Carrickfinn (Kincasslagh)
- Freeride, Bodyboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Small waves
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Carrickfinn (Kincasslagh) is a fairly exposed Atlantic beach break with inconsistent surf and no particular seasonal pattern. The break is described as a beach break with both left and right waves, and it tends to work best around high tide. Surf conditions are easily altered by wind—offshore winds from the east-southeast are preferred, while onshore winds can blow the surf out. Water quality is reported as crystal-clear/Excellent in the Carrickfinn area (Blue Flag status), but the water is very cold and typically requires a winter wetsuit setup. Local guidance emphasizes wearing a hood, gloves, and boots, especially for less experienced surfers in colder conditions. Safety at this spot is strongly influenced by the beach’s immediate relationship to Donegal Airport. There are strict exclusion zones near the runway, and visitors are cautioned not to fly kites or drones close to the flight path. In addition, there can be moderate shore break and possible offshore reef breaks, plus tidal currents in inlet channels—so entry and navigation need extra care. Crowd levels are reported as uncrowded/quiet year-round. Overall, Carrickfinn is positioned as a mellow beach-break environment when conditions line up—particularly offshore east-southeast wind with suitable tide—while other sports (kitesurfing, windsurfing, and wingfoiling) can also work depending on the wind direction and depth near shore at low tide.
- High tide is the best time for surfing conditions
- Offshore east-southeast winds help keep waves cleaner
- Very cold water—winter suit is expected
- Airport runway exclusion zones and aircraft awareness are critical
- Offshore-preferred east-southeast winds can clean up wave conditions
- Low crowd level reported year-round
- Wide sandy beach with easy access for setup/launching
- Blue Flag-level water quality in the immediate Carrickfinn area
- Inconsistent surf with no strong seasonal pattern
- Cold water
- Airport runway proximity and strict exclusion zones
- Moderate shore break and possible offshore reef breaks
- Tidal currents in inlet areas
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- ESE, SE
- Offshore directions
- ESE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Mix of conditions; spot guidance indicates offshore-preferred winds from the east-southeast.
- Reliability
- 69% blown, 23% clean (surf-forecast.com baseline)
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusting reported.
- Best Months
- January, February, March
- Shadow Zones
- Hills/islands to the west can cause some turbulence in certain directions.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Small surf described; can require larger swells to reach shore.
- Launch
- Small — Beach launch with space for setup; area near the airport fence is restricted.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Easy beach launch; spacious sandy beach for setup.
Through the year
Quiet in winter; can be busy with families in July and August.
Winter months are prone to heavy rain and storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Good for kitesurfing, especially in North or West winds; wide flat beach can suit beginners when the swell is small. Airport runway proximity requires strict attention to exclusion zones.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Suitable for windsurfing in cross-shore conditions; water stays relatively flat behind headlands unless there is a large swell.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–6.5 m²
Excellent for wingfoiling due to sandy bottom and generally clean water, but monitor depth near shore at low tide.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Fairly exposed beach break with inconsistent surf and no particular seasonal pattern; offers left and right waves and works best around high tide. A mellow, relatively accessible beach-break character; can require a larger swell to reach the shore.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- NW, W
- Swell Height
- 1.5–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- High
- Shelter
- Exposed — Described as exposed; no shelter from cross-shore breezes.
- Wind Effect
- East and Southeast winds provide offshore conditions for cleaner waves; onshore winds can blow the surf out.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds small to moderate swells, but can become messy and easily blown out by onshore winds; needs a larger swell to reach shore (other conditions can overwhelm the break).
- Wave Quality
- Poor — Quality reported as poor/average depending on conditions.
- Wave Power
- Soft
- Wave Shape
- Mushy
- Peel Speed
- Slow — Mushy, slow peeling described for the break.
- Ride Length
- Short — Typical beach break rides, often better on the pushing tide.
- Ride Length Details
- Typical beach break rides; can be better on the pushing tide.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Carrickfinn (Kincasslagh) in the full forecast view.
Carrickfinn (Kincasslagh) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 8–38 ktsGusts 64 kts
- Direction
- SW235°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2438 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.3–8.5 m10s period
- Temperature
- 7–15 °C
Over the next 7 days, Carrickfinn (Kincasslagh) is forecast for daytime winds of 8–38 kts, peaking around 38 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 64 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 1.3–8.5 m with a period of about 10s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Moderate shore break
- Offshore reef breaks possible
- Airport runway proximity (exclusion zones near the flight path)
- Tidal currents in inlet channels
- Cold water
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is Letterkenny University Hospital; emergency numbers 999 or 112.
Rules of the spot
Strict exclusion zones apply near the Donegal Airport runway; do not fly kites or drones in the immediate vicinity of the flight path. Check offshore/nearshore reef breaks before entry and be cautious around tidal currents in inlets.
- No kitesurfing directly in front of the airport runway
- No flying kites or drones in the immediate vicinity of the flight path
- Best conditions for surfing come with offshore-preferred east-southeast winds; onshore can blow the surf out.
- Check the airport flight schedule to be extra aware of low-flying aircraft.
- Check offshore reefs before entering the water.
- Avoid restricted areas near the runway.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Falcarragh (approx. 8 km)
- Nearest Town
- Glencolmcille
- Nearest Airport
- Donegal Airport (CFN)
- Parking
- Public parking is available near the beach and airport terminal.
- Access
- Direct beach access from Carrickfinn Beach; road access via the R259 with the beach at the end of the road passing Donegal Airport.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English, Irish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Bed and breakfasts in Kincasslagh and Annagry; hotels in Gweedore.
- Food & Drink
- Small café at the airport terminal; pubs and restaurants in the wider nearby area.
- Equipment Rental:
- Limited on-site rental for wind-specific gear reported as limited; however, an on-site watersports provider is listed as having surfing rental availability in the enrichment results.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Often described as the most scenic airport approach, with views over white sands and turquoise waters of the Carrickfinn area.
County Donegal’s highest peak, providing panoramic views over the Atlantic coast.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Carrickfinn (Kincasslagh)?
The best overall months at Carrickfinn (Kincasslagh) are January. The best wind months are January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Carrickfinn (Kincasslagh)?
Carrickfinn (Kincasslagh) works with ESE, SE winds. Offshore directions are ESE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Carrickfinn (Kincasslagh)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Carrickfinn (Kincasslagh): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5–6.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Carrickfinn (Kincasslagh) suitable for?
Carrickfinn (Kincasslagh) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Intermediate.