Surf Forecasts:
Magheraroarty Strand surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 12s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, NW swell with 789 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 7s 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 23) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Magheraroarty Strand in the next 16 days are 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 9s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
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 in store for Magheraroarty Strand.
First thing you need to know: the water is sitting at 61°, which is a touch warmer than you’d normally expect for this time of year. Not a bad little bonus for the early sessions.
The next few days are a real mixed bag, so patience is key. Sunday afternoon the 23rd sees a glassy moment with a tiny 0.6ft NW swell, period a short 7 seconds. It’s surfable, but only just – the kind of session where you’re fighting for every inch of glide. Monday morning the 24th is the first real standout. The swell jumps to 5ft from the WNW with a period of 11 seconds, and the combined energy is a solid 544 (moderate). The wind is a light cross-offshore from the SE, keeping things clean. This is a point break, so that longer period groundswell will wrap in nicely here. It’s the best on offer in the first week, no question.
Tuesday the 25th holds some cleaner waves in the morning, 4ft from the W with a 10-second period, but the wind is a moderate breeze from the ESE, so it’s a bit more work for your reward. After that, things drop off. From Wednesday the 26th right through to Friday the 28th, it’s mostly small, weak, and messy – combined energy barely reaching 120 or less. Thursday has a bit of cross-shore chop, nothing worth getting excited about.
Saturday the 29th brings a big jump in size – 8ft from the NW with a short 8-second period – but the wind is a fresh cross-shore, making it lumpy. The energy is strong (789), but it’s not for the faint-hearted. That swell is too big and messy for a beginner. Sunday the 30th looks even bigger, with 8ft from the NW again, but the wind swings cross-offshore from the WSW, and the energy hits 819. The guidance says the swell is too big for this break, so unless you’re an expert looking for a big, blown-out battle, give it a miss.
The second week is a write-off. From Monday the 31st through to Sunday the 6th of September, the swell is either too big, too small, or the wind is howling. The consistency is shot. There’s a brief moment on Saturday the 5th of September with a 5ft WNW swell and a 10-second period, but the wind is forecast to be a strong cross-shore, making it a no-go. The long-range stuff on the 6th of September shows a 6ft WNW swell with a long 11-second period and energy at 889, but the wind is a near gale. That’s kite-surfing territory, not paddle.
So, the call is simple: Monday morning the 24th of August is your best shot. Everything else is a gamble or a write-off. The combination of moderate energy, clean offshore wind, and that 5ft groundswell makes it the only true standout in the whole 16 days. Get out there if you can.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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 5 | WNW 6 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | NW 8 | ENE 5 | ENE 4 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | NE 5 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 5 | WNW 7 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
8 | 13 | 21 | 36 | 319 | 540 | 450 | 498 | 220 | 127 | 29 | 25 | 24 | 108 | 88 | 57 | 22 | 19 | 40 | 237 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 3:39AM2.23m | 4:15PM2.49m | 4:41AM2.41m | 5:05PM2.72m | 5:23AM2.61m | 5:42PM2.96m | 5:57AM2.80m | 6:15PM3.18m | 6:29AM2.96m | 6:45PM3.36m | 6:59AM3.10m | 7:15PM3.49m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:22PM1.32m | 9:43AM1.24m | 10:31PM1.14m | 10:40AM1.02m | 11:16PM0.92m | 11:20AM0.78m | 11:52PM0.69m | 11:54AM0.55m | 00:24AM0.47m | 12:25PM0.35m | 00:54AM0.29m | 12:55PM0.20m | 1:23AM0.16m | |||||||
— | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | |
8:51 | — | — | 8:47 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:44 | — | — | 8:40 | — | — | 8:38 | — | — | 8:36 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 11 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 5 | WSW 9 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | W 9 | N 4 | NNW 5 | N 7 | — |
7 | 15 | 21 | 36 | 319 | 540 | 450 | 498 | 220 | 127 | 66 | 29 | 29 | 108 | 88 | 57 | 8 | 8 | 4 | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 9 | NNW 5 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | W 14 | — | — | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NNW 7 | N 9 | N 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 7 | — |
16 | 3 | 16 | 13 | 9 | 8 | 4 | — | — | 11 | 29 | 20 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 22 | 19 | 2 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 6 | N 5 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | W 15 | W 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 12 | N 9 | NW 7 | NW 6 | N 8 | N 7 | — | — |
8 | 2 | 15 | 7 | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 9 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 3 | E 3 | ENE 3 | ENE 5 | ENE 4 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | NE 5 | — | SW 3 | NW 5 | WNW 7 |
— | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | 2 | 25 | 24 | 14 | 22 | 56 | — | 2 | 40 | 237 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 355 | 340 | 58 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 347 | 0 | 36 | 66 | 348 | 306 | 58 | 341 |
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.











