Kilcummin Harbour Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s coming our way for Kilcummin Harbour over the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, so we’ll take it step by step.

We start off on Thursday, the 3rd of September, with some rideable but not spectacular surf. The morning shows 5 feet from the west, with a period of 8 seconds – that’s a short-period wind swell, so the energy is a bit weak. The wind is a cross-off from the southwest, which is okay for keeping things clean, but it’s not going to blow you away. The water temp is sitting at 62°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – feels like a little gift from the sea. By the afternoon, the swell picks up to 7 feet from the WSW, still short period, but the wind picks up too, making things feel a bit messy.

Friday the 4th is one to skip. The swell jumps to 16 feet and 15 feet from the WNW with a 12-second period, so there’s serious energy here, but the wind is howling straight cross-shore, creating horrible lumpy, cross-chop. That’s not surfable; that’s a washing machine. For the vast majority of us, it’s a no-go. Unless you’re a tow-in expert, sit this one out.

Things settle down a little for Saturday the 5th. The morning sees 8 feet from the WNW, period 10 seconds, with a gentle cross-off from the SSW. It’s clean, but the energy is moderate. The real highlight of the day is Saturday afternoon: 7 feet from the WNW, period 9 seconds, and the wind swings to a clean offshore from the south at 15 mph. That’s your best bet for the weekend. It’s not huge, but the offshore wind will hold the waves up nicely. It could get a little busy, as this spot can see a crowd sometimes.

Sunday the 6th drops off quickly. Swell drops below 5 feet, and while the wind stays offshore, it’s a fresh breeze, making it a bit more work for the paddle. Not the best.

We then hit a rough patch. From Monday the 7th right through to Tuesday the 8th, and into Wednesday the 9th morning, conditions are poor. Onshore winds, lumpy seas, and messy swell. There’s a brief moment of calm on Wednesday afternoon the 9th – the wind goes glassy (NE, 3 mph), and the swell is a tiny 4 feet from the west, 7 seconds. It’s a quiet, clean session for a log or a mini-mal, but no real power behind it.

Thursday the 10th sees a return of some hope. The morning brings 6 feet from the west with an 11-second period, a nice groundswell, cross-off winds from the SSE. Energy is moderate. The afternoon is cleaner still with a moderate offshore from the south at 12 mph, offering 5 feet from the west. That’s a solid, clean afternoon session.

Friday the 11th is a write-off – messy cross-shore winds and weak swell.

Now, we’re looking further ahead. Saturday the 12th of September brings a bump in size again: 8 feet from the WNW with an 11-second period in the morning, and 8 feet in the afternoon. The energy is strong, but the wind is a problem – strong cross-shore in the morning, and onshore in the afternoon. Not ideal.

Sunday the 13th and Monday the 14th are poor with onshore and cross-onshore winds. Not worth the drive.

Now, the real standout in the whole forecast is Tuesday the 15th of September. The morning shows a massive 12 feet swell from the WNW with a very long 16-second period. The energy reading is huge. This is a serious groundswell, deep ocean energy. The wind is light from the north, so it’s clean. The only caveat is that a swell this long can feel a little straight at a beach or exposed reef, but Kilcummin Harbour, being a reef setup, should handle it nicely. This is for experts only – 12 feet is big and powerful. The afternoon holds similar size at 12 feet, 15-second period, though the wind turns cross-onshore from the northwest, so morning is the call. It’s a long way out, so keep an eye on it, but this is the one to circle on the calendar.

After that, Wednesday the 16th drops back to 8 feet, but the wind is cross-shore, making it lumpy. The rest of the week fades into small, weak surf with little energy and tiny waves (2 feet and 2 feet) by Friday the 18th. A long gap of quiet conditions to finish.

Best on offer: Saturday afternoon the 5th for a clean, fun session with offshore wind, and the big one – Tuesday morning the 15th of September – for a powerful, groundswell hit for the experienced crew.

Stay safe, keep your wetsuit zipped, and I’ll see you in the water.

Rusty.

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