
Surf Forecasts:
Inchydoney surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 20 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 20 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 10s period, WSW swell with 586 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 20 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Inchydoney this week:
The surf forecast for Inchydoney over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 20) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 11s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Inchydoney in the next 16 days are 1.7m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 20) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Sun 20th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Sun 20th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sun 20th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Inchydoney over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. We’ve got a long look ahead for Inchydoney, and I’ll be straight with you – it’s a tough stretch for most of the next 16 days. We’re looking at a river mouth setup that needs pretty much everything to line up, and for a long while, it just doesn’t.
The best run comes right at the very end, with a proper pulse of energy. Water temps are sitting around 61°, which is about average for now.
Right now through to the end of the third week of September, it’s pretty much a write-off. The swell is there, but it’s mostly weak and short-period, with cross and cross-onshore winds messing up the shape. The combined energy is low to moderate, with readings often under 100, occasionally getting up to 138 or 191, but the wind is just never doing us any favours. It’s frustrating to watch.
There’s a little tease on the 22nd. Tuesday morning brings clean conditions with a light cross-off breeze out of the ENE, a 2.3ft groundswell from the WSW with a long 11-second period, and energy hitting 191. It’s a surfable wave, but it’s ordinary – not enough punch to get excited about. The 22nd afternoon turns onshore anyway.
Then we go into another dry spell. The 23rd, 24th, 25th, and 26th are all small and messy. Onshore winds and tiny, weak swells – most days the combined energy is below 100, and the swell height barely breaks 2.0ft. It’s a tough stretch of nearly a week with nothing to recommend.
Finally, the good news. On the 28th of September, Monday morning, the stars align. We get an offshore wind from the NNW at 15 km/h, clean conditions, and a proper 9.8ft groundswell from the SW. The combined energy jumps to 1090, which is serious, powerful water. The period is 8 seconds, so it’s a solid wind swell with a lot of punch. This is big – well over 8.2ft – so it’s for experienced surfers only. Expect very good surf conditions. The afternoon stays clean, with the swell settling to 5.9ft from the WSW, a long 11-second period, and energy up at 1233. It’s a standout window, but with that size, you need to know what you’re doing.
The 29th and 30th drop back off as winds turn onshore and the quality fades quickly.
So, overall, if you’ve got patience, the 28th of September is the absolute highlight – a proper, powerful, clean session for the experts. The rest is a waiting game.
Stay keen.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Fri afternoon, calm by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 7 | WSW 9 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 4 | WSW 6 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 8 | SW 5 | SW 7 | SW 6 | SW 7 | SW 6 | WSW 10 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 7 | SW 7 | SW 9 | WSW 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
86 | 129 | 152 | 60 | 25 | 139 | 132 | 143 | 120 | 67 | 178 | 154 | 131 | 136 | 586 | 39 | 40 | 27 | 27 | 39 | 59 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | glassy | on | glassy |
High Tide | 8:38PM3.28m | 8:56AM3.22m | 9:15PM3.03m | 9:35AM2.97m | 9:56PM2.76m | 10:19AM2.72m | 10:45PM2.52m | 11:17AM2.49m | 11:54PM2.34m | 12:40PM2.37m | 1:28AM2.31m | 2:12PM2.43m | 2:48AM2.45m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:35PM0.35m | 2:49AM0.48m | 3:10PM0.57m | 3:25AM0.70m | 3:50PM0.82m | 4:07AM0.93m | 4:40PM1.05m | 5:04AM1.14m | 5:51PM1.23m | 6:27AM1.27m | 7:22PM1.27m | 7:57AM1.23m | 8:41PM1.16m | ||||||||
7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | |
— | 7:51 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 11 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 7 | WSW 9 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | S 11 | S 13 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | SW 18 | S 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 7 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 7 | SW 7 | SW 9 | WSW 10 |
86 | 129 | 152 | 60 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 4 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 86 | 21 | 20 | 27 | 27 | 39 | 59 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | SW 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 13 | S 10 | S 10 | S 16 | S 18 | SW 12 | S 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 14 | S 11 | W 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
8 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 20 | 2 | 7 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | S 15 | S 18 | — | — | — | S 19 | S 19 | — | W 12 | S 18 | — | W 14 | — | S 11 | W 12 | S 11 | W 14 | S 10 | S 10 | S 7 |
5 | 4 | 6 | — | — | — | 7 | 7 | — | 3 | 6 | — | 4 | — | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 3 | W 4 | NW 3 | WNW 2 | WSW 4 | WSW 6 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 8 | SW 5 | SW 7 | SW 6 | SW 7 | SW 6 | WSW 10 | SW 6 | SW 6 | — | — | — | — |
6 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 25 | 139 | 132 | 143 | 120 | 67 | 178 | 154 | 131 | 136 | 586 | 39 | 40 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 468 | 537 | 288 | 102 | 428 | 623 | 623 | 468 | 288 | 113 | 427 | 299 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 102 | 102 | 102 | 18 | 102 | 18 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cork | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Ireland | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Inchydoney Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Inchydoney provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Inchydoney can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Inchydoney 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 (Inchydoney) 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 Inchydoney 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 Cork? If you are looking for accommodation near Inchydoney, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Cork, consider staying in Kinsale which is 27 km (17 miles) away. Other places in and around Cork where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Bantry which is 42 km (26 miles) away, Cork, Cobh and Youghal.










