
Surf Forecasts:
Inch Reefs surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 11s period, WSW swell with 575 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period with W swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Inch Reefs this week:
The surf forecast for Inch Reefs over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 8s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Inch Reefs in the next 16 days are 1.6m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Inch Reefs over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’m gonna level with ya—this outlook for Inch Reefs is a tough one. We’ve got a solid 16-day window staring at us, but don’t get your hopes up too quick. There’s a big fat gap of nothing for the first several days, with only one brief moment where it might just come together.
The water’s sitting at 64°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. Makes a wetsuit a bit more bearable, but you’ll still want one.
Alright, let’s start from the top. Tuesday the 11th kicks off with nothing—tiny 1ft swell from the WSW with a long 12-second period, so it’s got some energy (90 combined swell energy), but it’s weak and lumped up with a cross-shore wind. Forget it. Wednesday the 12th and Thursday the 13th are similar—marginal at best, with 5ft to 5ft of WSW swell but cross-onshore winds messing it all up. The combined energy bumps up to moderate numbers like 350 and 439, but the conditions are rubbish.
Friday the 14th shows a tiny glimmer. Morning is still messy with 5ft from the W at 8 seconds (300 combined energy) and a cross wind. But by the afternoon, things clean up. We’ve got 5ft from the WNW, 8-second period, combined energy of 301, and a cross-offshore wind from the NNW at 12 mph. The waves are clean. For a point break like Inch Reefs, that’s the best we’ll see for a while. It’s not huge, but it’s manageable for an advanced surfer. Keep in mind it’s a point break, so that short period swell won’t be the best shape, but with clean wind, you can still get some fun ones. Crowds can show up sometimes, so don’t expect a solo session.
Then it’s back to the doldrums. Saturday the 15th drops to 1ft of nothing. Sunday the 16th morning is just 3ft of weak 4-second slop. The afternoon jumps to 7ft from the SW at 7 seconds (479 combined energy), but it’s cross-shore and bumpy—marginal at best.
Now, Monday the 17th morning is the standout. Clear skies, light offshore from the ESE at just 3 mph, and 5ft of W swell at 8 seconds. Combined energy is moderate at 222, and the comment says “expect good surf conditions.” That’s the one to circle. Clean, offshore winds at a point break like Inch Reefs will give you proper, peeling lines. It’s not huge, but for an advanced surfer, that’s a fun morning. Just remember, crowds sometimes roll in here.
After that, it’s a long, sad run. From Monday afternoon through to Wednesday the 26th, it’s all poor. Sizes drop to 0.7ft to 5ft, winds are cross-on or howling, and the combined energy mostly stays below 100 or moderate but messy. There’s a spike on Sunday the 23rd afternoon with 5ft from the SW at 8 seconds and 546 combined energy, but it’s onshore and unknown conditions—no good. Monday the 24th morning hits 8ft from the WNW at 7 seconds (587 combined energy), but that’s a strong cross-shore wind at 28 mph. That’s kite-surfing territory, not paddle surfing.
So, bottom line: the only real window of decent surf is Friday afternoon the 14th and Monday morning the 17th. The rest is a write-off. If you’re patient, the 17th morning looks the best. Otherwise, it’s a long wait.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 22°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | SW 10 | WSW 9 | SW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 8 | WSW 9 | SW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 7 | SW 4 | SW 7 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | WSW 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
48 | 198 | 535 | 327 | 392 | 532 | 437 | 411 | 304 | 295 | 295 | 8 | 15 | 22 | 18 | 31 | 466 | 432 | 222 | 131 | 118 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:28PM3.42m | 5:01AM3.37m | 5:15PM3.63m | 5:47AM3.52m | 5:59PM3.75m | 6:30AM3.57m | 6:41PM3.77m | 7:10AM3.54m | 7:21PM3.67m | 7:49AM3.43m | 8:01PM3.48m | 8:27AM3.25m | 8:40PM3.22m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:10AM0.48m | 10:41PM0.13m | 10:57AM0.29m | 11:26PM-0.06m | 11:41AM0.17m | 00:09AM-0.15m | 12:22PM0.13m | 00:49AM-0.13m | 1:02PM0.17m | 1:27AM-0.01m | 1:41PM0.29m | 2:05AM0.20m | 2:20PM0.48m | 2:42AM0.47m | |||||||
6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:13 | — | — | 9:10 | — | — | 9:08 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:05 | — | — | 9:02 | — | — | 9:00 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 22 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 16 |
Feels °C | 18 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 17 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 10 | WSW 11 | N 8 | WSW 9 | SW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | S 11 | W 9 | S 11 | SW 10 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | N 9 | W 8 | W 7 | WSW 7 |
92 | 198 | 13 | 327 | 392 | 532 | 437 | 2 | 304 | 2 | 4 | 291 | 261 | 206 | 125 | 51 | 26 | 25 | 222 | 131 | 118 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | N 9 | SSW 12 | N 8 | W 12 | N 8 | S 11 | N 7 | S 11 | S 13 | N 11 | WSW 9 | SW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | N 10 | NNW 7 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 |
34 | 40 | 14 | 5 | 47 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 15 | 22 | 18 | 10 | 17 | 10 | 21 | 20 | 10 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 12 | NW 8 | NW 8 | SW 12 | N 8 | — | N 7 | — | S 14 | N 11 | S 10 | N 10 | N 9 | N 10 | N 10 | N 9 | SW 18 | SW 18 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 6 |
48 | 10 | 2 | 6 | 5 | — | 1 | — | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 5 | S 6 | SW 10 | SSE 4 | — | — | — | WSW 10 | — | W 8 | WNW 8 | — | — | — | — | SW 4 | SW 7 | W 8 | — | — | — |
42 | 124 | 535 | 17 | — | — | — | 411 | — | 295 | 295 | — | — | — | — | 31 | 466 | 432 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 15 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 243 | 110 | 389 | 323 | 382 | 360 | 27 | 14 | 7 | 238 | 84 | 0 | 27 | 14 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Kerry | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Ireland | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Inch Reefs Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Inch Reefs provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Inch Reefs can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Inch Reefs 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 (Inch Reefs) 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 Inch Reefs 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Kerry? If you are looking for accommodation near Inch Reefs, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Kerry, consider staying in Fenit which is 18 km (11 miles) away. Other places in and around Kerry where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Tra Li which is 24 km (15 miles) away, Valentia, Bantry and Foynes.











