Surf Forecasts:
Lahinch Strand surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 9s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 9s period, W swell with 1,039 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 9s 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 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m 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 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lahinch Strand over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, it’s Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for Lahinch over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – the first week is a write-off. We’re looking at a solid 7 to 8 days with nothing worth paddling out for. The wind is a mess, mostly howling onshore from the west and southwest, and the swell is all blown out and choppy. There’s a bit of size on the 18th and 19th, with waves around 5 ft to 8 ft from the west, but with a nasty cross-onshore wind, it’s just junk. Don’t even bother.
We start to see a glimmer of hope around Thursday the 20th. The wind swings around to the north, going clean and cross-offshore. The swell drops to about 4 ft to 5 ft from the west-northwest, with a period around 10 seconds. The combined energy is moderate (288 to 461). It’s described as marginal, but it’s the first clean conditions we’ll see. A small window for the patient ones.
Things then go flat and tiny for the next few days, with waves barely 1 ft high. The wind stays clean, but there’s no power behind it. The combined energy is weak (25 to 66). You’re just bobbing around.
Now, hold onto your leash, because the real standout is a long way off. Mark your calendars for Saturday the 29th of August. The forecast is sending a solid 10 ft swell from the west, with a period of 9 seconds. The combined energy is going to be huge (1271). The wind is from the southeast, giving us a moderate cross-shore. The report says it might be too big for this break, but for the experienced crew, this is *the* day. The following Monday, the 31st, also looks interesting with a 8 ft west-southwest swell and a similar cross-shore wind, but the energy is still high (853). Keep in mind these are a week and a half away, so don’t book the time off just yet, but it’s promising.
The very end of the forecast, around the 1st and 2nd of September, shows some real monsters. We’re talking 10 ft to 12 ft west swells with periods up to 11 seconds. The combined energy is off the charts (1584 to 2408). The wind is onshore or cross-shore, so it’ll be a battle, but if you’re a big-wave charger, it’s worth a look. These waves are strictly for experts only, as anything over 8 ft is a different beast.
Overall, the first week is a dud. The best bet is the 29th of August, with the 31st a close second. For the groms and beginners, there’s nothing in the whole 16 days that’s safe and clean. Let’s hope the long-range forecasts firm up.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon night, min 14°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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 | W 10 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WNW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | W 11 | WSW 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
291 | 461 | 789 | 1039 | 1024 | 830 | 452 | 280 | 123 | 37 | 26 | 31 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 661 | 712 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 9:39AM3.84m | 9:54PM3.73m | 10:20AM3.57m | 10:40PM3.37m | 11:08AM3.30m | 11:39PM3.07m | 12:12PM3.10m | 00:57AM2.90m | 1:36PM3.05m | 2:29AM2.93m | 2:58PM3.19m | 3:41AM3.13m | 3:57PM3.45m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:31PM0.89m | 3:51AM0.98m | 4:14PM1.22m | 4:34AM1.36m | 5:10PM1.53m | 5:37AM1.68m | 6:46PM1.73m | 7:27AM1.81m | 8:34PM1.66m | 8:57AM1.68m | 9:39PM1.41m | 9:52AM1.43m | 10:23PM1.12m | ||||||||
6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | |
— | 8:58 | — | — | 8:55 | — | — | 8:53 | — | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:50 | — | — | 8:47 | — | — | 8:45 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 17 | — | SW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | NW 4 | WSW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WSW 4 | W 11 | WSW 10 |
11 | 11 | 12 | — | 10 | 10 | 452 | 280 | 123 | 37 | 20 | 31 | 16 | 16 | 7 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 661 | 712 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | NW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WSW 9 | WNW 5 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WNW 7 | SW 14 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 8 | 8 | 25 | 26 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 15 | 3 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 8 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 14 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | NW 9 | WNW 8 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 8 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 14 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 9 | W 10 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | — | — | — | NNE 3 | NNW 4 | N 4 | NNE 3 | — | — | — | W 2 | — | SSE 3 | — | — |
291 | 461 | 789 | 1039 | 1024 | 830 | — | — | — | 2 | 8 | 9 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 3 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 325 | 606 | 87 | 300 | 300 | 194 | 335 | 176 | 152 | 341 | 166 | 98 | 53 | 152 | 53 | 119 | 302 | 84 | 91 | 151 | 184 |
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.











