Rossnowlagh Surf Report
Rossnowlagh — surf & tide guide
Rossnowlagh is a beach in Donegal, Ireland. It works best on a WSW–NW swell with ENE–SE winds blowing offshore. The beach faces W. Ideal size is 0.6–2.5 m at 9–15 s.
- Break type
- Beach break
- Best swell
- WSW–NW · 0.6–2.5m
- Best wind
- ENE–SE offshore
- Best tide
- Most tides
- Best period
- 9–15s
- Skill level
- Beginner+
- Best season
- Sep–Apr
- Parking
- Beach access
long, mellow peaks · all levels · summer works too · drive-on at low tide — check conditions.
Rossnowlagh has semidiurnal (two highs a day) tides with an approximate large range of 4.2 m. Forgiving at most tides. More Donegal spots →
About Rossnowlagh
Rossnowlagh is a long, sandy west-facing beach on the south Donegal coast, tucked into Donegal Bay. It's one of the most forgiving waves in the country - mellow, slow-breaking peaks shift up and down a 3 km strand, and the wave rarely turns nasty. That makes it a regular pick for beginners, families and intermediates looking for a low-stress session.
The Rossnowlagh Surf Club, founded in the late 1960s, sits right on the beach and is widely credited as Ireland's first surf club. The annual Intercounties event has been held here for decades. Cars are typically allowed onto the sand at lower tides - check the conditions before you drive on.
Hazards & Notes
- Soft, sandy bottom - gentle by Irish standards but still cold water
- Watch for swimmers and bodyboarders in summer
- If driving on the beach, mind the tide - vehicles do get stuck
- Bigger NW swells can produce surprisingly heavy closeouts
14-Day Forecast
Tap any day for hourly detail.
Other Donegal Spots
All conditions and 14-day forecast for every Donegal break: view the full Donegal page →