
Surf Forecasts:
Magheraroarty Strand surf forecast from 31 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 9s period, N swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 5 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period, NNW swell with 196 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 2 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 9s period with N 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 1.0m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m 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 1.3m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 9s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 01) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Magheraroarty Strand over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, Rusty here. Let's break down what Magheroarty Strand is doing for the next couple of weeks.
It starts off pretty rough. The first few days are a total write-off with messy cross-shore winds and weak, short-period swell. The strong W wind just wrecks the place. Not worth thinking about.
The first real chance comes early Sunday morning, the 2nd of August. The wind swaps to the east and dies right down, leaving it glassy. We’re looking at waist-high waves, about 3ft, from the north with a nice 9-second period. The combined energy's moderate at 235, so there’s some grunt in it. This is a long-period groundswell, which can be a bit straight for a beach, but in the glass, it’ll be clean and perfect for a beginner. That’s the absolute standout session here.
That window slams shut by the afternoon. Sunday afternoon and most of the first week of August is back to onshore winds and tiny, weak surf. You get a bit of clean 2ft stuff on Monday the 3rd, but the energy’s low (92-105), so it’s a scratch-around.
Then it gets real quiet. The middle of the week is full of small, junk windswell and onshore slop. A real blank run into the second week with mostly tiny, weak waves and poor conditions.
There’s a pulse of something better in the second week. The morning of Tuesday the 11th of August looks interesting for the more experienced crowd. Swell pushes up to a solid 5ft from the northwest with a moderate 7-second period. The combined wave energy is strong at 289. The wind will be from the SSW, which is offshore, keeping the faces clean. That one’s for the boys who can handle a bit of size – not for beginners. It’s the only other decent window in the whole 16-day stretch, but it’s a week out, so don’t book your flights yet. After that, it’s back to small and wind-affected for the rest of August.
For Magheraroarty Strand, it’s a waiting game. You gotta pick your moment. When it’s good, it’s a beautiful summer point for learning. When it’s not, it’s a blowy, flat lake.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (calm on Tue morning, fresh winds from the NNW by Wed morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | |||||||||||||||
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 7 | W 7 | W 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | N 9 | NW 8 | N 9 | N 8 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | N 6 | N 5 | W 10 | W 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
131 | 107 | 100 | 160 | 153 | 111 | 122 | 103 | 71 | 96 | 108 | 108 | 159 | 150 | 196 | 172 | 163 | 148 | 27 | 17 | 16 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 8:15PM3.40m | 8:28AM3.03m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:53PM0.26m | 2:23AM0.32m | 2:24PM0.25m | 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 | ||||||||
5:37 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:38 | — | — | 9:37 | — | — | 9:35 | — | — | 9:32 | — | — | 9:30 | — | — | 9:29 | — | — | 9:27 | |
mm | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
Feels °C | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | WNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | N 8 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | W 11 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | W 11 | W 10 | N 5 | NNE 5 | W 10 |
55 | 42 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 111 | 122 | 88 | 71 | 96 | 108 | 108 | 159 | 2 | 196 | 172 | 9 | 18 | 27 | 7 | 16 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | W 11 | W 10 | — | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | NW 7 | WSW 10 | SW 9 | WSW 9 | SW 8 | SW 8 | W 10 | W 10 | W 11 | — | NW 5 | NW 5 | NNE 4 |
3 | 2 | 8 | — | 8 | 110 | 108 | 103 | 44 | 38 | 23 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 9 | — | 10 | 4 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 6 | W 9 | — | SW 7 | — | — | — | W 10 | W 10 | NW 5 |
— | — | — | — | — | 24 | 13 | 19 | 37 | 17 | 7 | 6 | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | — | 17 | 17 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — | — | NE 2 | NE 4 | E 3 | ENE 4 | NE 4 | — | N 9 | — | — | NNW 7 | N 6 | — | — | — |
131 | 107 | 100 | 160 | 153 | — | — | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 13 | — | 150 | — | — | 163 | 148 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 36 | 492 | 66 | 362 | 362 | 0 | 0 | 51 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 396 | 251 | 251 | 341 | 98 | 312 | 367 |
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.











