Surf Forecasts:
Lahinch Strand surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 15 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, WNW swell with 1,382 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 15 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period with W 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 15) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 8s. 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 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) 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 0.3m 2s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lahinch Strand over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s have a look at the whole picture for Lahinch. We’ve got a lot of flat and messy days ahead, so don't be in a rush.
The water is a touch warmer than usual for mid-August, around 63°F, so a slightly thinner suit will do.
The first real pulse of energy hits on Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 19th. The swell builds to a solid 8-10ft, with energy going through the roof (1267 on Wednesday morning). But it’s a complete mess. Strong cross-onshore winds will have it all chopped up and lumpy. Not for a surfboard. Kite surfers might get a kick out of it, but for us, it’s a no-go.
We get a small reprieve on Thursday the 20th morning. The swell drops to a cleaner 4-5ft with the wind turning cross-off. It’s surfable, but it’s still pretty ordinary and the tide might be awkward.
After that, the ocean just gives up. We’ve got days of tiny, weak waves. There are a few glassy moments, like early Sunday the 23rd and Thursday the 27th, where the wind drops right off, but the swell is only ankle to knee high. Not worth the hassle.
The one window to keep an eye on is Tuesday the 25th of August, about a week and a half out. It’s a proper groundswell, 5ft but with an 11-second period, and the energy is strong (583). It’s the biggest and most powerful swell of the entire run, but the wind is a light cross-shore, leaving the surface a bit bumpy. It won’t be perfect, but it’s the best we’ve got by a long shot.
So, if you’ve got a free morning next Tuesday the 25th, Lahinch Strand is your best bet. It’s a promise, not a guarantee, but it's the one to watch.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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) | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | WNW 7 | NW 7 | W 7 | W 8 | W 8 | WSW 4 | W 7 | W 8 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
66 | 149 | 72 | 37 | 21 | 13 | 152 | 161 | 100 | 55 | 183 | 317 | 790 | 785 | 1256 | 1314 | 506 | 287 | 160 | 69 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:15PM4.76m | 7:45AM4.43m | 7:55PM4.64m | 8:23AM4.30m | 8:34PM4.40m | 9:01AM4.10m | 9:13PM4.08m | 9:39AM3.84m | 9:54PM3.73m | 10:20AM3.57m | 10:40PM3.37m | 11:08AM3.30m | 11:39PM3.07m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:24AM-0.21m | 1:36PM0.19m | 2:02AM-0.04m | 2:14PM0.35m | 2:38AM0.24m | 2:52PM0.59m | 3:14AM0.59m | 3:31PM0.89m | 3:51AM0.98m | 4:14PM1.22m | 4:34AM1.36m | 5:10PM1.53m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | |
— | 9:07 | — | — | 9:05 | — | — | 9:02 | — | — | 9:00 | — | 8:58 | — | — | 8:55 | — | — | 8:53 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 14 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | WNW 7 | NW 7 | — | W 8 | W 8 | — | — | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 17 | — | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WSW 9 | W 9 |
66 | 149 | 72 | 37 | 21 | 13 | — | 161 | 100 | — | — | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | — | 506 | 287 | 28 | 40 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 7 | WSW 7 | — | NW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
— | — | 32 | 23 | 14 | 10 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | WSW 7 | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 11 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 4 | — | — | — | — | SW 4 | W 7 | — | — | WSW 4 | W 7 | W 8 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | WNW 10 | — | — | WNW 8 | WNW 8 |
10 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 152 | — | — | 55 | 183 | 317 | 790 | 785 | 1256 | 1314 | — | — | 160 | 69 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 98 | 98 | 0 | 630 | 77 | 92 | 91 | 92 | 84 | 150 | 674 | 87 | 405 | 561 | 680 | 606 | 676 | 489 | 377 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Clare | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.











