
Surf Forecasts:
Magheraroarty Strand surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, WNW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 13s period, WNW swell with 9,218 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period with WNW 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 Saturday (Sep 05) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Magheraroarty Strand in the next 16 days are 5.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 11s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 18ft (5.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Magheraroarty Strand over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Magheraroarty Strand. It’s a point break up here, exposed to the north-northwest, and it’s a proper inconsistent spot—doesn’t fire all that often, so when it does, you’ve got to pay attention. The water right now is sitting at 61°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, nothing too wild.
The first bit of the run is a bit of a non-starter to be honest. The swell is there, but it’s way too big for this break on Friday afternoon, with a solid 15ft swell from the west and a 31 mph cross-shore wind making a proper mess of it. The combined wave energy is massive (5167), but it’s all just a washed-out, blown-out mess. No good for a paddle.
You’ve got to hold out for Saturday morning, the 5th of September. That’s the standout. The swell drops to a more manageable 8ft from the west-northwest, with a 10-second period, and the wind swings to a cross-offshore breeze at 16 mph. It’s clean, and the combined energy is still hefty (1292), but it’s actually surfable. This is a big, powerful wave for a point break, and with the wind cleaning it up, it’ll be a proper session for anyone who knows what they’re doing. Saturday afternoon keeps the same vibe, with a 7ft swell and the wind holding cross-offshore. It’s the best on offer, no question.
Then things get a bit messy. Sunday morning the 6th sees a tiny 1ft swell with a strong offshore wind that’s going to be a nightmare to paddle into. The energy is almost nothing (46). That pattern carries on through the middle of the week—big swells keep rolling in, but the wind is either cross, cross-on, or just too strong. Monday and Tuesday see 7ft to 18ft swells, but with 31 mph winds from the west and southwest, it’s all just a blown-out, dangerous mess. The combined energy hits 8312 on Tuesday morning, which is enormous, but it’s not for surfing.
There’s a gap of a few days where the conditions are poor or marginal. You get a little window on Sunday the 13th of September, with a 5ft swell from the west-northwest and a light cross-offshore wind. The combined energy is moderate (378), and it’s clean. It’s not a standout, but it’s a nice, quiet session if you’re patient. The best of the second week comes on Friday the 18th of September, with a 4ft swell from the west-northwest, a light offshore breeze from the south-southeast, and clean conditions. Combined energy is low (259), but it’s a proper little groundswell—8-second period—that’ll peel nicely on the point. The afternoon holds up with a 4ft swell and a cross-offshore wind. It’s not huge, but it’s clean and fun.
So, overall, the standout is Saturday the 5th of September—big, clean, and powerful. The second week’s best is Friday the 18th for a smaller, cleaner, more relaxed session. The rest is either blown out or too big to handle.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSE on Sat afternoon, near gales from the SW by Mon morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the WSW on Mon night, light winds from the S by Wed night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | N 10 | W 13 | W 11 | W 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | NW 11 | NW 9 | NNW 8 | W 8 | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
5161 | 3371 | 1152 | 811 | 257 | 23 | 12 | 2 | 1592 | 0 | 7160 | 8312 | 6662 | 3633 | 1433 | 385 | 187 | 14 | 8 | 3 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 00:06AM2.53m | 12:55PM2.52m | 1:51AM2.40m | 2:41PM2.60m | 3:30AM2.51m | 4:03PM2.88m | 4:38AM2.75m | 5:00PM3.21m | 5:29AM2.99m | 5:47PM3.50m | 6:11AM3.19m | 6:28PM3.70m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 11:24AM0.34m | 00:01AM0.11m | 12:05PM0.11m | 00:39AM-0.05m | |||||||
— | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | |
8:19 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:02 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 4 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 5 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 9 | — | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | N 10 | W 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 8 | W 8 | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 |
6 | — | 1152 | 811 | 257 | 23 | 6 | 2 | 1592 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 385 | 187 | 14 | 7 | 3 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNW 8 | — | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | N 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 | N 7 | W 11 | NNW 6 | — |
— | — | 140 | — | 76 | 23 | 12 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 304 | 70 | 10 | 8 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 8 | W 11 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | 10 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | WNW 12 | — | — | SE 3 | SW 8 | SW 9 | WSW 10 | WSW 13 | W 11 | W 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | NW 11 | NW 9 | — | — | WSW 8 | W 8 | W 10 |
5161 | 3371 | — | — | 3 | 355 | 668 | 1100 | 2499 | 2884 | 7160 | 8312 | 6662 | 3633 | 1433 | — | — | 240 | 217 | 422 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 781 | 345 | 118 | 36 | 3 | 444 | 444 | 120 | 111 | 781 | 369 | 654 | 891 | 924 | 340 | 118 | 0 | 36 | 345 | 369 |
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.










