Magheroarty - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The North Atlantic fires on all cylinders from October through March, delivering consistent, powerful swell to Magheroarty's NW-facing beach. Average wave heights hover between 2.6m and 3.6m with long periods often exceeding 12 seconds, thanks to a parade of intense extratropical cyclones rolling off the Labrador Sea. The downside? Onshore winds from the NW quadrant accompany many of these storms, limiting the 'clean' window. Still, when a high-pressure system parks over the British Isles, a crisp SE to S offshore flow transforms the beach into a world-class left point or beachbreak. These are the days you live for.

Fair Surf Season (April & September)

The transition months of April and September offer a compromise: solid swell (2.0-2.2m average) with a higher chance of favorable offshore winds (14-15% ideal). April sees the waning of winter's fury, but the N Atlantic still delivers regular WNW-NW pulses in the 10-14s range. September marks the ramp-up after summer, with the first major lows reawakening. Both months see a more balanced mix of swell directions, often with cleaner conditions as autumn lows stall south of Iceland.

Low Surf Season (May - August)

Summer arrives and the swell machine downshifts. Average heights drop to 1.5-1.8m and periods dip to 8-9s, typical of weaker, more distant swell sources. The dominant W and NW swell still reaches the coast, but you'll be hunting for sandbars to make the most of fun-sized, rippable waves. The silver lining: offshore wind frequency increases to 15-16%, offering plenty of groomed, glassy mornings. It's a great time for longboarding and fine-tuning your rail game, but don't expect to get pitted.

October: Autumn's Roar Begins

October is when the North Atlantic truly reawakens. Average swell height rises to 2.6m with 10.9s periods, driven by developing extratropical storms. The W (12.1%) and WNW (9.7) swell directions dominate, delivering powerful, heavy waves straight into the beach. The wind, however, becomes more challenging: ideal offshore drops to 11% as low-pressure systems bring frequent S to SW gales. Onshore NW-N winds also increase. The approach of a high-pressure ridge is your golden ticket – then you get clean, long-period surf with offshore winds.