Fanad Head Reef surf break

Fanad Head Reef surfForecast / Donegal / Ireland

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 am Friday 17 Apr 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
8.7° C
(Which is slightly cooler than normal)

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 (Apr 19) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Fanad Head Reef in the next 16 days are 2.2m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Apr 17) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Apr 21) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Sun 19th Apr)4.5ft (1.3m) 9s
Best Surf10PM (Sun 19th Apr)4ft (1.2m) 13s
Most Powerful 4PM (Fri 17th Apr)7ft (2.2m) 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 Fri night. Very mild (max 12°C on Fri morning, min 7°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Fri afternoon, light winds from the ENE by Sun night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Tue afternoon, min 6°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ENE on Mon morning, fresh winds from the E by Tue morning).

Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
0
0
0
1
2
1
2
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.2
W
2.2
W
1.7
W
2.4
WNW
2.2
WNW
1.4
NW
1.3
NW
0.7
NW
1.2
NW
1.1
WNW
1.2
WNW
1.1
WNW
1.1
NW
1.1
NW
0.9
NW
0.6
WNW
0.5
NW
0.4
NW
0.2
WNW
0.2
WNW
0.2
WNW
Period(s) (?)111111910981412111313141312111110999
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)3691213676913932323239195428291499421482412223845624887
Wind
(km/h)
30
S
40
SW
25
WSW
30
WNW
25
WNW
15
WSW
10
SW
10
N
10
E
5
ENE
25
ENE
20
E
30
E
30
E
20
E
15
E
25
E
15
ESE
10
ESE
20
ENE
10
E
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
offcross-
off
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
oncross-
off
crosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
7:00PM
3.39
7:16AM
3.63
7:38PM
3.47
7:57AM
3.57
8:18PM
3.46
8:40AM
3.40
9:01PM
3.35
9:27AM
3.13
9:51PM
3.16
10:22AM
2.80
10:50PM
2.93
11:30AM
2.49
12:07AM
2.74
Low Tide
/ height (m)
12:47PM
-0.11
12:59AM
-0.06
1:24PM
-0.14
1:40AM
-0.09
2:03PM
-0.05
2:23AM
-0.01
2:44PM
0.12
3:10AM
0.17
3:29PM
0.37
4:04AM
0.43
4:22PM
0.64
5:11AM
0.71
5:28PM
0.89
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Sunrise6:22--6:20--6:18--6:16--6:13--6:11--6:07--
Sunset-8:37--8:39--8:42--8:44--8:45--8:47--8:50-
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
Rain (mm)
--31-----------------
Temp. °C121198998881010791210101110121212
Feels °C (?)522145555532145347879
  • 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 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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