Magheraroarty Strand Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, Rusty here, your local surf reporter. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for the next 16 days, starting with the 11th of August.

Right off the bat, we've got a bit of a flat spell. For the first few days, the surf is tiny, with a weak, low-energy swell that's just not doing much. The water temp is sitting at 60°F, which is about average for this time of year, thanks to a 2°F anomaly – nothing to write home about.

The first real standout comes on Sunday, the 16th of August. We're looking at a clean, surfable window at Magheroarty Strand. The morning kicks off with a 3 ft swell from the NW, with a moderate wave energy (129), but it's a bit crossed-off. The real gem is the Sunday afternoon session: a 2 ft N swell, 9-second period, and a clean 111 energy. The wind swings light southerly, going glassy-offshore, so it'll be clean and smooth. This is a beginner-friendly spot, and it's inconsistent, so it might not be pumping, but when it's this clean, it's a nice little session. Crowds are never an issue here.

The forecast gets a bit more interesting from the 18th, but it's mostly for the big dogs. Tuesday, the 18th of August sees a 6 ft West-Northwest swell with 10-second period and a solid 659 energy in the afternoon. The wind is cross-off, so it should be clean, but it's still marginal. Things get serious from Wednesday, the 19th through to the end of the run. The swell jumps to 8 ft+, with combined energy readings hitting well over 1000, even reaching 2070 by the 25th. This is strong, powerful stuff. However, the consistent message from the models is that this swell is predicted to be too big for this break. The wind is often cross-onshore or fresh, making it choppy and lumpy. This is a point break, but with that much energy, it's going to be a heavy, punishing wave. This is not for the faint of heart; it's a strictly expert-only zone. The period is around 8 to 11 seconds, so it's a mix of wind and groundswell, and with the size, it'll be a real challenge.

So, to wrap it up: if you're looking for a clean, easy-going wave, your best bet is Sunday afternoon, the 16th of August at Magheroarty Strand. For the rest of the run, it's either too small or way too big. The big swell from the 19th onward is a real spectacle, but it's a beast that'll chew you up if you're not ready.

Rusty.

Read more