Portrush
United Kingdom · Atlantic Europe
Right now
DrizzleWind and swell direction
Swell: 0.1m NNW
Wind: 2 km/h NNE (onshore)
Beach faces: NNW
Very light wind. Expect glassy, clean conditions.
Swell is arriving at a great angle for this beach.
Today hour by hour
Updated 12:45Expected crowds
Prediction model v16amDawn patrol territory
7amMidweek quiet
Next 7 days
Forecast via Open-MeteoWhat to pack
- Cold water (11°C). 5/4mm wetsuit, booties and gloves.
- Small waves expected. Longboard or fish to make the most of it.
- Strong winds on some days. Check the forecast each morning.
Today's briefing
0.2m swell at 8s. Moderate winds. Water temperature 10°C.
AI-generated summary for Portrush. Always check local reports before heading out.
Forecast accuracy at Portrush
Not enough data yet. Log a session to help build the accuracy score.
Best time to go
No great windows in the next 2 days
Best available option is Tomorrow around 7pm (score: 51). Conditions are below the Good threshold but may still be surfable.
Crowd report
No recent check-ins. Be the first to report.
Session journal
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Create free accountTide
Approximate modelSwell forecast
7-day forecastDaily score breakdown
This week is looking about average for late April.
Comparing the 7-day forecast to the last 5 years of marine data for the same week at Portrush.
What's driving it
Recent form
Last 3 days of logged conditions.
About Portrush
Portrush, encompassing beaches such as East Strand and West Strand, offers highly consistent beach breaks situated on the dramatic northern coastline of Northern Ireland. The bathymetry is defined by sweeping expanses of compacted sand that create multiple shifting sandbanks along the bays. Facing northwards, the region acts as a massive swell magnet, capturing unattenuated north-westerly groundswells from the deep Atlantic. A southerly offshore wind is required to structure the wave faces and counteract the frequently severe marine weather. Because the sandy gradient is moderate, the waves generally spill nicely, generating highly workable, predictable A-frame peaks. This highly functional bathymetry makes Portrush perfectly suited for intermediate surfers. It provides reliable, long walls ideal for practising speed generation and carving manoeuvres in frigid water. The sheer size of the beaches ensures the line-up remains diffuse, providing a safe, high-quality environment for progression amidst a highly rugged coastal setting.
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Create Profile →Frequently asked questions
How often is this page updated?
Current conditions refresh every 6 hours when the cron runs. Hourly data updates every 30 minutes. The 7-day forecast, luck factor, and packing notes are all pre-computed at the same time.
What is the luck factor?
We compare the 7-day forecast to the last 5 years of marine data for the same week at Portrush. The delta tells you whether conditions are shaping up better, worse, or about the same as a typical late April.
How is 'best session' picked?
We score each day of the 7-day forecast using the same algorithm as the leaderboard, and highlight the highest scorer.
Where does the data come from?
Open-Meteo's Marine API (swell height, period, water temperature) and Weather API (wind and conditions).
Does the score capture local knowledge?
Honestly, no. Every break has tide windows, swell directions and reef contours that a global model cannot see. Treat the score as a starting point, then check a local cam.
When is the best time to surf Portrush?
Check our timing score heatmap above for a week-by-week breakdown combining surf conditions with crowd pressure.