
Surf Forecasts:
Magheraroarty Strand surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period, WNW swell with 202 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Magheraroarty Strand this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Magheraroarty Strand in the next 16 days are 1.4m 7s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Magheraroarty Strand over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for the Magheraroarty Strand stretch.
Right off the bat, we've got a bit of a flat spell to get through. There's nothing really worth paddling out for from Thursday the 16th right through until the end of the first week. The wind is mostly onshore and the swell is small and weak, with combined energy readings barely scratching into triple digits.
Things start to look a little more interesting around the 24th of July. We get a jump in size, with a 6ft to 7ft swell from the WNW, but it's got a cross-shore wind on it and the energy is only moderate. It's not the cleanest, but it's a step up.
The real standout, and the one to mark on your calendar, is Sunday the 26th and Monday the 27th. The combined energy ramps up big time, hitting 991 and then a massive 1503. That's a lot of juice in the water. For Sunday, we're looking at a 8ft swell from the WNW with a period of 9 to 10 seconds. The wind is fresh but it's a cross-offshore situation, keeping things clean. However, that size is getting into the expert-only zone for many. Monday the 27th is even better: a 7ft swell from the same direction, but with a longer 12-second period, which means more push and shape. The wind is holding cross-offshore. This is a proper groundswell, and for a point break like Magheraroarty (Donegal), that longer period is a dream for long, drawn-out walls. The water is running a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 61°.
After that, the swell drops off quickly. By Tuesday the 28th we get a brief window of cleanish conditions with a 6ft swell and offshore wind, but the energy is already fading. From there, it's back to small, windy, and messy.
So, to sum it up: the first week is a write-off. The true action is on the far side of the forecast, with Sunday the 26th and Monday the 27th offering up the best chance of a solid, clean swell. It's a big one, so bring your step-up and your wits. Keep an eye on the wind closer to the day, but the potential is there.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | W 9 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | WNW 11 | W 10 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
23 | 24 | 95 | 148 | 144 | 94 | 100 | 106 | 67 | 46 | 40 | 56 | 80 | 85 | 62 | 66 | 37 | 42 | 55 | 42 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:30PM3.78m | 8:53AM3.21m | 9:15PM3.70m | 9:37AM3.08m | 9:59PM3.51m | 10:21AM2.91m | 10:43PM3.25m | 11:07AM2.74m | 11:30PM2.96m | 11:57AM2.57m | 00:22AM2.68m | 12:57PM2.45m | 1:26AM2.47m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:43AM-0.00m | 2:47PM0.05m | 3:29AM0.11m | 3:31PM0.18m | 4:13AM0.30m | 4:16PM0.38m | 4:58AM0.52m | 5:03PM0.63m | 5:45AM0.76m | 5:57PM0.88m | 6:39AM0.97m | 7:02PM1.09m | ||||||||
— | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:18 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | |
— | 10:01 | — | — | 10:00 | — | — | 10:00 | — | — | 9:58 | — | — | 9:57 | — | — | 9:54 | — | — | 9:53 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 |
Feels °C | 16 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | NNW 7 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | NNW 6 |
23 | 24 | 21 | 34 | 59 | 28 | 14 | 106 | 67 | 46 | 40 | 56 | 56 | 51 | 62 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 42 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | NW 11 | NW 10 | W 8 | — | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | NE 5 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 18 | W 18 | W 10 | W 7 | W 16 | W 16 | — | W 9 |
20 | 19 | 26 | 12 | — | 10 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 13 | 12 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 47 | 1 | 5 | 5 | — | 13 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | — | — | W 10 | NNW 8 | W 9 | WNW 12 | W 19 | W 19 | — | — | W 18 | — | N 8 | — | — | — |
4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | — | — | 2 | 7 | 14 | 27 | 7 | 7 | — | — | 6 | — | 1 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 2 | NNW 4 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NE 5 | — | — | NNW 6 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | — | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | — |
1 | 4 | 95 | 148 | 144 | 94 | 100 | 8 | — | — | 33 | 50 | 80 | 85 | — | 66 | 37 | 42 | 55 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 163 | 341 | 392 | 2077 | 181 | 341 | 348 | 9 | 66 | 348 | 66 | 312 | 358 | 312 | 66 | 410 | 388 | 687 | 361 | 36 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Donegal | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










