Doonbeg – Castle Reef

Doonbeg · Ireland West · Ireland

Today’s forecast: the current surf forecast for Doonbeg – Castle Reef (wave height, swell, wind, tide and a 0–10 rating for every hour of the next 16 days) are only shown on SurfCams. They change every hour, so this text doesn’t contain them. To check today’s surf, open https://surf-cams.com/spot/doonbeg-doonmore-castle.

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A hollow left-hand reef breaking over a rock ledge below the ruins of Doonmore Castle, on the western shore of Doonbeg Bay. Most swells pass the bay by. It takes a big north-west swell, one that is already too big for the rest of the coast, to make it break.

Level
Advanced
Break
Reef break, rock
Waves
Lefts
Crowd
Quiet
Season
autumn, winter
Boards
A shortboard or step-up.

When it works

✓ A big north-west swell with a south-west wind, from mid to high tide on the push.

When it doesn't

✕ Normal swells don't reach it; summer is mostly flat.

Watch out for

  • rocks
  • rips

Best months

January, February, November, December

Local tips

Save it for stormy days when every other spot is too big. The water over the reef is shallow, and strong currents build as the waves get bigger.

Getting there

Take the Killard road from Doonbeg towards the castle and park by the slipway (free roadside parking).

Travel notes

How often it works
Only works on big north-west swells, so it breaks a few times a winter.
Crowd and vibe
Rarely more than a few surfers.
Camping and vans
Strand Camping Doonbeg (20 pitches, open late January to early November) is on the Killard road by Doonbeg Bay.
Facilities
Roadside parking only. Shops and pubs are in Doonbeg.
Water quality
Not an EPA-monitored bathing water. White Strand, on the same bay, was rated Excellent by the EPA in 2025.

Ideal conditions

Swell
WNW–NNW best, W–NNW works
Size
2.5–4 m offshore swell; starts at 1.8 m, holds to 5.5 m
Period
11 s minimum, best from 14 s
Wind
Offshore SSW–WSW; handles onshore up to 10 km/h
Tide
mid, high best, avoid low, on the rising tide
Faces
NNE (30°)

Live cam

No cam at this spot yet: the forecast and the guide are on the map.

Nearby spots

All spots in Ireland West · All spots

Sources