Magheraroarty Strand Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

First up, we’ve got a bit of a slow start. The first real chance to get wet comes on Tuesday morning, the 25th of August, down at Magheraroarty Strand. It’s a point break, exposed to the swell, and it’s inconsistent here, so you’ve got to be patient. Early on Tuesday, we’re looking at a 4 ft swell rolling in from the W, with a 10-second period. The wind is a cross-off from the ESE at 16 mph, which will keep things reasonably clean. The combined swell energy is moderate (228). Water temp is sitting at 61°, which is a touch warmer than normal for the time of year. Not a standout session, but it’s the first semi-rideable wave on offer.

Wednesday the 26th and Thursday the 27th are pretty much duds – small, weak, and messy. A couple of clean windows show up on Thursday morning with a 3 ft WNW swell and a 9-second period, but the energy is weak (109) and the conditions are just “ordinary.”

Friday the 28th through Saturday the 29th is a write-off. Onshore winds and chopped-up surf. Sunday the 30th offers a bit more hope with a 4 ft swell from the NNW, 7-second period, and a light cross-off breeze. The energy picks up to a moderate 196, but it’s still not firing on all cylinders.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Thursday the 3rd of September brings a big pulse of swell – 8 ft from the W with a 10-second period. The combined energy is very strong (1453). But here’s the catch: the forecast says it’s too big for this break. The wind is a cross-off from the E at 19 mph, and conditions are clean, but this is a spot for beginners and that size is going to be a handful. Keep an eye on it, but it’s probably one for the experts or a spectator day.

Friday the 4th of September still has some size – 6 ft from the NNW with a 12-second period – but the wind is howling from the WSW at 25 mph, and the energy is huge (1496). The conditions are clean, but that’s a strong breeze and a long period groundswell. For a point break like this, the long period will make the waves stand up and wall up nicely, but paddling out will be a mission.

The best and most promising window falls on Sunday the 6th of September. We’ve got a 8 ft swell from the W with a 12-second period, and a 8 ft swell from the W with a 13-second period in the afternoon. The combined energy is enormous (1781 and 1809). The wind on Sunday morning is a light cross-off from the SSE at 16 mph, and by the afternoon it swings to a strong offshore from the S at 28 mph. That’s a proper offshore wind, and the waves will be clean, hollow, and well-shaped. The caveat: the size is well over 8 ft, so this is strictly for experienced surfers only. The long period groundswell is perfect for this point break setup, but it’s going to be a battle to get out. The water temp is still a touch warmer than average.

After that, the week of the 7th turns into a windy, messy, and oversized mess with gale-force winds and huge, unmanageable swell. There’s a brief window on the 9th of September with an 8 ft WNW swell and a 10-second period, but again, the wind is a strong cross-off, and the energy is still very strong (1490). Another day for the big wave crew only.

So, to wrap it up: the standout session is Sunday the 6th of September. The swell is big, the direction is perfect for the spot, and the offshore wind will make for some epic, clean waves. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but if you’ve got the chops, that’s the day. The earlier pulse on the 3rd is also significant but looks too big for comfort. Stay patient, stay safe, and keep an eye on the forecasts.

Rusty out.

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