Surf Forecasts:
Magheraroarty Strand surf forecast from 2 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 9s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 12s period, WNW swell with 7,169 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period with W 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 Wednesday (Sep 02) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m 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 Magheraroarty Strand in the next 16 days are 5.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 16ft (5.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Magheraroarty Strand over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here, checkin' in with the outlook for our stretch of coast. We've only got one spot on the radar for the next 16 days, so let's keep it real.
Right now, the waiting game is on. The first few days are a total write-off with small, weak, and messy conditions. It’s not until the end of the first week that things get interesting, but they get real interesting, real fast.
Magheraroarty Strand (point) is our only play. This place can be a bit of a tease – it’s inconsistent, so you have to pick your moments. Water temp is in the zone, about average for this time of year, so nothin' wild on that front.
The first real action kicks off on Friday the 4th, but it’s a monster. We're talking a solid 15ft to 16ft of WNW swell, with a moderate 12 to 13 second period, throwin' down some serious energy. That's big, gnarly territory, only for the experts. The wind is howlin' cross-shore though, makin' it a choppy, messy mess. Honestly, with that much wind and cross-chop, this looks more like a kite surfer's playground than a paddle surfer’s dream. Not a day for a solo surf.
The swell drops a bit, but stays heavy into Saturday the 5th. The morning has 8ft of WNW swell and the afternoon 7ft. The wind finally backs off to a manageable cross-off breeze, settin' up clean, rideable waves. This is the standout window for the whole outlook. Conditions are finally workin' together, but that 8ft morning swell is still pushin' the limits for beginners – it's a proper challenge. The afternoon is a touch smaller and cleaner, a better call for most of us. A solid, powerful groundswell with that period in the 9-10 second range. This is it.
After Saturday, it falls apart again. Sunday the 6th is tiny, Monday the 7th has a massive 10ft blast but the wind is cross and messy. The rest of the week is a blend of strong, messy swells with cross and cross-onshore winds, keepin' the quality poor. By the second week, into the 10th and 11th, we get a few small, marginal windows with clean-ish conditions, but the swell is inconsistent and weak. Not really worth the paddle.
So, to wrap it up: the next 16 days are a one-trick pony. The clear standout is Saturday the 5th, particularly the afternoon, with clean 7ft WNW swell at Magheraroarty Strand. All other days are either blown out, way too big and messy, or just plain flat. Don't hold your breath for the rest.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Tue night, near gales from the WSW by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Mon afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSE on Sat afternoon, near gales from the SW by Mon morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | |||||||||||||||
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 | NNW 8 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | W 10 | WNW 12 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | NNW 8 | N 7 | N 11 | W 16 | WSW 13 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | NW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
93 | 120 | 218 | 177 | 96 | 2216 | 6629 | 6914 | 3567 | 1394 | 766 | 44 | 4 | 2 | 121 | 0 | 1936 | 2423 | 1778 | 1184 | 3580 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 9:44AM3.03m | 10:04PM3.08m | 10:29AM2.85m | 10:54PM2.80m | 11:28AM2.65m | 00:06AM2.53m | 12:55PM2.52m | 1:51AM2.40m | 2:41PM2.60m | 3:30AM2.51m | 4:03PM2.88m | 4:38AM2.75m | 5:00PM3.21m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:45PM0.45m | 4:13AM0.56m | 4:34PM0.70m | 5:05AM0.82m | 5:40PM0.95m | 6:20AM1.05m | 7:19PM1.09m | 8:02AM1.10m | 9:07PM0.97m | 9:33AM0.91m | 10:23PM0.68m | 10:35AM0.63m | 11:17PM0.37m | ||||||||
6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | |
— | 8:23 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:08 | — | |
mm | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 2 | — | 1 | 3 |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 15 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | NNW 8 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 9 | — | — | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | W 9 | WSW 9 | N 10 | W 16 | — | — | NW 13 | — | NNW 11 | — |
93 | 120 | 218 | 177 | 96 | 29 | 14 | — | — | 1394 | 766 | 332 | 577 | 2 | 121 | — | — | 45 | — | 594 | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 7 | N 12 | W 16 | W 18 | WNW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | N 7 | N 11 | N 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
17 | 26 | 5 | 6 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | 85 | 44 | 4 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | W 16 | — | W 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
11 | 5 | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 2 | WSW 7 | WSW 6 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | W 10 | WNW 12 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | — | — | SE 3 | S 3 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 13 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | NW 12 |
1 | 117 | 225 | 220 | 382 | 2216 | 6629 | 6914 | 3567 | — | — | 1 | 5 | 815 | 1007 | 2248 | 1936 | 2423 | 1778 | 1184 | 3580 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 120 | 17 | 475 | 340 | 369 | 771 | 345 | 66 | 17 | 0 | 4 | 124 | 399 | 352 | 654 | 362 | 340 | 341 | 462 |
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.











