
Surf Forecasts:
Lahinch Strand surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 11s period, W swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 10s period, W swell with 54 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 11s 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Lahinch Strand in the next 16 days are 0.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lahinch Strand over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s be straight with you – we’ve got a long stretch ahead at Lahinch Strand (County Clare) and honestly, for the next week and a half or so, it’s going to be a struggle. The wave energy is staying weak, with readings mostly in the teens and thirties (combined energy 39 down to 9), and we’re looking at tiny swell heights that barely reach 2ft. The water is around average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there.
The outlook starts off quiet. Wednesday morning the 15th brings a little 1ft swell from the WSW at 9 seconds, and while the wind is a gentle cross-off from the east, the surf is just too small to get excited about. That theme continues right through the week and into the weekend. Thursday the 16th and Friday the 17th have offshore winds from the NE and NNE, keeping things clean, but with swell dropping to 1ft, it’s really just a paddle. Saturday the 18th sees a bit of a bump in the afternoon with a 2ft NW swell, but period drops to 4 seconds – that’s windswell, and with a moderate cross-shore wind, it’s messy.
There’s a slight flicker of hope on Monday the 20th. The morning shows a 1ft swell from the WNW with a 11-second period, which is a longer-period groundswell, and the combined energy ticks up to 41. The wind is light and cross-off, so it’ll be clean. But it’s still small – just surfable waves in very ordinary conditions. Not a standout, just a moment of relief.
From Tuesday the 21st, we slide back into tiny surf with offshore or cross-off winds, so the surface will look pretty, but you’ll be fighting for scraps. By Thursday the 24th, the afternoon brings a jump in swell to 4ft from the NW, but the period is a short 5 seconds and the wind is a moderate cross-onshore. That’s choppy, lumpy, and not what you want. The next few days into the 25th and 26th have stronger winds – fresh breezes and rain showers – with onshore and cross-onshore conditions, making it a write-off.
The real kicker is that we don’t see a true window of quality surf. The best on offer? Honestly, Monday morning the 20th is the pick of a very flat crop. Clean conditions, a bit of groundswell energy, but it’s small. If you’re desperate, that’s your moment. For the rest, the blank run stretches from now until the end of the month, with no real standout days. The swell energy is consistently weak, and the wind works against us more often than not.
If you’re a beginner, stay patient – nothing here is too big to handle, but it’s more about the lack of waves. For experts, there’s nothing to get your teeth into.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed afternoon, min 17°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 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) | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | NW 9 | W 8 | NW 4 | NW 5 | W 9 | W 9 | W 12 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
27 | 26 | 24 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 19 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 39 | 54 | 31 | 29 | 26 | 26 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | off | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 6:36AM4.33m | 6:50PM4.67m | 7:25AM4.38m | 7:37PM4.70m | 8:12AM4.32m | 8:22PM4.60m | 8:57AM4.18m | 9:07PM4.39m | 9:41AM3.99m | 9:52PM4.09m | 10:26AM3.77m | 10:39PM3.76m | 11:14AM3.55m | 11:30PM3.45m | |||||||
Low Tide | 12:31PM0.28m | 1:02AM-0.14m | 1:16PM0.27m | 1:48AM-0.13m | 2:00PM0.35m | 2:32AM0.01m | 2:44PM0.51m | 3:15AM0.25m | 3:29PM0.74m | 3:59AM0.57m | 4:16PM1.01m | 4:46AM0.92m | 5:10PM1.27m | ||||||||
5:28 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:55 | — | — | 9:54 | — | — | 9:52 | — | — | 9:52 | — | — | 9:51 | — | — | 9:50 | — | — | 9:47 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 26 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 23 | 21 |
Feels °C | 23 | 25 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 20 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 15 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 14 | 18 | 22 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | NW 9 | W 8 | W 8 | NW 5 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 |
27 | 26 | 24 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 19 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 39 | 54 | 31 | 29 | 26 | 26 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | — | NW 10 | WNW 10 | W 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | W 11 | NW 5 | SW 8 | W 8 | NW 5 | NW 5 | W 7 | — |
10 | 10 | 5 | 8 | 8 | — | 4 | 10 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | — | — | W 11 | — | SW 15 | NW 5 | NW 5 | NW 5 | — | W 10 | W 7 | W 11 | — | W 12 | — | — | W 7 | W 7 | — | — |
2 | — | — | 2 | — | 8 | 1 | 1 | 4 | — | 2 | 4 | 10 | — | 10 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 2 | — | ENE 2 | NE 2 | NNE 2 | NE 2 | NNE 2 | — | NE 2 | NNW 4 | NW 4 | NNE 3 | NE 3 | NW 6 | NE 3 | — | WNW 2 | NE 3 | NE 2 | — | NE 3 |
1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 2 | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 98 | 100 | 119 | 98 | 119 | 98 | 139 | 1474 | 104 | 85 | 545 | 226 | 53 | 154 | 53 | 0 | 98 | 85 | 53 | 119 | 119 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Clare | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Ireland | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










