Clogherhead (Clogherhead Beach)
- Bodyboard, Beginners
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Chop
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Clogherhead (Clogherhead Beach) is a sheltered east-coast beach break where surf is highly dependent on swell direction. Multiple descriptions emphasize that it often needs a substantial South or South-East swell to wrap around the headland to produce usable waves. On suitable days, the break is described as offering both lefts and rights with generally good (though sometimes only average) wave quality. Ride lengths are typically short—normally under 50 meters—with the working swell window commonly cited as starting around 1.0–1.5 m. Sources also note that while larger swells can be handled, the waves may close out if the direction becomes too direct. Wind conditions matter: West and North-West winds are described as offshore and can groom the waves. One provider also notes ideal winds are from the northwest with some shelter from north winds due to the headland. Overall wind reliability is described as low, with a typical range around 10–25 knots during the best months reported for wind (autumn into winter). Safety is a key theme. Rips/undertow and rocks—especially at the northern end near the headland—are recurring hazards, and pollution is explicitly flagged. Water quality issues can also be more likely after heavy rain. Lifeguards are seasonal, and visitors should respect swimming zones during summer months when lifeguards are on duty.
- Sheltered beach-break that can offer lefts and rights when swell wraps correctly.
- Best surf tied to South/South-East swell and offshore NW/W winds.
- Often uncrowded even when it’s working.
- Sheltered beach break with generally easy access to a sandy launch area.
- When it works, it offers both lefts and rights.
- Typically short rides; wave quality described as good.
- Low weekday crowd is reported even when conditions are working.
- Works infrequently and can require a strong South/South-East swell to wrap around the headland.
- Pollution is reported as a hazard; water quality issues can occur after heavy rain.
- Rips/undertow and rocks (especially near the northern end) can create hazards.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNE, E, ESE, SE
- Offshore directions
- NW, WNW
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Gradient — Frontal/gradient-type wind noted by providers; offshore-friendly when NW.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Gustiness described as moderate.
- Best Months
- October, November, December, January
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Small wave size described by providers.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — One provider describes chop; another indicates small-waves conditions.
- Launch
- Big — Wide sandy beach with ample space during low to mid tide.
Through the year
Quiet on weekdays; can become busy with families and swimmers on sunny summer weekends.
Late autumn and winter bring the most frequent storm activity and swell; rain can occur year-round.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Occasionally used for kitesurfing in South-East or Easterly winds; more commonly used for surfing.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Suitable for wingfoiling when wind is strong enough; stay clear of the rocks at the northern end.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly conditions reported when sufficient depth is available.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 5–6 m²
Sheltered beach break that requires a substantial South or South-East swell to wrap around the headland; when it works it can offer both lefts and rights.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSE
- Swell Height
- 1–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Works at any tide stage; some sources also note a preference for rising tide.
- Shelter
- Sheltered — Sheltered from north winds/headland sheltering effects; effectively semi-sheltered depending on swell wrapping.
- Wind Effect
- West or North-West winds are offshore and groom the waves.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle larger swells but may close out if the direction is too direct.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality described as good; another provider notes average.
- Wave Power
- Soft — Described as soft/low energy by one provider; another provider describes moderate power for the spot’s typical usable conditions.
- Wave Shape
- Mushy — Provider describes mushy shape at times.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Provider notes medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Short — Typical ride length is short.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical rides are less than 50 meters; one source gives 30–50 meters when conditions line up.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Clogherhead (Clogherhead Beach) in the full forecast view.
Clogherhead (Clogherhead Beach) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–28 ktsGusts 46 kts
- Direction
- SW220°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2428 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.2–1.3 m3s period
- Temperature
- 8–16 °C
Over the next 7 days, Clogherhead (Clogherhead Beach) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–28 kts, peaking around 28 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 46 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.2–1.3 m with a period of about 3s. 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
- Rips / undertow
- Pollution
- Rocks
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards are seasonal.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Yes — RNLI provides 24/7 search and rescue coverage for the Louth coastline (regional baseline).
- Emergency Info
- Emergency numbers: 999 or 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Sources describe no notable localism.
Rules of the spot
Respect swimming zones during summer months when lifeguards are on duty.
- Works infrequently and tends to stay uncrowded even when it’s running.
- Beware rips/undertow and pollution.
- For the cleanest conditions, wait for a strong South swell.
- Rocks at the northern end near the headland can create more defined peaks and also require extra care.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Drogheda
- Nearest Town
- Clogherhead village
- Parking
- Public parking available directly at the beach access points.
- Access
- Accessible via the M1 Dublin/Belfast motorway. Take the road from Drogheda to Termonfeckin and continue to Clogherhead village. Public beach with instant access (<5 min walk). Parking available at beach access points.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Guesthouses and holiday rentals available in Clogherhead and Termonfeckin; additional accommodation in nearby Drogheda.
- Food & Drink
- Several pubs and restaurants are located in Clogherhead village, noted for fresh seafood.
- Equipment Rental:
- No dedicated rental shops are indicated on the beach; equipment rental is mainly available via regional mobile schools depending on wind conditions.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A working fishing port with scenic views and fresh local seafood.
A UNESCO World Heritage site featuring prehistoric passage tombs.
A scenic coastal cliff walk with panoramic views.
A local gastropub known for its atmosphere and seafood.
A family-friendly farm experience a short drive inland.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Clogherhead (Clogherhead Beach)?
The best overall months at Clogherhead (Clogherhead Beach) are January, February, March, October, November, December. The best wind months are October, November, December, January.
Which wind directions work at Clogherhead (Clogherhead Beach)?
Clogherhead (Clogherhead Beach) works with N, NNE, E, ESE, SE winds. Offshore directions are NW, WNW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Clogherhead (Clogherhead Beach)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Clogherhead (Clogherhead Beach): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Wingfoiling: 5–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–25 kts.
What skill level is Clogherhead (Clogherhead Beach) suitable for?
Clogherhead (Clogherhead Beach) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.