Strandhill Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

To be straight up with you, we’re looking at a pretty grim run for a while. The first proper week is mostly a write-off, with only a few tiny windows of something surfable. It’s going to be a long wait until the very end of the month and into August for anything that really gets the heart pumping, and even then, it’s nothing to write home about. The water is a toasty 63° on Tuesday morning, which is much warmer than usual for this time of year at Strandhill, so at least you won’t need a thick hood.

We start off on Tuesday the 21st with tiny, weak swell. The combined energy is a measly 46 (Tuesday morning) and dropping to 37 (Tuesday afternoon). Wind is howling from the north, cross-on and choppy, making a mess of the 1 ft to 2 ft waves. Total write-off.

Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd are much the same story. We’re looking at 1 ft to 1 ft of weak, short-period swell. The wind goes offshore on Thursday morning with a light breeze, but there’s barely a ripple to surf. The combined energy sits at 11 and 18, so you’re just sitting out there.

The first real change comes on Friday the 24th. The swell bumps up to 3 ft from the WNW with a period of 9 seconds, giving a combined energy of 166 (Friday morning) and 140 (Friday afternoon). The wind is moderate cross-onshore, so it’s going to be a bit choppy, but there’s at least some power. It’s still labelled poor surf conditions, so don’t get your hopes up.

Saturday the 25th is the next step up. Swell hits 6 ft from the WNW with a 9-second period, and the energy jumps to 551. That’s a solid moderate energy. But the wind is still cross-onshore, and it’s pouring with light rain. This is intermediate stuff, but it’s going to be messy. The afternoon drops to 5 ft but with a bit more period (10 seconds) and the energy is still strong at 480.

Sunday the 26th, the swell drops back slightly to 4 ft in the morning, then builds to 5 ft in the afternoon. The wind goes offshore from the NW at 16 mph, which is great for cleaning up the face. The period is 9 seconds, giving a combined energy of 220 (morning) and 344 (afternoon). That afternoon session on Sunday looks like the best of this first week, with clean, offshore winds and a solid chest-to-head-high swell. It’s a standout for the period.

The rest of the week into August is a slow fade. Monday the 27th has a morning with light cross-shore wind and 4 ft, but it’s marginal. The best shot after that is Tuesday the 28th morning, with a light cross-offshore breeze from the SSW and 4 ft, giving clean conditions and a combined energy of 193. It’s still only ordinary.

Then we hit a long, flat gap. From Wednesday the 29th through to Monday the 3rd of August, the swell is consistently below 3 ft, with very low energy (most readings under 50). The best you’ll see is a glassy 2 ft on Friday the 31st afternoon, and a glassy 1 ft on Saturday the 1st of August afternoon. For a surfer, that’s a dead zone.

The final few days from Tuesday the 4th to Wednesday the 5th of August are similar. Tiny swell, 0.7 ft to 2 ft, with the cleanest conditions being the Wednesday morning with a light cross-offshore breeze and 2 ft. The combined energy is only 51 and 64, so it’s very weak.

The Best on Offer: If you’re desperate, Sunday the 26th afternoon is your best bet. Head to Strandhill when the wind is offshore from the NW, with 5 ft of WNW swell at 9 seconds. It’s solid, clean, and the energy is strong at 344. It’s an intermediate session, but it’s the only real wave of the first week. The Tuesday the 28th morning is a distant second, with clean conditions but much smaller 4 ft swell.

For the second week, keep an eye on Friday the 31st afternoon and Saturday the 1st of August afternoon. The swell is tiny (1 ft to 2 ft) but with glassy conditions, you might get a few fun little peelers. Don’t expect much.

Stay patient, lads. The forecasts might change, but for now, it’s a long wait for a small window.

Rusty.

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