Best Time to Surf Ireland
The best time to surf Ireland is September to April: that is when the most breaks are at their best — 4 of the 4 Ireland breaks we map at the peak.
Last updated · Counted from the surf breaks we map — each break's own season, level and wave type
Surf in Ireland month by month
How many of the 4 breaks we map in Ireland are at their best in each month, and which ones. The busiest months are highlighted.
January
4 at their best · 4 in season
February
4 at their best · 4 in season
March
4 at their best · 4 in season
April
4 at their best · 4 in season
May
0 at their best · 0 in season
June
0 at their best · 0 in season
July
0 at their best · 0 in season
August
0 at their best · 0 in season
September
4 at their best · 4 in season
October
4 at their best · 4 in season
November
4 at their best · 4 in season
December
4 at their best · 4 in season
Lefts, rights and peaks in Ireland
Every break we map here, by what the wave breaks over and which way it peels — a left peels to the surfer's left as they ride towards the beach.
| Break type | Lefts | Rights | Both ways / A-frames |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reef | Mullaghmore Head | — | Bundoran, Aileen's |
| Beach | — | — | Lahinch |
Season at every Ireland break
Each break's stated season, with its best months filled in.
- Aileen's
- Wave
- Reef break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Advanced
- Season
- September to April (autumn and winter)
- Tide
- Best on a mid-to-high tide
- Watch out
- Extreme wave power over a submerged rock reef, strong currents and cold water. Access to the base of the cliffs is long and hazardous, and parts of the cliff trail have safety closures; check locally before going. Rescue is difficult, and tow skis are in the water on major swells. For experienced big-wave surfers with safety support only.
- Bundoran
- Wave
- Reef break · Left and right
- Level
- Advanced
- Season
- September to April (autumn and winter)
- Tide
- Best on a mid-to-high tide
- Watch out
- Breaks over shallow coral or rock reef — booties are recommended and mind the take-off zone.
- Lahinch
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Beginner
- Season
- September to April (autumn and winter)
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Strong rips when it is bigger, backwash and a difficult exit at high tide, and crowded surf-school zones. Cold Atlantic water, so wear a good wetsuit. Rocks around parts of the bay, and the weather changes fast.
- Mullaghmore Head
- Wave
- Reef break · Left-hand
- Level
- Advanced
- Season
- September to April (autumn and winter)
- Tide
- Best on a mid-to-high tide
- Watch out
- A cold-water big-wave slab — tow-only on its biggest days, with heavy currents and rocks; for elite surfers only.
Surf spots in Ireland by level
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to surf Ireland?
The best time to surf Ireland is September to April: that is when the most breaks are at their best — 4 of the 4 Ireland breaks we map at the peak.
Can you surf Ireland all year round?
Not every month. None of the 4 breaks we map in Ireland lists May to August in its season.
Which surf breaks in Ireland are lefts and which are rights?
Lefts: Mullaghmore Head. The table below splits every break we map in Ireland by type and direction.