Garretstown

Kinsale · Ireland South · Ireland

Today’s forecast: the current surf forecast for Garretstown (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/garretstown.

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Two sandy beaches with rocky reefs around them, west of Kinsale and within easy reach of Cork city. Any swell from the south or south-west finds its way in, and the west beach usually has bigger waves. With well-shaped sandbanks, it gives short, punchy wedges that are fun to ride.

Level
Beginners
Break
Beach break, sand and rock
Waves
Lefts and rights
Crowd
Some company
Season
autumn, winter, spring
Boards
A shortboard or fish; a foam board for learning.

When it works

✓ A south-west swell of 1–2 m with a north or north-east wind, at low to mid tide.

When it doesn't

✕ High tide: the waves get weak, and the rusty iron stumps of old groynes halfway along the beach become dangerous. Summer is often flat.

Watch out for

  • rocks
  • rips

Best months

January, February, March, September, October, November, December

Local tips

Stay out at high tide because of the old groynes. There is a strong current at the west end. The east beach is worth a look on very big swells.

Getting there

Signed from Kinsale, on the R604. You can park free just behind the beach, in the car park or on the road.

Travel notes

How often it works
Very consistent for the south coast in autumn, winter and spring.
Crowd and vibe
On small days the surf school brings lots of beginners. The rest of the time the line-up is quiet.
Facilities
Car park, toilets, a summer lifeguard (EPA) and a surf school on site.
Water quality
Rated Excellent by the EPA in 2025 and holds a Blue Flag. Garrylucas (White Strand), next door, is also Excellent.

Ideal conditions

Swell
SSW–WSW best, SSE–W works
Size
0.9–2 m offshore swell; starts at 0.5 m, holds to 3 m
Period
9 s minimum, best from 12 s
Wind
Offshore N–NE; handles onshore up to 10 km/h
Tide
low, mid best, avoid high, on the rising tide
Faces
SSW (195°)

Live cam

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

In the guides

Nearby spots

All spots in Ireland South · All spots

Sources