Surf Forecasts:
Magheraroarty Strand surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s period, W swell with 609 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 9s 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 5s. 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 2.2m 8s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) 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 2.2m 8s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Magheraroarty Strand over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break down what’s rollin’ into Magheraroarty Strand.
Right now, things are dead flat. The first half-decent chance to get wet doesn’t show up until Thursday the 27th of August. Wednesday the 26th is a no-go – tiny 3ft swell from the ENE with a short 5-second period and cross wind making a mess.
Thursday morning the 27th is where we get a pulse. Swell around 3ft from the WNW, period jumping to 9 seconds – that’s got some real groundswell feel. Winds are light and cross-offshore, so it’ll be clean. Wave energy is moderate at 115. It’s not pumping, but for a beginner-friendly point that’s inconsistent, it’s a solid little session. Water temp is about normal for this time of year, nothing wild.
Friday and Saturday are duds. Swell stays tiny, winds are onshore or cross-onshore, and periods are short and weak. Leave the board at home.
Sunday the 30th of August morning is better: 4ft swell from the NNW, 8-second period, light cross-offshore wind keeping it clean. Energy’s moderate at 155. Afternoon gets a bit lumpy though.
Now, the real standout is Saturday the 5th of September. That morning we’ve got a clean 7ft swell from the WNW with a 10-second period – that’s proper groundswell with strong energy at 868. Winds are light and cross-shore. But here’s the thing: at over 7ft, this is expert-only territory, and the direction isn’t quite the ideal NNW for this spot, so it might not line up perfectly. Still, for the experienced crew, that’s the best window in the whole 16-day run. It’s a week and a half out, so don’t lock it in just yet.
Monday the 7th of September goes full beast mode – 16ft from the WNW, energy at a massive 6067. But with near gale-force winds, it’s unsurfable. That’s kite-surfing weather, not paddle.
The rest of the forecast is mostly small or blown out. Wednesday the 9th of September afternoon might give you a clean 4ft swell from the west with offshore wind and moderate energy at 287. It’s okay, not a standout.
So to sum it up: if you’re an expert, aim for Saturday the 5th of September morning. For everyone else, Thursday the 27th of August morning is your best bet for a clean, manageable wave at this inconsistent break. Might have to wait for the sets, but the conditions will treat you right.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Sat morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | W 10 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 8 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | W 8 | W 10 | W 10 | N 7 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
30 | 17 | 90 | 108 | 76 | 33 | 19 | 17 | 33 | 46 | 55 | 134 | 155 | 155 | 143 | 333 | 262 | 8 | 381 | 271 | 199 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:57AM2.80m | 6:15PM3.18m | 6:29AM2.96m | 6:45PM3.36m | 6:59AM3.10m | 7:15PM3.49m | 7:30AM3.19m | 7:45PM3.56m | 8:00AM3.24m | 8:16PM3.55m | 8:32AM3.23m | 8:48PM3.46m | 9:06AM3.16m | 9:23PM3.30m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:54AM0.55m | 00:24AM0.47m | 12:25PM0.35m | 00:54AM0.29m | 12:55PM0.20m | 1:23AM0.16m | 1:26PM0.11m | 1:53AM0.09m | 1:57PM0.09m | 2:23AM0.10m | 2:30PM0.14m | 2:56AM0.18m | 3:05PM0.26m | 3:32AM0.34m | |||||||
6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | |
— | 8:40 | — | — | 8:38 | — | — | 8:36 | — | — | 8:34 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:25 | — | |
mm | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 5 | 6 | 4 | — | — | 5 | 3 | — | 2 | 1 | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 16 |
Feels °C | 13 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 8 | W 10 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | NNW 6 | W 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | W 8 | NNW 6 | W 8 |
32 | 29 | 90 | 108 | 76 | 33 | 19 | 10 | 33 | 4 | 55 | 134 | 155 | 155 | 94 | 39 | 24 | 8 | 381 | 31 | 199 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | WNW 11 | NW 7 | NNE 5 | N 8 | N 8 | NE 4 | NW 8 | WNW 7 | W 11 | W 7 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | W 9 | W 11 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | — | W 18 | N 6 |
5 | 12 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 66 | 94 | 78 | 21 | 38 | 15 | 1 | — | 6 | 15 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 7 | NW 7 | ENE 4 | N 12 | N 11 | NW 8 | N 6 | — | — | W 10 | — | — | W 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 7 |
— | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | NE 4 | — | NE 4 | NNE 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | — | NNW 6 | — | — | — | — | W 8 | W 10 | W 10 | WSW 8 | NNW 6 | W 8 | — |
30 | 17 | 10 | — | 4 | 8 | 7 | 17 | — | 46 | — | — | — | — | 143 | 333 | 262 | 526 | 58 | 271 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 164 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 51 | 396 | 340 | 348 | 55 | 259 | 284 | 13 | 13 | 17 | 58 | 172 | 345 | 73 | 66 | 58 | 120 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Donegal | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Ireland | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.











