3
5
4
3
5
4
1
0
1
!
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.4
WNW
3
WNW
2.5
WNW
2
WNW
3
W
3.5
WNW
3.5
W
4
WNW
3.5
WNW
2.3
WNW
2.5
WNW
3
WNW
2.5
WNW
2.5
WNW
3
WNW
2.5
WNW
2
WNW
1.6
WNW
1.8
W
2.5
W
3.5
WNW
Period(s) (?)201816151513111214131416161616161412121216
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)1656525432981907412136623307458047391766270247013460397741163326142873086518666265
Wind
(km/h)
35
SSW
30
SSW
20
SE
45
SSE
65
SW
50
SW
55
SW
50
SW
30
SSW
45
SSE
40
SSE
20
WSW
25
SSE
30
SSE
25
S
25
SSE
25
S
45
SSE
35
SSW
45
SW
35
SW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
offoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offoffcrossoffoffcross-
off
offoffoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
8:35PM
2.92
9:00AM
3.29
9:28PM
2.68
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
Low Tide
/ height (m)
2:23PM
0.24
2:30AM
0.36
3:19PM
0.45
3:22AM
0.55
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
Monday
08
Tuesday
09
Wednesday
10
Thursday
11
Friday
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Sunrise8:41--8:42--8:45--8:45--8:47--8:48--8:48--
Sunset-4:00--4:00--4:00--4:00--4:00--4:00--4:00-
rain showers
rain showers
mod rain
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
mod rain
light rain
clear
part cloud
Rain (mm)
1184-12----1-----82--
Temp. °C101112151110101111911878766121398
Feels °C (?)4538-2-1-212-12-100-1-1056-10
  • 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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