
Surf Forecasts:
Magheraroarty Strand surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 11 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 8s period, N swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period, WNW swell with 361 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 8s period with N swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Magheraroarty Strand this week:
The surf forecast for Magheraroarty Strand over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 8s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Magheraroarty Strand in the next 16 days are 1.7m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 10s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1PM (Tue 11th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Tue 11th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Magheraroarty Strand over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright lads, Rusty here, looking at the only break that's got any pulse in the region for the next couple weeks. We’ve got one spot, so let’s be honest.
Magheraroarty Strand is an inconsistent point break that’s wide open to the north-northwest. Water temp is running about 60°, which is a touch above normal for this time of the season – not bad. The pattern is a slow start, then a big, dangerous pulse at the end that’s only for the hardcore.
First week is a total dud for proper surfing. Tuesday starts small and clean with a weak 2ft from the north, but there’s barely any energy (107) and it’s poor surf. That same story runs through Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday with tiny, gutless waves. Friday the 14th gets a bump to 4ft from the west, but the wind is howling cross-shore with a short 9-second period (224). It’s a messy, choppy mess. Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th are more of the same – windy, cross-shore junk in the 3ft to 5ft range. Not worth the drive.
Monday the 17th offers a glimmer of something ridable – 3ft from the west with light cross-off winds (127). Conditions are clean, but “surfable but very ordinary” says it all. A couple of close-outs for the kids, maybe.
Then it goes dead again on Tuesday and Wednesday of the second week with microscopic swell and strong offshore wind – glassy surface but nothing to ride.
Now here’s the real show. On Thursday the 20th of August, we see the swell start building. By Friday the 21st of August, the forecast blows up with a heavy 8ft from the west-northwest at 11 seconds. The combined energy is huge at 1379. The wind is screaming offshore from the south at 28 mph, so the face will be glassy clean. But listen – at 8ft and climbing, this is expert-only territory. The forecast is blunt: too big for this break. This isn't for beginners; it’s a challenging, powerful groundswell that will be relentless. Saturday the 22nd stays big but gets wrecked by strong west-northwest cross-shore winds, turning it into a washing machine. That is the one standout event in the whole window, and unless you’re a charger on a big gun, it’s just a spectacle.
Overall, the northwest coast of Ireland is facing a long, flat spell until that big blow-up on the 21st. For the average surfer, there’s nothing to get excited about for the next week. If you’re an expert, pencil in Friday the 21st for a dawn session at Magheraroarty Strand, but be ready for a heavy one. Those windy, cross-shore days in the middle of the period honestly look more fun for a kite than a paddle surf.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 22°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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) | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | WSW 10 | N 11 | W 9 | W 6 | W 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | N 8 | W 8 | N 7 | N 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
73 | 33 | 20 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 214 | 170 | 349 | 314 | 257 | 157 | 99 | 53 | 45 | 105 | 9 | 4 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:59PM3.44m | 6:25AM3.20m | 6:45PM3.69m | 7:09AM3.31m | 7:28PM3.83m | 7:49AM3.35m | 8:08PM3.84m | 8:28AM3.31m | 8:47PM3.72m | 9:05AM3.21m | 9:24PM3.50m | 9:42AM3.06m | 10:01PM3.21m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:35AM0.37m | 00:12AM0.17m | 12:21PM0.14m | 00:58AM-0.02m | 1:04PM-0.03m | 1:40AM-0.11m | 1:44PM-0.09m | 2:19AM-0.08m | 2:23PM-0.04m | 2:57AM0.04m | 3:01PM0.10m | 3:33AM0.24m | 3:40PM0.33m | ||||||||
5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:14 | — | — | 9:12 | — | — | 9:08 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:05 | — | — | 9:02 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 13 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 17 |
Feels °C | 16 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 9 | N 8 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | W 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | N 11 | N 10 | N 10 | N 9 | N 10 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | N 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 |
73 | 33 | 251 | 214 | 210 | 291 | 306 | 288 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 257 | 157 | 99 | 53 | 45 | 105 | 60 | 40 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | W 7 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | — | N 11 | N 10 | — | — | — | N 9 | N 10 | N 9 | N 8 | W 9 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 |
15 | 8 | 20 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 6 | 17 | 59 | 52 | 43 | 17 | 9 | 4 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | WSW 7 | NNW 6 | NW 6 | ENE 3 |
19 | 7 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 26 | 4 | 1 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 3 | S 3 | SSE 2 | SSE 3 | — | — | — | — | W 9 | W 9 | W 6 | W 8 | WNW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 | ENE 3 | — |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 207 | 214 | 170 | 349 | 314 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 23 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 133 | 414 | 409 | 456 | 449 | 362 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Donegal | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Ireland | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Magheraroarty Strand Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Magheraroarty Strand provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Magheraroarty Strand can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Magheraroarty 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 (Magheraroarty 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 Magheraroarty 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.
Magheroarty Strand is 35 km (22 miles) from the city of Letterkenny. If you plan a holiday in Donegal, look for hotels and other accommodation in Letterkenny. Letterkenny has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











