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Each location is refreshed once every three hours. The hourly view, 7-day forecast, luck factor and packing notes come from the same stored update.
We compare the 7-day forecast with the version-matched historical observations available for the same time of year at Mullaghmore Head. The delta shows whether conditions look better, worse or about the same as a typical late July.
We score each day of the 7-day forecast using the same algorithm as the leaderboard, and highlight the highest scorer.
Open-Meteo's Marine API (swell height, period, water temperature) and Weather API (wind and conditions).
Flat as a lake. Save your energy for another day. Breezy. Some surface chop to deal with. Best conditions early morning before the sea breeze arrives. Not enough swell to get this spot firing properly.
PeakWave scores are planning signals, not safety clearance. Check local authorities, official bulletins and on-site conditions before you go. Read our editorial policy.
Mullaghmore Head is a terrifying, world-renowned big-wave reef break located on the rugged coastline of County Sligo, Ireland. The bathymetry features a massive, deep-water sandstone and limestone reef ledge that sits highly exposed in the North Atlantic. This extreme geological structure intercepts immense, violent westerly winter groundswells tracking across the ocean. When these massive swells hit the reef, the ocean compresses violently, producing a towering, monstrously thick, 'mutant' left-hand wave with a cavernous, plunging lip that frequently breaks below sea level. A south-easterly offshore wind is necessary to groom the expansive faces and hold the colossal barrels open. Due to the unfathomable hydraulic weight of the water, the freezing ocean temperatures, the jagged rock bottom, and the immense speed required to escape the lip, Mullaghmore is strictly the domain of elite, professional big-wave surfers, generally requiring tow-in assistance. It demands unparalleled physical conditioning and highly specialised big-wave survival training.
Heads up: rip risk elevated, and rocks exposed at low tide.
Indicators derived from forecast data, not official warnings. Always check local lifeguard or official advice.
The air here is 75% cleaner than the average comparison city right now.
Significantly cleaner air than a typical city. Ideal for outdoor exercise with minimal respiratory strain.
Not a pollutant. Ozone is naturally higher at altitude and near the coast, and lower in cities where traffic exhaust breaks it down. High readings here typically indicate clean air. Can cause short-term airway irritation during intense exercise but is not linked to the long-term health risks of particulate pollution.
Additive health score: each pollutant contributes points relative to its WHO 2021 guideline and long-term health impact (PM2.5 9, NOโ 5, Oโ 3, PM10 2, SOโ 1 at WHO limits). Data via Open-Meteo. City markers show live readings. Red line marks the WHO guideline. Updated 15:24
Moderate water clarity: ~6m visibility
Daily scores over the last 12 months at Mullaghmore Head
Historical quality only. Safety is not reconstructed for this view.
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Create Profile โPartly. The model uses stored spot geometry, swell ranges and tide preferences where configured. It cannot see changing banks, crowds, access, closures or everything visible on a local cam, so treat it as a starting point.
The best week for surf at Mullaghmore Head is the week of 30 November (score 3/5) with low crowds.
This guide was generated from conditions data. Know this spot? Submit your own tips below.
Mullaghmore Head is one of Europe's premier big-wave spots, a massive slab that breaks over a rocky shelf at the end of a dramatic headland in County Sligo. The wave produces enormous, thick-lipped barrels on XXL swells that have earned it global recognition. It is strictly a tow-in and big-wave-capable paddle-in venue, not a spot for normal surfing. The cliffs and castle above provide a spectacular viewing platform.
Needs a massive north-westerly groundswell (10ft+ open ocean). A southerly offshore wind holds up the giant faces. Best at mid to high tide. Works a handful of times per winter when major Atlantic storms track correctly. This is a wave measured in multiples of overhead. It needs exceptional conditions.
The wave breaks at the end of the headland over a defined section of reef. Only experienced big-wave surfers with water safety support should paddle out. Jet ski assistance is standard. The take-off is at a specific point on the reef; local big-wave knowledge is essential.
Extreme. Massive, powerful waves breaking over shallow rock. Getting caught inside means being held down by tonnes of water. Currents are incredibly strong. The cliff and rock coast offer no easy exit in an emergency. Drowning risk is real. Only big-wave-experienced surfers with full safety teams should surf here.
Park at the harbour or headland road. The cliff provides viewing. Water access is from the harbour via jet ski or a long paddle from the bay. Not a walk-up-and-surf spot.
A handful of dedicated big-wave surfers. The level required means fewer than 20 people in the world regularly surf here. Sessions involve safety crews, photographers, and filmmakers. It is a production rather than a casual surf.
If you are reading this as a guide to surfing Mullaghmore, you almost certainly should not surf Mullaghmore. Watching from the headland on a big day is extraordinary and one of surfing's great spectacles. The nearby breaks (Bundoran, Easkey, Strandhill) offer world-class surf at human scale. The harbour pub is where stories are told after big sessions.
Surf at Mullaghmore Head
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Combining historical conditions with school holiday crowd pressure to find the sweet spot.
The timing score combines two signals: historical conditions quality (how good the skiing or surfing typically is in a given week, based on 5 years of weather data) and crowd pressure (how many of this destination's feeder markets have school holidays that week).
Crowd pressure is weighted by each feeder country's share of visitors. If 40% of a resort's visitors come from France and France is on holiday, that contributes 0.40 to the crowd pressure score. Crowds can reduce the timing score by up to 35%, ensuring conditions still matter most.
Scores: 5 = great conditions with low crowds (the sweet spot). 4 = great conditions with moderate crowds, or good conditions with low crowds. 3 = average. 2 = below average conditions or very crowded. 1 = poor conditions or peak holiday chaos.
Last 30 days of logged conditions.
Based on historical weekly averages
Conditions at Mullaghmore Head tend to be best between 06:00 to 09:00 in July.
Average score during this window: 10/100
See timing scores, school holiday busyness, and lift pass pricing to find the best time to book.
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