Fanad Head Reef surf break

Fanad Head Reef surfForecast / Donegal / Ireland

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Friday 29 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), 15s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 4 Jun, 1PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, WNW swell with 5,314 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 30 May, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period with WNW 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 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. 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 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jun 04) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 2s period and expected on Wednesday (Jun 03) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Sat 30th May)3ft (0.9m) 8s
Best Surf 7AM (Thu 4th Jun)11ft (3.5m) 15s
Most Powerful 1PM (Thu 4th Jun)11ft (3.5m) 14s

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 Sat morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Fri afternoon, calm by Mon morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, strong winds from the SW by Thu morning).

Fri
29
Saturday
30
Sunday
31
Monday
1
Tuesday
2
Wednesday
3
Thursday
4
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
1
2
2
0
0
2
1
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
2
!
!
4
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
W
8
1
WNW
8
0.7
W
8
1
W
10
1
W
12
1.3
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
9
0.9
W
13
1.3
W
12
3
WNW
15
3.5
WNW
15
3.5
WNW
14
2.5
WNW
13
2.4
WNW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
291
130
58
190
266
469
464
253
149
108
68
60
58
81
276
485
3252
4851
4362
2515
1670
Wind (km/h)
35
WSW
15
SSE
25
SSE
20
SSE
15
SSW
25
WSW
20
W
10
S
15
SSE
10
NW
5
NE
15
NW
20
WNW
10
S
20
SSW
40
WSW
35
SW
40
SW
40
SW
20
SSE
35
SE
cross
off
off
off
cross-off
cross
cross
off
off
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
High Tide
6:03PM2.96m
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
Low Tide
00:04AM0.55m
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
clear
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
mod rain
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
clear
rain showers
light rain
<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>
9:54
9:55
9:58
9:59
10:00
10:01
10:02
10:04
2
1
1
4
6
8
1
3
2
2
2
Temp °C
14
14
12
15
14
13
14
12
15
12
12
12
12
12
13
12
10
11
13
12
13
6
11
7
13
12
8
10
10
15
10
11
10
9
11
9
4
1
2
4
8
6
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
W
18
1
WNW
8
0.7
W
8
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
9
0.9
W
13
0.1
N
6
3
WNW
15
3.5
WNW
15
3.5
WNW
14
2.5
WNW
13
2.4
WNW
12
Energy kJ
6
130
58
190
266
18
6
253
149
108
68
60
58
81
276
1
3252
4851
4362
2515
1670
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
W
10
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
0.2
N
7
0.2
N
7
0.3
WNW
15
0.1
N
6
0.1
N
8
Energy kJ
33
24
123
18
4
6
6
5
4
4
43
1
1
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
W
16
0.2
W
15
0.2
NNW
11
0.1
N
10
0.1
W
15
0.1
W
18
0.2
N
6
Energy kJ
5
18
11
2
4
6
3
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
W
8
1.3
W
12
1.3
W
12
0.3
S
2
1.3
W
12
Energy kJ
291
469
464
1
485
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
1
2
2
2
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
4
5
4
4
Distance (km)
152
0
0
0
0
133
372
0
0
19
0
87
31
0
107
396
406
427
371
0
128
Best forecast wave conditions in Donegal
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
4
Best forecast wave conditions in Ireland
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
3
2
2
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
2
5
5
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
7
7
6
5
5
4
4
5
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
  • 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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