Ireland ยท Atlantic Europe
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 Strandhill. 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).
Enough swell for a fun paddle. Nothing heroic, but enjoyable. Short-period chop. The waves lack any real push. Breezy. Some surface chop to deal with.
PeakWave scores are planning signals, not safety clearance. Check local authorities, official bulletins and on-site conditions before you go. Read our editorial policy.
Strandhill is a highly energetic, fully exposed beach break located on the west coast of County Sligo in Ireland. The bathymetric profile relies on a volatile matrix of shifting silica sandbanks mixed with scattered glacial boulders. Because the coastline faces directly west, it acts as a primary receptor for raw, unimpeded North Atlantic groundswells, capturing massive wave energy throughout the year. An easterly offshore wind is essential to groom the wave faces and hold up the steep peaks. The wave mechanics produce fast, punchy A-frames that offer rapid take-offs and heavy, plunging sections. Due to the high volume of water moving across the shallow sandbars, the wave generates substantial hydraulic force and extremely aggressive, sweeping rip currents that can quickly push surfers out of position. The intense pace of the wave requires rapid pop-ups, while the frigid water temperatures demand thick neoprene and robust physical endurance. Strandhill is best suited for intermediate to advanced surfers who can confidently negotiate powerful, shifting cold-water beach break conditions.
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 82% 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 15:00
Moderate water clarity: ~7m visibility
Daily scores over the last 12 months at Strandhill
Historical quality only. Safety is not reconstructed for this view.
Create a free profile and let employers in Strandhill find you.
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 Strandhill 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.
Strandhill is a powerful beach break on the Sligo coast of Ireland's northwest. The beach faces north-west into the full Atlantic, receiving swell with outstanding consistency. The waves are punchy, fast, and pack more power than typical beach breaks due to the direct ocean exposure. The village has a strong surf community with excellent facilities. Ben Bulben mountain provides a dramatic backdrop. One of Ireland's most popular and accessible surf beaches.
Picks up any north-westerly Atlantic swell. A south-easterly wind is offshore. Works on all tides with mid-tide often best for shape. Incredibly consistent from September through May, rarely going flat. The 3-6ft range is ideal. Handles bigger swells but becomes powerful. Summer has smaller but rideable waves.
Peaks form across the beach. The main section near the car park is most popular. Walking left (towards Knocknarea) reveals quieter peaks. The banks shift but the beach is reliably well-shaped year-round.
Powerful rip currents are common. The waves hit harder than typical beach breaks due to the direct Atlantic exposure. Cold water (5/4 essential). The rips here have caused problems; respect the ocean and do not overestimate your ability. Lifeguards in summer.
Free car park at the beach. Direct access to the sand. Surf shops, cafes, and changing rooms in the village. Excellent facilities for a small Irish village. The Shell's cafe is famous.
Busy by Irish standards. Good days see 20-30 people. Surf schools bring groups. The Sligo surf community is active. Weekends are busiest. The beach spreads people out. Friendly, social atmosphere.
Strandhill is consistently good and easily accessible. The rip currents are real; watch for them and do not fight them. The seaweed baths in the village are a post-surf luxury. Shell's cafe is an institution. If Strandhill is too powerful, Rosses Point (15 minutes) is more sheltered. Combine with a hike up Knocknarea for the views.
Surf at Strandhill
Your score
Forecast feel
Score this window against what you actually found.
No scored surf reviews in the last 24 hours.
No recent check-ins. Be the first to report.
Log a day
Add Strandhill to your private Companion record without GPS.
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 Strandhill tend to be best between 06:00 to 09:00 in July.
Average score during this window: 34/100
See timing scores, school holiday busyness, and lift pass pricing to find the best time to book.
View Best Time to Go โ