Rossnowlagh

Ireland North West · Ireland

Today’s forecast: the current surf forecast for Rossnowlagh (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/rossnowlagh.

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A 3 km west-facing beach deep inside Donegal Bay, between the Coolmore cliffs in the south and Durnesh in the north. The bay takes much of the power out of the swell, so the waves are smaller and gentler than at Bundoran. On a good day there are lots of easy peaks to choose from. It is one of the best family and learning beaches in the north-west.

Level
Beginners
Break
Beach break, sand
Waves
Lefts and rights
Crowd
Busy
Season
autumn, winter, spring, summer
Boards
A longboard, foam board or funboard most days; a fish when it gets bigger.

When it works

✓ A westerly swell of 1–2 m with an easterly wind, from mid tide up on a rising tide.

When it doesn't

✕ Low tide often closes out, and any westerly wind blows it out.

Watch out for

  • rips

Best months

April, May, June, July, August, September, October

Local tips

A rip runs along the cliffs at the south end, so surf away from it. Weever fish live in the shallows; drag your feet along the sand as you walk in. On stormy days with a huge swell, this sheltered beach may be the only place you can surf.

Getting there

Signed off the N15 between Ballyshannon and Donegal town. There are car parks by the beach, and you can drive onto the sand at some points.

Travel notes

How often it works
Moderately consistent. Its sheltered position means it needs more swell to start but stays manageable when the open coast is too big.
Crowd and vibe
Rarely crowded. People spread out along the long beach, and the mood is relaxed and family-friendly.
Camping and vans
Boortree Touring, for camper vans and touring caravans (22 pitches, open late March to late September), is a short walk from the beach. Nearest campsite about 0.5 km away.
Facilities
Car parks, toilets and a summer lifeguard (EPA); a hotel, cafés, surf schools and a surf shop by the beach.
Water quality
Rated Excellent by the EPA in 2025 and holds a Blue Flag.

Ideal conditions

Swell
W–NW best, SW–NNW works
Size
1–2 m offshore swell; starts at 0.6 m, holds to 2.8 m
Period
8 s minimum, best from 11 s
Wind
Offshore ENE–ESE; handles onshore up to 10 km/h
Tide
mid, high best, avoid low, on the rising tide
Faces
W (280°)

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 North West · All spots

Sources