Strandhill Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, grab a cuppa and settle in, because the next couple of weeks at Strandhill are a proper mixed bag. We’ve got a big blank spell to start, then a few glimmers, before the ocean loses its mind again. Let's get into it.

The first half of the 16-day window is a write-off, mate. A solid 5 days of poor conditions kick things off. Monday afternoon stays cloudy with a cross-on W wind at 9 mph pushing into a weak 3 ft swell from the west. The water's a touch warmer than normal at 62°, but that’s small comfort. Tuesday and Wednesday are just as grim with howling winds and no shape. We finally get a change on Wednesday 2nd September morning – a light SE offshore breeze at 9 mph cleans up a tiny 2 ft W swell. The energy is weak (57), but it’s the first clean surf we’ve seen. It’s surfable, but very ordinary. Still, that offshore wind is a major positive for the morning session.

The next real standout, and the best call of the whole run, is Saturday 5th September. This is the one. Early morning, we’ve got a 5 ft swell from the WNW, with a moderate 11-second period pushing in. The combined energy is moderate (521). The wind is a sweet, gentle SSE offshore at 9 mph, setting up clean, lined-up waves. This is where Strandhill (Sligo) shows its class. Expect very good conditions, and while it’s fairly consistent, be aware the crowds can turn up on a weekend when it’s this good. A fantastic window for intermediate surfers.

The afternoon on Saturday 5th holds up too, with a clean offshore wind still blowing, though the swell drops to 4 ft. Sunday 6th morning is small and clean, but the energy’s gone by then.

The second week gets messy. Monday 8th sees a fresh offshore SSE wind at 22 mph and a 6 ft swell from the W, but the wave comment is marginal, so it’s not a clean call. Wednesday 9th is a monster – we’re talking a 13 ft W swell with a 12-second period, and a combined energy reading of 4668 – that’s strong to very strong. But the wind is a near gale from the SW, making it a total mess. This is a beach/sandbar break, so with that much power and wind, it’s going to be a washing machine. Only for the most experienced, and honestly, it’s gonna be more appealing for the kite crew than a paddle.

The last few days of the run are tiny and clean, with glassy conditions on the 15th, but the swell is barely 0.7 ft. Not worth the rubber.

So, the best on offer is absolutely Saturday 5th September morning. Get on it. The rest of the fortnight is either flat, blown out, or too challenging for the average surfer.

Rusty.

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