Strandhill Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m looking at the Sligo coast for the next couple of weeks. To be honest, it’s a bit of a slow start, but there’s a real sleeper hit later on if you’ve got the patience. Water temp is about average for the time of year, so nothing wild there.

We’re kicking off on Thursday the 27th of August at Strandhill. It’s nothing to write home about – tiny waves, only 2ft to 2ft from the west, with a period around 9 seconds. The combined swell energy is very weak (60), and while the wind is a light cross-off, it’s just small and ordinary. It’s a surfable wave but very forgettable. The afternoon stays the same, just a bit more wind.

Friday the 28th and Saturday the 29th are a write-off. The swell drops right off to 0.7ft, and the wind turns onshore or cross-onshore, making a mess of it. Poor surf conditions all round. You’d be better off staying on the beach.

Sunday the 30th sees a little life. The morning is small and clean with a light cross-off, but the real highlight is the afternoon. Glassy conditions, zero wind, and a clean 2ft wave from the west with a 9-second period. The swell energy is still weak (49), but it’s clean and tidy. Not a standout, but a pleasant surf if you’re desperate.

Monday the 31st is a no-go. The wind shifts to cross-shore and the swell is short-period and messy. Then Tuesday the 1st and Wednesday the 2nd of September get a bit of size but with onshore and cross-onshore winds that chop everything up. The combined energy on Tuesday morning hits 227, which is moderate, but it’s blown out. Wednesday afternoon has a fresh cross-off wind but the swell is still messy.

Thursday the 3rd of September is a big one in terms of energy but not a surfer’s friend. The swell builds to 5ft to 5ft from the west, with periods up to 11 seconds. The combined energy is strong (719), but the wind is onshore and cross-onshore, creating a choppy, blown-out mess. It’s a powerful, ugly ocean.

Friday the 4th of September is the first real chance. The morning sees 5ft from the west-northwest, 12-second period, and a clean cross-off breeze from the south-southeast. The combined energy is strong (658). It’s a marginal call, but the conditions are clean and the swell has some punch. This is a big-wave day for the experienced, not beginners.

Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th morning are again poor with strong winds. But then Sunday the 6th of September afternoon – that’s the one. The swell jumps to 8ft from the west, 10-second period, with a light offshore breeze from the south-southeast. The combined energy is very strong (1048). This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. Clean, powerful, and the wind is perfect. This is the standout of the whole forecast. Set your alarms for that one.

Monday the 7th onward goes downhill again. The wind turns onshore, the swell drops, and it’s back to poor conditions. Wednesday the 11th of September morning shows a big 8ft swell from the west, 12-second period, massive energy (1776), but with onshore wind, it’s a marginal call at best, likely a washing machine for experts only.

So, the short story: a lot of flat or blown-out days, but the real gem is Sunday the 6th of September afternoon. That’s the one to chase.

Rusty

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