Surf Ireland by level: Best beginner, intermediate & advanced surf spots
Planning a surf trip to Ireland? Start here. We’ve curated the top beginner-friendly beaches, intermediate playgrounds, and advanced reefs with exact conditions to watch (ideal swell direction/size, offshore winds, preferred tides) and the best months for each skill level.
From summer learners at Rossnowlagh and Inch to autumn peaks at Strandhill and winter slabs at Bundoran, Easkey, and Mullaghmore, this page is your practical roadmap to surfing Ireland—confidently, safely, and in the right season.
A no-nonsense surf guide to where (and when) to paddle out on the Emerald Isle from mellow summer sandbanks to heaving winter slabs.
Beginner Beaches ·
Intermediate Spots ·
Advanced Reefs ·
Best Season by Level ·
Wetsuits & Safety
Beginner-Friendly Beaches
Rossnowlagh (Donegal Bay)
Long, gentle sandbanks and a welcoming lineup. Great first green waves and group lessons.
Best season: June–September
Tip: If Tullan is too big, Rossnowlagh is usually manageable.
Inch Beach (Dingle, Kerry)
5 km sandspit with rolling lines inside the bay. Easy parking, views for days.
Best season: June–September
Lahinch (Clare)
Buzzing surf town; lots of schools. Pick small-to-moderate days and mid-tide windows.
Watch out: Backwash & rips at high tide.
Tramore (Waterford)
South-coast bay with forgiving peaks and multiple surf schools.
Best season: June–September
Enniscrone (Sligo)
Arc-shaped beach with consistent, soft peaks. Great for confidence building.
Best season: July–October
Keel Beach, Achill (Mayo)
Blue-Flag learner hub backed by cliffs and dunes; wide banks and camps.
Best season: June–September
Benone Strand (NI)
Seven miles of sandy peaks; classic first-timer venue in the north.
Best season: June–September
Garretstown (Cork)
Friendly beachbreak with an active surf-school scene near Kinsale.
Best season: Summer—early autumn
Fanore (Clare)
A beautiful, less-crowded alternative with learner-centric coaching.
Best season: Summer—early autumn
Intermediate Spots
Strandhill (Sligo)
Punchier banks and ever-present rips; read the lineup and pick your peak.
No swimming; strong rips. Book a local guide if new.
Tullan Strand (Bundoran)
Swell magnet with shifting sandbanks; step-up from Rossnowlagh on small–medium days.
Streedagh (Sligo)
Plenty of peaks, more punch as size builds. Good progression venue.
Portrush (East/West, NI)
User-friendly on small days with strong school support.
Avoid >3–4 ft without local knowledge; rips get serious.
Advanced Reefs & Slabs (Experts Only)
Bundoran — The Peak
A-frame reef with fast take-offs and barrel sections. Autumn–winter power, often crowded with chargers.
Easkey Left & Right
Classic, dependable cobble/reef setups. Rocks & kelp: helmets recommended.
Mullaghmore Head
Heavy left-hand slab. Tow-teams, vests, ski support and safety plans are non-negotiable.
Aileen’s (Cliffs of Moher)
Mutant ledge under the cliffs. Pros-only. Logistics, rescue, and local knowledge required.
| Level | Best Months | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | June – September | Smaller swell, lighter winds, warmer water |
| Intermediate | Late Aug – November | Longer-period pulses without relentless storms |
| Advanced | October – March | Consistent power for reefs, slabs & big waves |
Wetsuits & Safety
Sea temps hover ~8–10 °C in February and ~13–17 °C in August. Pack a 5/4 or 5/3 with hood, boots & gloves for most of the year; 4/3 is fine for hardy surfers in high summer. Review Irish Surfing’s safety & etiquette, respect locals, and match the spot to your level.
