St Finan's Bay Reviews and Ratings

“Saint Finan's Bay is a wonderful little beach where the Kerry mountains fade into the Atlantic Ocean. At high tide, the sand here is almost entirely covered by the sea but at low tide a fair sized beach is uncovered. Quite popular in summer, but always friendly. Crystal clear water and the magnificent profile of the Skellig Islands between waves. Scenic Ireland at its very best.

In terms of wind, waves and weather St. Finan's is an exceptionally exposed location, open to the full force of a SW gale when the surf must get immense, but also offering a wave in West or even big wrapping NW, as well as occasional south swells from Biscay lows. Also, it is located so far west that like Coomenoole, it must even be exposed to south Atlantic swells in the Irish summer, at about the 20-30cm height and 20 second or longer periods.

This all goes to make this little beach very consistent in terms of surf, but very prone to being blown out and extremely prone to being cloudy and wet. A good spot to head in summer when all else if flat but in all probability, in winter it will more often be too big than too small.

In the prevailing west swell conditions, expect two or three foot here when Ballinskelligs and Derrynane are just an unsurfable foot (which is why the local surf schools tend to come here in summer). Peaky lefts and especially rights are the specialty. Best at mid tide. It can be very good up to head high in light/offshore N or NE winds.

It would be interesting to know how much swell it can handle before it closes out.”

Rob Davies from NEW ZEALAND - 29 Jul 2010