Lahinch Strand Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s shaking out for Lahinch over the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, to start, it’s slim pickings. We’ve got a long stretch of poor surf conditions ahead, with a few glimmers of hope buried in the second week. The water is sitting at 63°, which is about a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so that’s a small comfort.

Monday the 24th of August is the first chance to get wet. The morning is actually surfable with a small 3ft swell from the WNW, 11-second period, so there’s a bit of push. The combined energy is moderate (162). The wind is ESE at 6 mph, which is cross-offshore, keeping the surface clean. It’s not a standout, but it’s a start. The afternoon kicks up a notch to 3ft from the W, still 11 seconds, and the energy bumps up to 245. The wind stays light and cross-off from the SE, so conditions are clean. The wave comment says it’s "expect good surf conditions," and this is easily the best looking session in the first week. It’s a beginner-friendly wave size, but the crowds at Lahinch are often around, so expect company.

Tuesday the 25th through the rest of the week falls off hard. Swell drops, winds get messy, and we’re looking at a string of poor surf conditions. The 27th of August has a brief moment on Thursday afternoon with a glassy 2ft from the W, but it’s weak energy (59) and the waves are just ordinary. Not worth paddling out for.

The real story is Sunday the 6th of September. That morning, we’ve got a huge 12ft swell from the W, 10-second period, and the combined energy is a massive 2702. That’s strong to very strong wave energy. Now, here’s the catch for Lahinch Strand – at that size, it’s predicted to be too big for this break. This is expert-only territory, if it’s even rideable. The wind is light from the E at 6 mph, cross-offshore, so the surface would be clean. The afternoon holds at 10ft, still clean with a light ESE breeze. If you’re a seasoned charger and the tides line up, this could be a beast of a day, but it’s not for the faint of heart.

The only other nod goes to Monday the 7th of September, but it’s a mixed bag. The morning has a 4ft W swell with moderate energy (593), but the wind is a moderate cross-shore from the SSE, making things choppy. The afternoon has a tiny 2ft swell but a bizarre 21-second period, which is very long-period groundswell. That kind of period can make beach breaks close out, but Lahinch is a point break, so it might actually hold shape. Still, the energy is moderate (732) and the wind is light cross-shore, so it’s marginal.

Best bet? If you’re a beginner or intermediate, Monday the 24th of August afternoon is your window. For the experts, keep your eye on Sunday the 6th of September, but be ready for a serious session.

Rusty.

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