
Surf Forecasts:
Magheraroarty Strand surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, WNW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, WNW swell with 1,768 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 25 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s 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 (Jul 25) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 10s period. 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 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) 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 1.4m 8s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Sat 25th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Magheraroarty Strand over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down the outlook for Magheraroarty Strand. This is a finicky little point break, exposed to the north-northwest, and it’s known for being inconsistent. It’s a beginner-friendly wave, but only when it’s cooperating. The water is 60°, which is a touch warmer than average for this time of year.
The next week and a half is a bit of a rollercoaster, with a lot of so-so conditions, but there are a few moments that get the blood pumping.
We kick off on Thursday the 23rd with a weak, small 3ft swell from the NNW, period of 6 seconds, and the energy is a measly 71. Winds are cross, and it’s a total dud – poor surf. Friday the 24th sees a jump to 6ft from the WNW, with a 9-second period and moderate energy (477). The wind is cross-off, so it’s clean, but the conditions are still rated as poor.
Now, Saturday the 25th is the wild card. The swell is pumping, 10ft from the WNW with a 10-second period. The energy is huge at 1559, which is strong. But here’s the catch – this is a beginner spot, and 10ft is too big for most, really only for experts. The wind is cross, and the surf is predicted to be too big for this break. Same story for Saturday afternoon with 8ft, and Sunday the 26th with 8ft. Lots of power, but wrong spot for it.
The standout, the best on offer, is Tuesday the 28th. Tuesday morning we get a 5ft swell from the west, a 9-second period, and moderate energy at 441. The wind is offshore from the south at 9 mph, which is a massive plus. The report says "expect good surf conditions" – that’s the clean, glassy stuff we dream about. Tuesday afternoon drops to 5ft and the wind goes cross-off, still decent but not as perfect.
After that, it fizzles out. Wednesday the 29th is tiny, 1.0ft, and the rest of the week through the 7th of August is mostly small, weak, and messy. There’s a long gap of several days with no real reason to paddle out. The energy is low, wind is often cross or onshore, and the wave heights are under 5ft. The best of a bad bunch is Monday the 3rd of August, with 3ft from the NW and glassy conditions in the afternoon, but it’s only "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions."
So, the bottom line: if you’re an expert looking for a big, powerful session, Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th have the juice, but it’s not the ideal break for it. For the average surfer, your best bet is Tuesday morning the 28th – clean, offshore wind, and a solid 5ft groundswell. Get on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 13°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Thu morning, strong winds from the WSW by Fri night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Mon morning, light winds from the S by Tue morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NNW 6 | NW 6 | WNW 11 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | N 8 | W 8 | W 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
49 | 45 | 176 | 477 | 437 | 619 | 1559 | 1567 | 1168 | 1376 | 1434 | 1003 | 739 | 753 | 499 | 380 | 343 | 299 | 12 | 219 | 137 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 2:10PM2.39m | 2:43AM2.37m | 3:27PM2.44m | 3:58AM2.40m | 4:32PM2.58m | 4:56AM2.52m | 5:21PM2.76m | 5:41AM2.66m | 6:02PM2.94m | 6:18AM2.80m | 6:38PM3.11m | 6:52AM2.91m | 7:12PM3.26m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:22PM1.20m | 8:57AM1.16m | 9:40PM1.18m | 10:03AM1.10m | 10:42PM1.06m | 10:56AM0.96m | 11:30PM0.90m | 11:39AM0.78m | 00:10AM0.73m | 12:16PM0.60m | 00:46AM0.58m | 12:50PM0.45m | 1:20AM0.46m | ||||||||
5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:52 | — | — | 9:51 | — | — | 9:49 | — | — | 9:46 | — | — | 9:45 | — | — | 9:44 | — | — | 9:42 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 6 | W 8 | WNW 11 | — | — | — | — | WNW 10 | — | — | N 9 | N 11 | N 11 | N 11 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | N 8 | N 8 |
49 | 21 | 176 | — | — | — | — | 1567 | — | — | 15 | 257 | 279 | 181 | 499 | 380 | 343 | 299 | 270 | 12 | 12 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | — | NW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | — | — |
22 | — | 90 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 96 | 61 | 43 | 24 | 12 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 6 | NW 7 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WNW 10 | — | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 10 | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | W 8 |
— | 45 | 100 | 477 | 437 | 619 | 1559 | — | 1168 | 1376 | 1434 | 1003 | 739 | 753 | — | — | — | — | — | 219 | 137 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 58 | 1295 | 17 | 372 | 1216 | 362 | 345 | 345 | 66 | 184 | 1216 | 433 | 35 | 35 | 17 | 0 | 84 | 0 | 3 | 23 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Donegal | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Ireland | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










