Surf Forecasts:
Magheraroarty Strand surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 10s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 10s period, W swell with 1,024 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 10s period with W 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 17s. 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 2.3m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 10s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Magheraroarty Strand over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on the menu for Magheraroarty Strand.
We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag ahead. The first week is pretty grim, with a lot of onshore wind and junk surf, but there’s a real gem hiding in the middle of the forecast period. After that, it gets wild again, but you’ll have to wait.
Wednesday, August 19th kicks things off with a pulse of swell, but it’s not the day. The morning has a 7ft west swell at 10 seconds, which is a lot of juice for this spot, and the wind is a cross-offshore from the WSW. The wave energy is moderate (940). The size makes it a bit much for a beginner spot, but the wind keeps it clean. The afternoon drops to 6ft, but the wind goes cross-shore, making it less enticing. The rest of the week is a write-off. From Thursday the 20th right through to Sunday the 23rd, it’s onshore slop with building northerlies, dropping wave heights, and tiny periods. The water temperature is about average for this time of year. Honestly, it’s a complete blank run of about 5 days with nothing worth paddling for.
The standout is Monday, August 24th. This is the one to mark on the calendar. We’ve got a nice 7ft groundswell from the WNW with a long 11-second period, and the wind is light and offshore from the SSW in the morning. The wave energy is strong (891). This is a classic setup for a point break like this—clean faces, proper lines, and that long period means the sets will have some real push. The conditions are expected to be very good. Get out there early. The afternoon holds up at 6ft from the west with a cross-offshore breeze, still clean. This is by far the best surf on offer, hands down. After that, Tuesday the 25th drops to tiny 1ft leftovers, and we’re back to small, weak surf for the rest of the week.
Looking further ahead, Sunday, August 30th is a monster. The forecast shows a massive 10ft west swell with a 12-second period, and the combined wave energy is very strong (2180). It’s going to be huge. But here’s the catch: the wind is cross-shore, and the swell is simply too big for this break. The tide and wind conditions might be favorable, but the size means it’s only for the most experienced, and even then, it’s a serious beast. The Monday, August 31st, is also too big at 7ft with the wind turning onshore. After that, it drops off into the first week of September with small, clean, but weak surf.
So, the call is clear: Monday, August 24th is your best bet. Get on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Wed morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Wed afternoon, fresh winds from the NNE by Thu morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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 10 | W 10 | W 10 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 5 | N 5 | WNW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | NW 11 | NW 11 | WNW 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
928 | 683 | 480 | 564 | 429 | 328 | 151 | 150 | 62 | 33 | 24 | 31 | 26 | 61 | 102 | 887 | 740 | 694 | 33 | 55 | 54 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:00AM2.67m | 11:23PM2.58m | 11:51AM2.46m | 00:22AM2.31m | 1:08PM2.31m | 1:58AM2.17m | 2:55PM2.31m | 3:39AM2.23m | 4:15PM2.49m | 4:41AM2.41m | 5:05PM2.72m | 5:23AM2.61m | 5:42PM2.96m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:47AM0.78m | 5:05PM0.91m | 5:32AM1.05m | 6:04PM1.19m | 6:36AM1.27m | 7:35PM1.36m | 8:14AM1.35m | 9:22PM1.32m | 9:43AM1.24m | 10:31PM1.14m | 10:40AM1.02m | 11:16PM0.92m | 11:20AM0.78m | 11:52PM0.69m | |||||||
6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | |
— | 8:58 | — | — | 8:55 | — | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:51 | — | — | 8:47 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:44 | — | |
mm | 5 | — | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 15 |
Feels °C | 11 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 17 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 |
6 | 683 | 480 | 186 | 108 | 69 | 21 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 24 | 31 | 26 | 61 | 102 | 887 | 740 | 694 | 523 | 227 | 106 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 17 | W 17 | W 16 | W 16 | W 16 | W 15 | WSW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WNW 9 | WSW 8 | NW 10 | W 14 | W 14 | N 10 | NW 11 | NW 11 | WNW 9 |
6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 16 | 11 | 5 | 25 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 61 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 33 | 55 | 54 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 7 | W 16 | — | — | — | W 14 | W 17 | W 16 | N 9 | N 9 | WNW 9 | WSW 9 | W 16 | WSW 8 | — | — | — | N 10 | N 10 | ENE 6 |
— | 1 | 5 | — | — | — | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 15 | 5 | 14 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 8 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | — | N 4 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 5 | N 5 | N 5 | — | — | — | — | S 3 | — | SSE 2 | SE 3 | S 4 | SSE 4 |
928 | — | 18 | 564 | 429 | 328 | 151 | 150 | 62 | 33 | 13 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 9 | 36 | 13 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 87 | 4 | 133 | 449 | 341 | 361 | 352 | 348 | 259 | 259 | 341 | 4 | 58 | 58 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
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.











