Magheraroarty Strand Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s have a look at what’s on offer. I’m Rusty, and I’m calling it straight from the charts.

First off, the water temps at Magheraroarty Strand are a solid 62° – that’s much warmer than normal for this time of year, so you’ll be fine in a spring suit or maybe even a shorty if you’re tough enough.

Now, the bad news first. There’s a long, painful gap right at the start. From Saturday the 18th through to Thursday the 23rd of July, it’s just ugly. Every session is marked as poor surf conditions. The wind is onshore, mostly from the N or NNW, the swell is small and weak – we’re looking at 2 ft to 4 ft with short periods around 6 seconds. The combined energy is barely a whisper, under 150 most of the time. It’s messy, it’s weak, and it’s not worth paddling out for. Save your energy.

The first real flicker of hope comes on Friday morning, the 24th of July. The swell picks up to 6 ft from the WNW, with a period of 9 seconds, and the wind is cross-offshore from the WSW. That’s clean. The combined energy jumps to 446 (moderate). It’s still a bit of a gamble, but for a point break, that’s a decent option. The afternoon gets even bigger – 7 ft from the W, period 8 seconds, and the wind stays cross-off. Clean conditions, but at 7 ft, it’s getting into expert territory. The combined energy is 597 (moderate). This is the best of the first week, but it’s only for the experienced crew.

Then we hit a real run of strong swell. From Saturday the 25th through to Wednesday the 29th, the swell is pumping hard. Heights are consistently 7 ft to 10 ft, with periods of 9 to 10 seconds, all from the WNW or W. The wind is mostly cross-offshore, keeping the surface clean. The combined energy is massive – 906, 963, 1035, even 1362. That’s very strong wave energy. But here’s the kicker: the guidance says this is just too big for Magheraroarty Strand. It’s a point break, and when it’s this big, it’s going to be a washing machine. The scores are good, but the wave comment says “too big for this break.” So unless you’re a proper charger, stay on the sand.

The standout, if you ask me, is the 24th of July. Friday morning and afternoon. Clean cross-offshore wind, solid 6 ft to 7 ft WNW swell, moderate energy. It’s the sweet spot before it gets mental. The crowd potential is “never” here, so you’ll have it quiet.

After that, the swell hangs around big into the end of July and the start of August. Thursday the 30th of July is massive – 12 ft from the WNW, period 10 to 11 seconds, combined energy 2407 and 2770. That’s very strong, but again, too big for the break. It’s only for experts, and even then, it’s a bit of a beast.

The final days of the forecast, August 1st and 2nd, show things easing. Saturday the 1st has 5 ft from the W, period 9 seconds, but the wind is cross-on and the conditions are marginal. Sunday the 2nd looks better: 5 ft from the W, period 8 seconds, and the wind goes glassy in the morning. That’s a treat. The combined energy is 292 (moderate). It’s a small, clean, glassy day. Perfect for beginners or a relaxed session.

So, overall: a rough start, a clean window on the 24th of July for the brave, then a long stretch of too-big swell, and a final nice little glassy day on the 2nd of August. The best bet is the 24th of July, but watch the size.

Rusty.

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