
Surf Forecasts:
Lahinch Strand surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 8s period, NW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 11s period, W swell with 57 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 8s period with NW 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 (Jul 18) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 8s. 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 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore 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 (Jul 21) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lahinch Strand over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what Lahinch has cookin' for us over the next couple of weeks. I gotta be straight with you – it's a bit of a slow burn, so don't go expecting any hero waves just yet.
The whole 16-day window is a real test of patience. We're lookin' at a long, flat spell that kicks off now and runs all the way through the end of July. Seriously, for nearly two weeks, there's just nothing worth paddling out for. The swell is tiny and weak, mostly hovering around 1ft to 2ft with very low combined wave energy (mostly in the teens to 70s). It's a tough stretch, but this area can be like that – the ocean has to switch on eventually.
We finally get a pulse of energy coming through on the 27th of July, Monday morning. The wave height bumps up to 3ft from the WNW, and the combined energy jumps to 132 – that's moderate, a sign the ocean's waking up. But don't get too excited, because it's accompanied by a fresh 19 mph cross-onshore breeze, making it lumpy and messy. The following days, the 28th and 29th, see a bit more size with 4ft and 3ft, but the wind stays nasty, blowin' 19-25 mph from the WSW and W. That's a kite surfer's dream, but for a paddle surfer, it's a write-off.
The only real window that could turn into something decent is the very end of the run. On Friday the 31st of July, we finally see the wind swing around. Friday morning has a light 3 mph cross-offshore breeze from the East, keeping things clean with 2ft waves from the WNW. Then Friday afternoon gets even better: a light 3 mph offshore wind from the NE, with 2ft surf. The energy is weak [40], but clean, clean, clean. The water temp is about 62°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – a little bonus for your session.
The Best On Offer
Honestly, the standout, if you can call it that, is Friday the 31st of July and Saturday the 1st of August. The Friday afternoon session at Lahinch Strand is your best bet. You've got a super clean, offshore wind with that 2ft W swell. It's tiny, but it's clean and you'll have the place to yourself. The Saturday morning (1st August) is looking glassy with 1ft from the NW. It's a mellow, beginner-friendly size for that point break, and with the wind being light or glassy, the shape could be fun on the inside. Just be aware that even though it's small, crowds are often a factor here, so the lack of swell might keep the numbers down, which is a bonus.
So there you go. A two-week drought bookended by a couple of tiny, clean sessions. If you're after a gentle paddle and some silky waves, the last day of July and the first of August are your moments.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 8 | W 9 | NW 8 | W 8 | NW 5 | NW 7 | W 13 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
12 | 13 | 35 | 6 | 23 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 21 | 36 | 57 | 31 | 30 | 27 | 27 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | off | off | cross | off |
High Tide | 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 | 12:06PM3.36m | 00:30AM3.20m | 1:07PM3.25m | 1:40AM3.08m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 5:40AM1.24m | 6:19PM1.47m | 6:50AM1.47m | 7:42PM1.55m | ||||||||
5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:52 | — | — | 9:52 | — | — | 9:51 | — | — | 9:50 | — | — | 9:47 | — | — | 9:46 | — | — | 9:45 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 20 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 |
Feels °C | 17 | 17 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 19 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 9 | NW 8 | W 8 | W 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | W 8 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 |
12 | 13 | 35 | 5 | 4 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 21 | 36 | 57 | 31 | 30 | 27 | 27 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 5 | WNW 6 | W 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | W 7 | W 9 | W 12 | NW 5 | NW 5 | W 8 | NW 5 | NW 5 | W 6 | NW 5 | WNW 5 | — | NW 5 | NNW 5 | W 13 | NW 4 |
1 | 3 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 11 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 2 | — | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 10 | WNW 10 | — | WNW 5 | W 10 | W 9 | W 13 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | — | W 7 | W 7 | — | W 16 | — | — | — | — | — | W 12 |
4 | 10 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 2 | 5 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NE 3 | — | NW 5 | NE 3 | NE 3 | NW 6 | NE 2 | NE 3 | — | NE 3 | NNE 3 | WNW 2 | ENE 2 | — | WNW 4 | — | — | WNW 3 | — |
— | — | 2 | — | 23 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 1 | — | 9 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | 3 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 152 | 1396 | 0 | 85 | 545 | 53 | 53 | 139 | 53 | 53 | 0 | 53 | 53 | 280 | 53 | 194 | 568 | 53 | 290 | 259 | 139 |
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.










