Fanad Head Reef surf break

Fanad Head Reef surfForecast / Donegal / Ireland

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Tuesday 09 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 Wednesday (Dec 10) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.0m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 17s. 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 18s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Dec 12) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Dec 14) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Wed 10th Dec)13ft (4.0m) 12s
Best Surf 6PM (Wed 10th Dec)13ft (4.0m) 12s
Most Powerful12PM (Fri 12th Dec)13ft (4.0m) 18s

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 13mm), heaviest on Tue morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue morning, min 6°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (severe gales from the SW on Tue afternoon, light winds from the SSW by Thu afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Sat morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Sat morning, min 7°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the S on Sat night, near gales from the S by Sun afternoon).

Tuesday
09
Wednesday
10
Thursday
11
Friday
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
0
0
0
!
2
4
6
!
!
!
!
!
!
3
0
1
2
3
4
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2
WNW
1.8
WNW
4.5
WNW
3.5
WNW
4
WNW
3.5
WNW
2.5
WNW
2.5
WNW
3
WNW
4
WNW
4
WNW
3.5
WNW
3.5
WNW
3.5
WNW
4
WNW
3
WNW
3
WNW
2.5
WNW
2.4
WNW
2.2
WNW
2
WNW
Period(s) (?)151513121214131417171716151414141414141413
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)190713967802358841344050218727255619939793016427452249085982423733532707230919491366
Wind
(km/h)
40
SSE
50
SSE
60
SW
50
WSW
50
SW
30
SSW
45
SSE
15
SSW
20
S
25
S
40
SW
30
S
40
SSW
45
SSW
35
SSW
35
S
50
S
45
S
20
WSW
5
NE
10
SSE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
offoffcross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offcrosscrossoff
High Tide
/ height (m)
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
3:08PM
2.61
Low Tide
/ height (m)
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
8:49AM
0.96
9:19PM
0.81
Tuesday
09
Wednesday
10
Thursday
11
Friday
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Sunrise8:42--8:45--8:45--8:47--8:48--8:48--8:49--
Sunset-4:00--4:00--4:00--4:00--4:00--4:00--4:00-
light rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
light rain
light rain
cloud
cloud
rain showers
cloud
cloud
cloud
Rain (mm)
24211--3---1224--1---
Temp. °C1413101011111187889121212121111101010
Feels °C (?)73-5-124242-1-12333510588
  • 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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