Strandhill Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at the outlook for Strandhill. It’s a bit of a tough stretch ahead, honestly. We’re starting off pretty poor and it stays that way for the most part. The water is sitting at 61° which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least the water temp is on our side if you’re just keen for a dip.

The week kicks off on Saturday the 4th with a messy 5ft west swell at 9 seconds, but a 12 mph cross-onshore wind is just wrecking it. The combined swell energy is moderate, about 398, but the conditions are poor – choppy and ugly. Look, if you were hoping for clean lines, this isn't it.

Sunday the 5th is still a no-go. The swell drops a little but that wind stays onshore. We see the same story through Monday and Tuesday – small west swell with moderate cross-shore winds and not enough quality. The forecast confidence is high because it’s the near-term, and it’s not good.

Now, Wednesday the 8th morning is the first chink of light. We get a little 3ft west swell with clean conditions as a light S wind at 3 mph gives us a cross-offshore flow. The combined swell energy is still weak (157), and it’s small, but it’s surfable. It’s not going to win any awards.

Thursday the 9th morning and afternoon are similar. Small west swell, 3ft, with light cross-offshore winds – clean but very ordinary conditions. Energy is low, around 126.

Friday the 10th sees a pulse of west swell hitting 3ft with a longer 10- to 11-second period, which usually gives better shape. But a 12 mph onshore wind blows that chance away. The energy is a bit more moderate (214), but the wind kills it.

The rest of the second week is a slow slide downhill. From the 11th onwards, the swell really fades, dropping to 2ft by the 12th and staying tiny. There’s a brief, tiny bright spot on the morning of Tuesday the 14th with a glassy 2ft west swell – clean, but barely enough to get wet. Energy is a measly 69.

If I had to pick a standout – and I use that term loosely here – it’s Wednesday the 8th morning and Thursday the 9th. The swell direction from the west is a good match for Strandhill’s optimum WNW swell, the winds are light and clean, and the water is glassy, but it’s small. Crowds might be possible, and it’s fairly consistent, but really, the whole 16-day window is a struggle. It’s a tough run for Strandhill, and only the most desperate or dedicated should bother. A kite surfer might find the onshore wind days more interesting than a paddle surfer.

Rusty.

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