Surf Forecasts:
Lahinch Strand surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 8s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, W swell with 694 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 10s period with WSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Lahinch Strand this week:
The surf forecast for Lahinch Strand 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 0.4m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Lahinch Strand in the next 16 days are 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lahinch Strand over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s in store for the next stretch.
Right off the bat, I’ve got to be straight with you – the next week or so is looking pretty flat and uninspiring. We’ve got a long, quiet gap stretching from now all the way through to the end of August. The swell is tiny, the periods are short, and the energy is just not there. Don’t even bother checking the charts until we get closer to the tail end of the month.
The one bright spot, and I mean the *only* one that’s got me raising an eyebrow, is Thursday morning, 27 August, at Lahinch Strand. That morning we’ve got a pulse of WNW swell pushing in at 6 ft with a 9-second period. The combined energy is a solid 408, which is proper moderate and will get things moving. What’s even better is the wind – a light NNW breeze at 12 mph, coming cross-off, which is going to leave the surface clean as a whistle. The water temperature is 63°, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year, so you might not even need a thick suit. The swell direction is bang on from the W, which is what the point wants to see. Keep in mind, though, at 6 ft this is getting a bit too much for beginners, but for the rest of you, this is your window. The crowds can be an issue here, so get in early.
After that, it’s back to the doldrums. The wind turns onshore and messy, the swell drops off, and we’re looking at a whole lot of nothing through the first week of September. There’s a tiny, long-period 15-second swell on the morning of Thursday, 3 September, but it’s only 0.3 ft – that’s not even a ripple. Honestly, the setup is so poor for so long that it’s more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing during those windy, choppy days.
So, to sum it up: if you want a wave, your only real shot is Thursday morning, 27 August. It’s a standout, but it’s a long way off, so keep an eye on the forecast. For everything else, it’s a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NW 7 | NW 6 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | W 8 | W 8 | WSW 9 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
60 | 47 | 31 | 26 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 7 | 16 | 138 | 131 | 194 | 109 | 102 | 66 | 42 | 86 | 463 | 408 | 324 | 222 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 12:12PM3.10m | 00:57AM2.90m | 1:36PM3.05m | 2:29AM2.93m | 2:58PM3.19m | 3:41AM3.13m | 3:57PM3.45m | 4:30AM3.38m | 4:40PM3.74m | 5:08AM3.64m | 5:16PM4.01m | 5:41AM3.87m | 5:49PM4.23m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:46PM1.73m | 7:27AM1.81m | 8:34PM1.66m | 8:57AM1.68m | 9:39PM1.41m | 9:52AM1.43m | 10:23PM1.12m | 10:32AM1.16m | 10:59PM0.81m | 11:06AM0.89m | 11:31PM0.53m | 11:38AM0.65m | 00:01AM0.30m | ||||||||
6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | |
— | 8:52 | — | — | 8:50 | — | — | 8:47 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:43 | — | — | 8:40 | — | — | 8:38 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 8 | 2 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 10 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | NW 6 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | W 8 | W 8 | WSW 9 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 12 | — | — | — | — |
26 | 25 | 18 | 26 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 5 | 16 | 138 | 131 | 194 | 109 | 102 | 66 | 42 | 3 | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 14 | SW 13 | WSW 10 | NW 6 | SW 15 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | SW 13 | W 13 | W 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
4 | 7 | 31 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 16 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 17 | W 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 10 | SW 15 | NW 9 | WNW 5 | SW 10 | SW 14 | SW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
5 | 5 | 10 | 9 | 2 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 7 | NW 6 | NE 3 | — | WNW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 3 | ESE 2 | S 6 | W 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 8 |
60 | 47 | 1 | — | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | 1 | 86 | 463 | 408 | 324 | 222 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 152 | 152 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 98 | 98 | 151 | 53 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 84 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 128 | 87 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Clare | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Ireland | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Lahinch Strand Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Lahinch Strand provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Lahinch Strand can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Lahinch Strand 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 (Lahinch Strand) 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 Lahinch Strand 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 Clare? If you are looking for accommodation near Lahinch Strand, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Clare, consider staying in Inis which is 26 km (16 miles) away. Other places in and around Clare where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Foynes which is 39 km (24 miles) away, Shannon, Galway and Limerick.











