Surf Forecasts:
Magheraroarty Strand surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s period, WNW swell with 612 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period with NW 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 16) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 8s. 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 7s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Magheraroarty Strand over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let's have a look at what's coming up for the next couple of weeks at Magheroarty Strand.
First thing to say is, it's been a bit of a struggle lately, and the start of this forecast period is no different. The first couple of days, Thursday and Friday, are honestly a write-off for any decent waves. Water temperature is sitting pretty much where you'd expect for this time of year, nothing unusual there. You're looking at tiny dribble and messy conditions, not worth getting the board wet for.
Saturday the 15th is where things start to look a little more promising, but it's still only a marginal call. We've got a blend of swells pushing in around 5ft from the WNW, but with a short period of 8 seconds and cross-shore winds, it's going to be pretty ordinary. The combined energy is moderate at 233, but the quality just isn't there for a solid session.
Sunday the 16th is actually a bit of a quiet standout for the lighter moments. In the afternoon, we get a beautiful glassy spell with a light NW wind and a tiny 2ft pulse from the North. The period picks up to 9 seconds, so it's got a bit more shape, but the energy is still low at 110. It'll be clean as a whistle, giving you some knee-to-waist high lines, perfect for a beginner or a longboard to get a few cruisy ones. Just know that it's inconsistent here, so you'll be waiting a bit between sets.
The middle of the following week, around Wednesday the 19th, brings a big spike in swell, with waves hitting 10ft from the West and a long 11-second period. The energy is very strong at 2145, but unfortunately, the wind is gonna be a problem, coming straight onshore from the NW and making a proper mess of it. That kind of size is only for the experts even on a good day, and with how lumpy it'll be, this is honestly looking more like a kite-surfing day than a paddle session.
Looking further out into the second week, there's not a lot to get excited about. Friday the 21st morning offers another fleeting moment of glassy, clean conditions with a tiny 2ft wave, but it's just not got the power. The rest of that week and into the next is a real mixed bag of tiny, weak swells and onshore or cross-shore winds. A few mornings, like Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd, might be clean with a slight offshore, but the wave heights are just too small to recommend a trip for.
So, if you're desperate for a paddle, keep an eye on Sunday the 16th afternoon for the cleanest, most user-friendly conditions, even if it's small. For the bigger stuff, you'll have to cross your fingers that the wind direction changes before that big swell arrives on the 19th. As it stands, it's a patchy forecast with only a couple of brief windows.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 21°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon night, min 12°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (calm on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the SSW by Mon afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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) | N 7 | WSW 10 | N 11 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | W 10 | N 8 | N 7 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1 | 0 | 2 | 153 | 135 | 138 | 226 | 204 | 178 | 79 | 64 | 116 | 29 | 17 | 398 | 291 | 222 | 253 | 469 | 612 | 525 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | off | glassy | off | cross-off | off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross |
High Tide | 7:28PM3.83m | 7:49AM3.35m | 8:08PM3.84m | 8:28AM3.31m | 8:47PM3.72m | 9:05AM3.21m | 9:24PM3.50m | 9:42AM3.06m | 10:01PM3.21m | 10:20AM2.87m | 10:40PM2.89m | 11:00AM2.67m | 11:23PM2.58m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:04PM-0.03m | 1:40AM-0.11m | 1:44PM-0.09m | 2:19AM-0.08m | 2:23PM-0.04m | 2:57AM0.04m | 3:01PM0.10m | 3:33AM0.24m | 3:40PM0.33m | 4:09AM0.50m | 4:20PM0.61m | 4:47AM0.78m | 5:05PM0.91m | ||||||||
6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:12 | — | — | 9:08 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:05 | — | — | 9:02 | — | — | 9:00 | — | 8:58 | — | |
mm | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | 4 | 5 | 2 | — | 3 | 1 | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
Feels °C | 21 | 20 | 16 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | W 9 | W 9 | N 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | W 10 | WSW 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 8 | N 7 | W 17 | W 17 | W 16 |
306 | 294 | 176 | 153 | 7 | 16 | 226 | 204 | 178 | 79 | 64 | 116 | 115 | 17 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 5 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | — | N 11 | N 10 | — | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | W 8 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | NW 6 | W 18 | W 16 | W 17 | W 17 | — | — | — |
1 | — | 2 | 8 | — | 7 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 61 | 57 | 48 | 29 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 7 | WSW 6 | NW 7 | NW 6 | W 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | 8 | 16 | 6 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | W 8 | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 |
— | — | — | — | 135 | 138 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 95 | 398 | 291 | 222 | 253 | 469 | 612 | 525 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 58 | 58 | 186 | 793 | 591 | 259 | 1073 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 4 | 194 | 58 | 347 | 106 | 341 | 414 | 186 |
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.











