
Surf Forecasts:
Strandhill surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, WNW swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, WNW swell with 6,002 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period with WNW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Strandhill this week:
The surf forecast for Strandhill over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Strandhill in the next 16 days are 3.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Strandhill over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Strandhill. We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag ahead, but there’s definitely some light at the end of the tunnel. The water temp is sitting at about 60°F right now, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so the rubber might be a little thinner for the next few days.
Right, the start of the period is a write-off, I’m not gonna sugar-coat it. Monday the 14th and Tuesday the 15th are all poor surf conditions with messy, cross-onshore wind and lumpy, choppy seas. You’ll be fighting the wind more than riding the wave. That changes a bit by Wednesday the 16th, but the wind is still onshore or cross-shore, making it choppy and not worth paddling out for. The energy is building though, hitting a moderate 672 on Wednesday morning and then a strong 1257 by Thursday morning, but the wind is just too fresh and nasty.
Thursday the 17th sees the biggest swell of the first week, with the morning pumping a solid 8ft and the afternoon jumping to 12ft from the WNW with a very long period of 14 seconds. The combined energy is a massive 4420, which is strong to very strong. But here’s the kicker – the wind is a fresh cross-onshore at 22 mph. That’s a lot of power, but it’s going to be a beast and a mess. That 12ft size is expert-only territory, and with that onshore wind, even the experts are gonna have a tough time.
The first real glimmer of hope comes on Friday morning, September 18th. The swell is still a solid 8ft from the WNW, with a period of 13 seconds and combined energy of 2028. But the wind swings to a cross-off from the south at 12 mph, cleaning things up nicely. It’s still a big, powerful wave, so intermediate crew need to be on their game, but the conditions are finally surfable. This is the standout of the first week – a window of clean, strong surf.
Saturday the 19th drops off again with cross-onshore wind, keeping things marginal.
Now, hold onto your boards for Sunday morning, September 20th. This is the pick of the entire forecast. We’ve got 6ft of groundswell from the WNW with a 12-second period and combined energy of 992 (moderate to strong). The wind is offshore from the SSE at 9 mph. Gentle offshore and clean. That’s the magic words. This is going to be lined-up, clean, and firing for the intermediate crew. The break can get crowded sometimes, so get down early.
The rest of that week (21st-26th) is a slow fade. The swell drops right down to 1ft to 4ft, with clean but weak conditions. There are a couple of glassy mornings on the 25th and 26th, but you’re looking at tiny waves – better for a longboard or a paddle than a proper surf.
Into the second week, the forecast gets less certain, but there’s a promising window. Monday morning, September 29th is the one to circle on the calendar. The swell bumps back up to 4ft from the west with a very long period of 14 seconds and a moderate 489 combined energy. The wind is offshore from the SE at 12 mph, keeping it clean. It’s not the biggest, but with that long period, it’ll have some real push and shape, especially if you’re out on a point or a reef setup. It’s a promising but less certain long-range standout.
So, overall: we’ve got a rough start, a clean window on Friday the 18th, the best day on Sunday the 20th, and a potential sneaky good day on the 29th. Get after that Sunday.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Thu afternoon, calm by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 11 | W 10 | W 8 | W 9 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 10 | WNW 14 | WNW 14 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | W 11 | W 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
69 | 188 | 400 | 643 | 395 | 1302 | 672 | 377 | 482 | 1257 | 4420 | 4178 | 2028 | 1108 | 776 | 608 | 763 | 1054 | 992 | 980 | 727 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | glassy | off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:35PM3.47m | 8:53AM3.24m | 9:09PM3.18m | 9:26AM3.07m | 9:44PM2.87m | 10:03AM2.85m | 10:24PM2.56m | 10:49AM2.62m | 11:18PM2.29m | 12:00PM2.43m | 00:50AM2.12m | 1:47PM2.38m | 2:42AM2.15m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:15PM0.19m | 2:37AM0.27m | 2:50PM0.40m | 3:08AM0.53m | 3:27PM0.66m | 3:40AM0.81m | 4:07PM0.95m | 4:17AM1.09m | 5:00PM1.24m | 5:11AM1.33m | 6:33PM1.44m | 6:54AM1.46m | 8:43PM1.40m | ||||||||
7:03 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | |
— | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:38 | — | |
mm | 2 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 19 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 14 | 16 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 11 | NW 12 | — | NW 11 | — | WNW 11 | W 10 | — | — | — | — | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | W 11 | — | WNW 11 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 |
69 | 188 | 6 | — | 5 | — | 672 | 377 | — | — | — | — | 2028 | 1108 | 776 | — | 763 | 1054 | 992 | 980 | 727 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 13 | NW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
6 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 3 | S 3 | W 10 | W 8 | W 9 | WNW 12 | — | — | W 9 | W 10 | WNW 14 | WNW 14 | — | SSW 4 | — | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — |
2 | 3 | 400 | 643 | 395 | 1302 | — | — | 482 | 1257 | 4420 | 4178 | — | 20 | — | 608 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 8 | 8 | 41 | 521 | 712 | 391 | 220 | 148 | 432 | 469 | 712 | 243 | 8 | 243 | 148 | 8 | 97 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Sligo | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Ireland | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Information about the Strandhill Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Strandhill provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Strandhill can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Strandhill 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 (Strandhill) 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 Strandhill 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Sligo? If you are looking for accommodation near Strandhill, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Sligo, consider staying in Sligo which is 9 km (6 miles) away. Other places in and around Sligo where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Ballina which is 40 km (25 miles) away, Killybegs, Enniskillen and Claremorris.










