Magheraroarty Strand Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s have a look at what’s comin’ up. This forecast is all about Magheraroarty Strand (point break, exposed to the north-northwest), and it’s a bit of a mixed bag. The water is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sittin’ at 61°F.

First up, Sunday morning the 30th of August – you’re lookin’ at a tiny 2ft swell from the north, period of 7 seconds, combined wave energy is weak (34). Winds are light cross-off from the southeast, so the surf will be clean but there’s almost no power. It’s a no-go for any real fun. Sunday afternoon stays similar, with glassy conditions but still no push.

Monday the 31st gets a bit messy. Morning sees a jump to 8ft from the west-northwest, period 8 seconds, moderate to strong energy (931), but a strong 30 mph cross-shore wind from the west-northwest makes it lumpy and hard to handle. By afternoon the swell drops to 4ft from the northwest, and the wind shifts to cross-off from the west-southwest, cleanin’ it up, but it’s still not quality.

Tuesday the 1st of September – morning brings a solid 8ft from the west (8 seconds, strong energy at 773), but a strong 25 mph cross-off wind from the southwest means it’s gonna be blown and rugged. Afternoon gets a bit better with 6ft from the west, light cross-shore wind from the west, and marginal conditions.

Wednesday the 2nd sees the swell drop right back down – tiny 2ft in the morning and 2ft in the afternoon, both from the north with weak energy, and cross-off winds. Not worth paddlin’ out.

Now, Thursday the 3rd of September is a big one. Morning hits with a massive 10ft west swell, period 11 seconds (very long period), and combined energy is huge at 2175. That’s strong to very strong. Problem is, it’s too big for this break, and the wind is a cross-off 22 mph from the west-southwest. The waves will be too meaty for most – expert-only terrain, and even then, that long period will make it break straight and fast. Not for the faint-hearted. Afternoon gets even bigger at 12ft from the west (12 seconds, 3441 energy) but the wind turns near-gale from the southwest, blowin’ it to pieces.

Friday the 4th is no better – 15ft from the west-northwest in the morning (13 seconds, energy through the roof at 7357), with cross-on wind. That’s more kitin’ territory than paddle surf. Afternoon remains huge and messy.

Come Saturday the 5th of September, the swell drops to 6ft from the west (10 seconds, moderate energy at 836), but winds are cross-shore from the west-northwest, creating some chop. Marginal conditions. Sunday the 6th – tiny 0.7ft from the north-northwest in the morning, then a jump to 7ft from the west (10 seconds, 908 energy) in the afternoon, with strong offshore wind from the south-southwest. That’s clean but hard to paddle into and too big for the spot.

Monday the 7th and Tuesday the 8th stay too big or messy. After that, from Wednesday the 9th through to the 14th of September, the swell is tiny, often under 3ft, with poor conditions across the board. Only Saturday the 12th offers a slight glimmer – 3ft from the west (11 seconds, 197 energy) in the morning, clean but ordinary.

The standout here is really that morning of Thursday the 3rd of September – 10ft west swell, but heed the warning: it’s too big for Magheraroarty and only for experts. The long period (11 seconds) will make it dumpy. If you’re a confident local and can handle heavy, slabby waves, that’s the one to chase. But for the rest of the run? You’ll be waitin’ for the next window.

Keep your eyes on the charts, but right now, this stretch looks more like a rest weekend than a surf trip.

Rusty

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