
Surf Forecasts:
Magheraroarty Strand surf forecast from 1 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 8s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 6 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 7s period, NW swell with 596 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 2 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 8s period with NW 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 Sunday (Aug 02) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Magheraroarty Strand in the next 16 days are 2.4m 7s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 06) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 6s period and expected on Friday (Aug 07) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Thu 6th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Magheraroarty Strand over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here, looking at the next 16 days for our local zone. It’s fair to say the start of the period is a proper struggle. We’ve got a long dry spell to get through before anything worth getting wet for shows up.
The first real sniff of action isn’t until Sunday morning, the 2nd of August. Magheraroarty Strand (point) will see a little 4ft NW swell pushing in with a 8-second period, and the wind will be a light cross-off from the ESE. The water is sitting at 60°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. The wave energy is moderate (248), but the swell is small and inconsistent here. Expect clean lines, but don’t expect much push. This is a beginner-friendly spot, but honestly, it’s marginal.
The next few days are a write-off. Monday and Tuesday stay small and choppy, with a messy cross-shore wind. The best of a bad bunch comes Tuesday afternoon, the 4th of August, when the wind goes glassy for a bit, but the swell is only 3ft with weak energy (89). You’d be doing it for the glide, not the thrill.
Then it gets angry. From Thursday the 6th of August through to the second week, the wind just howls. We see a jump in swell, but it’s all short-period, wind-affected junk. There’s a spike of 8ft NW on Thursday morning with a fresh cross-on breeze, energy hitting 500 (moderate), but the conditions are described as poor. For a point break that needs clean conditions, this is messy. It’s more of a kite-surfing show than a paddle session, to be honest.
The real standout, and the only one worth circling on the calendar, is the very last day of the forecast. Sunday, the 16th of August. The morning brings a solid 10ft WNW groundswell with a 10-second period, and the wind is a clean cross-off from the WSW. The combined energy is massive at 1974 (very strong). This is a proper, powerful swell. The file notes that the wind and tide are favorable, but the swell is predicted to be too big for this break. At over 8ft, this is expert territory only. For the average punter, this is a spectator day. The afternoon holds similar size (10ft) and a slightly longer 11-second period, but the wind picks up to a strong breeze. It’s a promising, big-wave day, but it’s a long way out, so keep your fingers crossed.
So, in short: it’s a long wait for the real deal. The first week is a washout with a few tiny windows, then we get a massive, expert-only pulse on the 16th. Don’t hold your breath for the in-between.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Tue afternoon, strong winds from the NW by Wed night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | N 9 | N 8 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NW 6 | NW 7 | N 7 | N 6 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
158 | 143 | 142 | 101 | 71 | 103 | 106 | 103 | 73 | 84 | 61 | 82 | 66 | 228 | 500 | 152 | 32 | 235 | 297 | 277 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:47PM3.39m | 9:01AM3.00m | 9:19PM3.32m | 9:35AM2.94m | 9:53PM3.21m | 10:13AM2.85m | 10:32PM3.06m | 10:57AM2.73m | 11:19PM2.87m | 11:53AM2.60m | 00:23AM2.68m | 1:09PM2.52m | 1:50AM2.57m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:55AM0.32m | 2:57PM0.30m | 3:28AM0.36m | 3:31PM0.40m | 4:04AM0.45m | 4:10PM0.54m | 4:45AM0.59m | 4:56PM0.73m | 5:36AM0.76m | 5:57PM0.91m | 6:44AM0.92m | 7:21PM1.02m | ||||||||
— | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | |
— | 9:37 | — | — | 9:35 | — | — | 9:32 | — | — | 9:30 | — | — | 9:29 | — | — | 9:27 | — | — | 9:24 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | 4 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | — | 3 | 2 | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 14 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
Feels °C | 9 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 10 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 7 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | N 8 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | — | N 7 | N 6 | N 5 | N 5 | W 15 |
26 | 143 | 142 | 84 | 71 | 103 | 106 | 103 | 73 | 84 | 61 | 82 | 66 | 44 | — | 152 | 32 | 8 | 4 | 4 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | NW 7 | WSW 9 | NW 6 | NW 6 | ENE 5 | ENE 4 | WNW 7 | W 10 | WNW 6 | — | — | W 10 | W 9 | N 5 | — | — |
9 | 83 | 106 | 101 | 54 | 34 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 13 | — | — | 17 | 16 | 8 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 10 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | NW 7 | SW 9 | SW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | ENE 4 | NE 4 | W 11 | — | — | — | NW 5 | — | — | — |
8 | 24 | 13 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 22 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 9 | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 | ENE 3 | NE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 6 | NW 7 | W 6 | W 5 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 8 |
158 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | 23 | — | — | — | — | — | 228 | 500 | 64 | 12 | 235 | 297 | 277 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 362 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 51 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 352 | 793 | 392 | 781 | 0 | 414 | 394 | 120 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Donegal | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Latest Updates
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.











