A 3 km sweep of flat, golden sand on the inside of Donegal Bay, a short drive north of Bundoran. Tucked into the bay, it's sheltered from the full force of the Atlantic, so the swell arrives as long, slow, rolling waves over a gently sloping sandbar. That makes it one of Ireland's best places to learn and a classic longboard wave, with surf schools on the beach. Best from spring to autumn with light easterly winds.
🌡️ ~13.7°C now · a 4/3mm full suit, boots recommended
Beginner: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Intermediate: Jan, Feb, Mar, Aug, Oct, Nov, Dec
Advanced: not suitable for this level
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New spots, best-month tips and the local crews at Rossnowlagh. Tag us in your clips and we'll share them.
Beginner: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Intermediate: Jan, Feb, Mar, Aug, Oct, Nov, Dec
Advanced: not suitable for this level
All-time average wind & swell
Dashed line marks Rossnowlagh's known offshore direction. Bright arrow is the all-time average swell direction, colored arrow is the all-time average wind direction at 17 km/h — hover or tap either arrow for exact values.
Monthly avg wave height (ft)
Monthly avg wind speed (km/h)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 8° | 8° | 8° | 10° | 13° | 15° | 17° | 17° | 16° | 14° | 12° | 10° |
Averages from 3 years of daily wave, wind and water temperature data — what a typical year looks like, not a forecast.
Waves average 6.1 ft (1.9 m), with cross-onshore winds around 17 km/h from the SW. Water is ~8°C: a 5/4mm or 6/5mm hooded full suit with boots, gloves and hood. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 6.7 ft (2.0 m), with cross-onshore winds around 20 km/h from the S. Water is ~8°C: a 5/4mm or 6/5mm hooded full suit with boots, gloves and hood. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 4.4 ft (1.3 m), with offshore winds around 16 km/h from the SE. Water is ~8°C: a 5/4mm or 6/5mm hooded full suit with boots, gloves and hood. A best month for beginners and intermediates.
Waves average 3.5 ft (1.1 m), with cross-offshore winds around 16 km/h from the SE. Water is ~10°C: a 4/3mm or 5/4mm full suit with boots and gloves. A best month for beginners.
Waves average 3.2 ft (1.0 m), with onshore winds around 12 km/h from the NW. Water is ~13°C: a 4/3mm full suit, boots recommended. A best month for beginners.
Waves average 3.6 ft (1.1 m), with onshore winds around 16 km/h from the SW. Water is ~15°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for beginners.
Waves average 3.4 ft (1.0 m), with onshore winds around 15 km/h from the W. Water is ~17°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for beginners.
Waves average 4.3 ft (1.3 m), with cross-onshore winds around 18 km/h from the SW. Water is ~17°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for beginners and intermediates.
Waves average 4.3 ft (1.3 m), with cross-onshore winds around 16 km/h from the S. Water is ~16°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for beginners.
Waves average 4.6 ft (1.4 m), with cross-offshore winds around 18 km/h from the S. Water is ~14°C: a 4/3mm full suit, boots recommended. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 4.9 ft (1.5 m), with cross-onshore winds around 16 km/h from the S. Water is ~12°C: a 4/3mm or 5/4mm full suit with boots and gloves. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 7.2 ft (2.2 m), with cross-onshore winds around 20 km/h from the S. Water is ~10°C: a 4/3mm or 5/4mm full suit with boots and gloves. A best month for intermediates.
For beginners: Mar–Sep. For intermediates: Aug, Oct–Mar. The biggest waves come in December, averaging 7.2 ft (2.2 m), and the smallest in May, at 3.2 ft (1.0 m).
It ranges from ~8°C in February to ~17°C in August, averaged over 3 years of daily readings.
In February (~8°C): a 5/4mm or 6/5mm hooded full suit with boots, gloves and hood. In August (~17°C): a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional.
Yes. The best months for beginners are Mar–Sep, when waves average around 3.8 ft (1.2 m).
The nearest airport is NOC (limited connections), and the nearest town is Rossnowlagh, Ireland. Many surfers fly into Dublin (DUB) instead, about 230 km or 3 hours' drive away.
