Fanad Head Reef surf break

Fanad Head Reef surfForecast / Donegal / Ireland

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Saturday 30 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
12.0° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)

Fanad Head Reef surf forecast from 30 May 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 4 Jun, 7AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 4 Jun, 1PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, W swell with 4,908 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 30 May, 10AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s 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 Saturday (May 30) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 7s. 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 Thursday (Jun 04) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 2s period and expected on Wednesday (Jun 03) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Sat 30th May)2.5ft (0.7m) 9s
Best Surf 7AM (Thu 4th Jun)11ft (3.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 1PM (Thu 4th Jun)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

Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sun night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed morning, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Wed night, calm by Thu afternoon).

Saturday
30
Sunday
31
Monday
1
Tuesday
2
Wednesday
3
Thursday
4
Friday
5
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
2
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
!
!
2
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
W
9
1
W
10
1
W
12
1.2
W
12
1.3
W
12
1
W
11
0.8
W
11
0.7
W
10
0.6
W
10
0.6
W
9
0.6
W
9
0.7
W
10
0.9
W
13
1.1
W
12
1.8
W
12
3.5
W
14
3.5
W
13
3
WNW
12
2.2
WNW
12
1.8
WNW
11
1.5
WNW
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
74
188
266
400
472
253
149
106
68
60
58
87
272
347
872
4283
4595
2708
1379
817
483
Wind (km/h)
20
SSE
15
S
15
SSW
25
WSW
25
WSW
10
SSE
10
SSE
10
NNW
15
ENE
10
N
15
W
10
S
25
SSE
15
WSW
40
SW
35
SW
25
WSW
35
ESE
55
S
55
WSW
35
SW
off
off
cross-off
cross
cross
off
off
on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
off
off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
6:17AM2.93m
6:37PM3.04m
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
Low Tide
12:18PM0.49m
00:41AM0.51m
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
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
cloud
heavy rain
light rain
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
mod rain
mod rain
rain showers
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:00
4:58
4:58
4:56
4:56
4:54
4:54
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
9:55
9:58
9:59
10:00
10:01
10:02
10:04
3
2
5
1
17
2
1
1
1
7
7
3
Temp °C
13
16
14
13
14
12
13
13
12
12
13
13
14
14
11
12
13
11
11
12
12
9
14
12
8
9
10
12
12
10
10
11
11
10
11
4
4
7
6
1
5
5
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
W
9
1
W
10
1
W
12
0.3
NNW
10
0.2
N
9
1
W
11
0.8
W
11
0.7
W
10
0.6
W
10
0.6
W
9
0.6
W
9
0.7
W
10
0.9
W
13
1.1
W
12
0.5
WNW
16
3
WNW
12
2.2
WNW
12
1.8
WNW
11
1.5
WNW
10
Energy kJ
74
188
266
18
6
253
149
106
68
60
58
87
272
347
147
2708
1379
817
483
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
NW
7
0.6
WNW
12
0.3
NNW
10
0.2
N
8
0.2
N
9
0.2
N
9
0.2
N
8
0.1
N
7
0.1
N
7
0.3
WNW
15
0.1
N
6
Energy kJ
27
123
18
4
6
6
5
1
1
42
1
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
WNW
15
0.2
NNW
11
0.1
N
10
0.1
W
15
0.1
W
14
0.1
W
18
0.2
N
3
Energy kJ
22
11
2
4
4
6
1
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
W
12
1.3
W
12
0.4
WNW
3
0.3
NNW
4
0.3
SSE
2
1.8
W
12
3.5
W
14
3.5
W
13
Energy kJ
400
472
4
2
1
872
4283
4595
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
2
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
4
3
4
3
Distance (km)
0
0
0
152
363
0
0
16
12
138
23
0
31
23
406
403
32
396
781
341
152
Best forecast wave conditions in Donegal
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
2
2
Best forecast wave conditions in Ireland
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
2
3
3
2
2
2
1
2
1
2
2
2
8
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
7
7
6
5
5
4
4
4
7
4
6
5
5
5
4
8
4
9
5
6
  • 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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