Surf Forecasts:
Inch Reefs surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 10s period, W swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period, WNW swell with 355 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 10s 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 10s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Inch Reefs in the next 16 days are 1.7m 8s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 10s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Inch Reefs over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s cut the chase. The next week is going to be a bummer for most of us. We’re looking at a long stretch of flat, weak, and mess.
The first few days are tiny, with swells under a foot or two, short periods, and a cross-onshore wind ruining the vibe. Energy readings are weak, in the low double digits. You might see a little bump on the 17th, but it’s crossed up and weak. Not worth paddling out.
Monday the 18th sees a bit more size, pushing 6ft, but the wind is still onshore and the surface is messy. Honestly, if you’re into kitesurfing, this looks more fun. For a surfboard, it’s a pass.
Finally, on the 21st we get a clean offshore wind, but the swell is only 2ft. It’s glassy but nothing to ride. The water at Inch Reefs will be a very unusual 65°F, which is a full 4°F warmer than normal for this time of year. Crazy warm.
We get a tiny window on the 22nd and 23rd with light offshore winds and long-period swells, but the size is stuck at 1ft. These long-period swells can close out a beach break, so a point like Inch Reefs is the only place to even look. But at that size, it’s more for the longboard.
The first week is a grind. The real excitement, the only thing worth getting up for, is at the very end. On the morning of Thursday, August 27th, the ocean finally turns on. We’re looking at a solid 8ft SW groundswell, with a light E wind, and a very strong energy reading of 877. This is the one. It’s a bit much for the beginners, but for the experienced crew, it’s going to be epic.
Friday the 28th keeps it going with 6ft to 6ft waves from the W, a 10-second period, and a light offshore ESE wind keeping it clean. Energy is still very strong at 692. Another solid day.
There’s a lull on Saturday the 29th, but by Sunday the 30th of August, we get a final push of 4ft with clean offshore wind.
So, don’t waste your energy this week. The two standout days, the ones to plan for, are Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th. Long-range forecasts can shift, but that’s the promise right now. The rest is just flat and crappy. It won’t stay poor for long.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | W 7 | WSW 7 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 8 | SSW 17 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | WSW 9 | SW 14 | W 9 | W 9 | WSW 8 | W 10 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
22 | 26 | 9 | 289 | 191 | 98 | 72 | 198 | 329 | 28 | 46 | 25 | 24 | 61 | 26 | 54 | 40 | 39 | 22 | 50 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | off | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 7:21PM3.67m | 7:49AM3.43m | 8:01PM3.48m | 8:27AM3.25m | 8:40PM3.22m | 9:06AM3.03m | 9:22PM2.93m | 9:48AM2.80m | 10:09PM2.65m | 10:37AM2.58m | 11:09PM2.42m | 11:44AM2.42m | 00:32AM2.29m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:27AM-0.01m | 1:41PM0.29m | 2:05AM0.20m | 2:20PM0.48m | 2:42AM0.47m | 3:00PM0.70m | 3:22AM0.76m | 3:45PM0.94m | 4:08AM1.04m | 4:43PM1.16m | 5:13AM1.26m | 6:10PM1.29m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | |
— | 9:05 | — | — | 9:02 | — | — | 9:00 | — | 8:59 | — | — | 8:57 | — | — | 8:54 | — | — | 8:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 13 | 13 | 15 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | N 8 | W 8 | SSW 17 | W 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WSW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | W 10 |
133 | 101 | 146 | 289 | 191 | 98 | 72 | 4 | 329 | 28 | 43 | 25 | 24 | 1744 | 850 | 29 | 268 | 101 | 65 | 50 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 8 | W 7 | WSW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | SW 16 | SSW 17 | N 7 | SW 17 | — | — | SW 16 | WSW 9 | SW 14 | W 9 | W 9 | WSW 8 | NW 7 |
22 | 26 | 9 | 39 | 22 | 25 | 11 | 10 | 27 | 4 | 46 | — | — | 61 | 26 | 54 | 40 | 39 | 22 | 14 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | S 12 | N 7 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | SSW 15 | — | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
7 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 12 | 3 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 21 | — | 19 | 17 | 17 | 17 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 3 | W 7 | — | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | — | — | NW 9 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 198 | — | 477 | 906 | 880 | 1437 | — | — | 823 | 198 | 77 | 44 | 122 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 243 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 187 | 15 | 27 | 634 | 110 | 601 | 11 | 459 | 398 | 11 | 290 | 565 | 3 | 7 | 78 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Kerry | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











