Fanad Head Reef surf break

Fanad Head Reef surfForecast / Donegal / Ireland

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Sunday 31 May 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
12.6° C
(Which is 1.1°C warmer than normal for this time of year)

Fanad Head Reef surf forecast from 31 May 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 31 May, 10PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 12s period, W swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 7 Jun, 7AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period, W swell with 1,521 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 31 May, 10PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 12s period with W swell.

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 Sunday (May 31) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 8s. 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 2.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jun 07) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Jun 03) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Sun 31st May)3.5ft (1.1m) 12s
Best Surf10PM (Sun 31st May)3.5ft (1.1m) 12s
Most Powerful 7AM (Sun 7th Jun)8ft (2.5m) 11s

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

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed morning, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSE on Tue night, strong winds from the WSW by Thu morning).

Sunday
31
Monday
1
Tuesday
2
Wednesday
3
Thursday
4
Friday
5
Saturday
6
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
W
12
1.3
W
12
1
W
11
0.8
W
11
0.8
W
10
0.9
W
10
0.8
W
9
1
W
9
0.6
W
10
1
W
13
1.6
WSW
7
1.7
W
12
0.9
W
11
1.4
W
12
1.5
W
14
1.7
W
13
1.5
W
12
1.7
W
10
1.9
W
9
1.9
W
11
2
W
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
461
472
253
146
136
149
109
166
68
350
245
765
191
511
912
957
628
575
627
862
959
Wind (km/h)
25
WSW
25
W
10
SE
10
S
15
SSE
15
SW
20
W
25
W
20
SW
20
S
30
SW
35
WSW
35
WSW
40
WSW
35
SW
35
WSW
35
WSW
40
SSW
30
SSW
30
SSW
25
WSW
cross
cross
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
High Tide
6:52AM2.94m
7:11PM3.08m
7:27AM2.92m
7:45PM3.09m
8:02AM2.86m
8:21PM3.05m
8:37AM2.77m
8:59PM2.98m
9:13AM2.66m
9:38PM2.88m
9:51AM2.53m
10:20PM2.78m
10:35AM2.41m
11:06PM2.69m
Low Tide
12:52PM0.48m
1:17AM0.50m
1:26PM0.50m
1:53AM0.54m
2:01PM0.53m
2:30AM0.61m
2:36PM0.59m
3:08AM0.71m
3:13PM0.66m
3:49AM0.81m
3:51PM0.74m
4:33AM0.90m
4:34PM0.83m
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
light rain
light rain
rain showers
clear
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
light rain
light rain
cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
4:58
4:58
4:56
4:56
4:54
4:54
4:52
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
9:58
9:59
10:00
10:01
10:02
10:04
10:05
3
4
1
2
2
1
3
2
5
2
8
Temp °C
14
15
14
15
16
13
13
13
12
14
12
12
12
11
11
12
12
12
13
14
11
9
10
13
14
14
10
10
8
8
10
6
5
3
2
5
5
5
5
7
8
8
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
NNW
10
1.3
W
12
1
W
11
0.8
W
11
0.8
W
10
0.9
W
10
0.8
W
9
0.1
N
7
0.6
W
10
1
W
13
0.7
WNW
12
0.9
W
11
1.4
W
12
1.7
W
13
1.5
W
12
1.7
W
10
1.9
W
9
1.9
W
11
2
W
11
Energy kJ
9
472
253
146
136
149
109
1
68
350
157
191
511
957
628
575
627
862
959
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
N
9
0.2
N
8
0.2
N
9
0.2
N
9
0.2
N
8
0.1
N
7
0.1
W
18
0.3
WNW
15
0.6
NNW
6
Energy kJ
6
4
6
6
5
1
6
44
20
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
N
10
0.1
W
15
0.1
N
7
Energy kJ
2
4
1
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
W
12
1
W
9
0.8
W
5
0.4
SSE
3
1.6
WSW
7
1.7
W
12
1.5
WNW
6
1.5
W
14
Energy kJ
461
166
37
3
245
765
176
912
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
3
2
1
2
1
2
2
1
1
1
Distance (km)
23
152
0
0
0
5
325
384
23
0
107
146
351
403
384
384
427
445
427
427
62
Best forecast wave conditions in Donegal
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
1
2
1
2
2
Best forecast wave conditions in Ireland
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
3
2
2
1
1
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
6
5
5
4
4
5
5
6
5
5
5
5
4
5
5
5
9
6
6
9
9
  • 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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