Strandhill Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a proper look at what’s brewing for Strandhill over the next couple of weeks. I’ll be straight with you – the start of this run is a bit of a write-off, so don’t bother waxing up just yet.

We’ve got a long dry spell to kick things off. From Monday the 7th right through to the end of Thursday the 10th, it’s a total mess. Rain, cross-shore winds, and lumpy, poor surf. The energy is there on Monday the 7th – a combined energy of 444 (moderate) – but it’s all ruined by a 12 mph cross-shore wind. The swell is 5 ft at 9 seconds from the west, but it’s just not clean. Tuesday the 8th sees a jump in size to 8 ft, but that’s accompanied by a stiff 25 mph onshore wind, making it a total churn for experts only and even then, you’d be mad. Thursday the 10th cleans up a bit with a cross-offshore breeze, but the swell drops to a weak 3 ft, and the scores are still poor. It’s a frustrating wait.

Finally, we get a little glimmer on Friday the 11th afternoon. The wave comment says “marginal,” but it’s the first hint of life. The swell is 5 ft from the west-northwest at 9 seconds, with a light 6 mph cross-on breeze. The combined energy is 412 (moderate). It’s not great, but it’s better than the nothing we’ve had.

Now, the real window opens up on Saturday the 12th. This is the first proper standout. The morning shows a 7 ft swell from the west-northwest with a very long period of 14 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy. The combined energy is a hefty 1419 (strong). The wind is a clean cross-offshore from the south at 19 mph. The wave comment says “marginal,” but the conditions are clean. This is a bigger swell, at 7 ft, which is getting into the “not for beginners” territory, but it’s a long-period groundswell that will really wrap into Strandhill’s sandbar. The crowd profile here is “sometimes,” so you might have some company, but it’s worth it.

The next true standout is Thursday the 17th. The afternoon session is the absolute cream of the crop. You’ve got a 8 ft swell from the west, with a period of 11 seconds, and a clean, moderate offshore breeze from the southeast at 12 mph. The combined energy is a beefy 1348 (strong). The wave comment says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” This is the one. The swell is over 7 ft, so it’s for the experienced crew, but the offshore wind will groom it to perfection. The water temperature is 61°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you’ll be alright in a spring suit.

The following Friday the 18th is also a brute. The morning sees a 8 ft swell from the west at 12 seconds, with a moderate offshore breeze from the southeast at 16 mph. The combined energy is a massive 2310 (very strong). The comment says “marginal” for the morning, but the afternoon is rated “excellent” again with a 8 ft swell from the west-northwest at 12 seconds and the same clean offshore wind. This is big, powerful stuff – only for experts.

After that, the swell drops a little but stays surfable. Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th have clean conditions and solid 6 ft to 8 ft waves, but the wind shifts to cross-offshore, which is still fine. The best of the run is Thursday the 17th afternoon and Friday the 18th afternoon. Mark those in your calendar.

So, to wrap it up: the first week is a washout. Don’t bother. The pick of the whole period is Thursday the 17th and Friday the 18th, with solid, clean, offshore surf. Get on it.

Rusty.

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