Strandhill Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let's have a look at what's cookin' for Strandhill. It's a bit of a tough one to start, I'm not gonna lie. We're looking at a real dry spell here for a good while. The first week and a half or so is just a write-off. We've got a bump of swell coming in from the west on the 18th, but that wind – 16 mph from the west – is just tearing it to bits, making it cross-onshore and choppy. That's not surf, that's a washing machine. The wave energy is moderate at 249 but the quality is just not there. Water temp is sitting at 62°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, but you won't be feeling it through that wind.

This poor run continues right the way through, day after day. There's a bit of a bump in energy on the 19th – 612 – but it's still accompanied by cross-shore winds and rain. It's just frustrating. By the time we get to the 24th, we're looking at tiny 0.7ft to 2ft waves. The wind finally goes clean offshore or cross-off from the south, but with that tiny size, there's just nothing to ride.

Now, around the 25th of August, the wind gets proper offshore from the southeast at 19 mph, but the swell is still way too small at 2ft. It's clean but it's a lake.

We finally see a glimmer of hope on the 27th of August. Thursday morning gives us 3ft swell from the WNW with a period of 9 seconds, combined energy of 120 (weak to moderate), and a gentle offshore wind from the southeast. The morning is cloudy, but the afternoon cleans up even more with a moderate offshore breeze and 3ft swell (144 energy). The surf report says it's "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions". It's the best we've got in this whole outlook, but let's be honest, it's a long way off and it's not exactly firing. It's the closest thing to a standout, but it's a pretty low bar. You could get a longboard out and find something, but it's not going to be anything to write home about. Crowds are possible here from time to time.

After that, it gets blown out again on the 28th and 29th with strong to near-gale force onshore winds, then we see the swell bump up again right at the very end of the forecast on the 1st and 2nd of September. On the 2nd of September, we get 6ft from the west with a moderate cross-offshore wind and a clean surface, giving it a 2 on the rating. The combined energy is a solid 562 (moderate). But it's weeks away, so we'll have to watch that one. It looks like it could be our best chance for something decent, but it's a long-range call.

So, for the next week and a half, I'd say give it a miss unless you want a tan. The 27th is the first real chance for a paddle, and the 2nd of September is one to keep an eye on if you're feeling hopeful. It's a grim run, but this place can turn around quick.

Rusty.

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