Cream/Green Point (Spanish Point)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Chop, Shallow, Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Cream/Green Point (Spanish Point) is a heavy, ledgey reef break known for hollow, fast, powerful waves and long rides. The wave is described as hollow with strong wall sections and reef-rocky characteristics, and it can hold size up to around 4 m (and beyond on bigger days). Optimal performance is tied to west/northwest/south swell with low tide favored for the take-off/line-up. Access and conditions are a major part of what makes this spot serious. The break requires a minimum long paddle (reported as 15–20 minutes, with special access rules stating paddle > 20 minutes or a boat). Hazards are consistently emphasized: sharp reef/rocks, shallow water over the reef ledges, coral/urchins, and strong currents with an isolated, remote feel once you commit past the rock line. Because of the shallow reef and the way the wave breaks, the sport suitability is firmly expert-only. Local guidance frames it as pros or kamikaze only and explicitly notes it is not a place for learning, with a very sensitive take-off zone. Wind is generally less reliable for steady progression since the location is primarily swell-driven, but East/Southeast wind is described as helping groom the face and hold the barrel open. In practice, the crowd is reported as rarely crowded/empty, largely due to the high difficulty and restricted access. When the swell and tide line up, the spot delivers “regional classic” wave quality with ride lengths commonly reported in the 150–300 m range (and longer, up to ~300–500 m on optimal days), making it a high-reward location for advanced surfers who can manage the reef hazards and currents.
- Hollow, fast, powerful ledgey reef break
- Long ride potential (often 150–300 m; longer on optimal days)
- Low-tide best; swell from west/northwest/south
- Rarely crowded due to access difficulty
- Hollow, fast, powerful wave with long rides.
- Wave quality described as excellent / regional classic.
- Rarely crowded due to difficulty and access.
- Expert/pro-only: described as pros or kamikaze only.
- Shallow reef with sharp rocks/coral and hazards including urchins.
- Long paddle/limited access (paddle > 20 minutes or boat).
- Strong currents and isolation increase risk.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, ESE
- Offshore directions
- E, ESE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind described as frontal; influenced by North Atlantic systems.
- Reliability
- Low for sports requiring steady wind; mainly swell-driven.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- March, April, September, October, November
- Shadow Zones
- High cliffs to the south can create wind shadows in certain southerly conditions.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Shallow, Ocean
- Beach
- Mixed — Concrete and rocks reported across sources.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Big — Works from about 1.5–2 m and can hold up to around 4 m+.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Wind/water described as chop at the spot.
- Launch
- Medium — Rocky shoreline; long paddle out from Spanish Point or nearby access points.
Through the year
Rarely crowded due to difficulty and skill required.
Winter months are prone to heavy Atlantic storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Only very occasionally used for extreme wave windsurfing; described as extremely dangerous due to shallow reef and rocks.
- Sail Sizes
- 4–5 m²
A demanding, ledgey reef break producing hollow sections and fast, powerful walls. Wave works best on low tide and with swell from the west/northwest/south.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NW, W, S
- Swell Height
- 1.5–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Low tide only; rising and falling tides can still change conditions.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Offshore wind from the East or Southeast grooms the face and helps hold the barrel open.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size up to about 4 m and can become a very heavy ledge wave (reported to hold up to 4 m+ / 12 ft).
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Regional classic; excellent wave quality reported.
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Hollow, fast, powerful, ledgey reef-rocky wave.
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Long — Long rides reported from 150 to 300 m; up to 300 to 500 m on optimal days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 150–300 m
- Ride Length Details
- Long, with reports of approximately 150 to 300 m and up to 500 m on optimal days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Cream/Green Point (Spanish Point) in the full forecast view.
Cream/Green Point (Spanish Point) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 10–37 ktsGusts 54 kts
- Direction
- WSW241°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2437 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.2–5.7 m10s period
- Temperature
- 10–16 °C
Over the next 7 days, Cream/Green Point (Spanish Point) is forecast for daytime winds of 10–37 kts, peaking around 37 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 54 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 1.2–5.7 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
- Urchins
- Rocks
- Reef
- Coral
- Sharp reef
- Shallow water
- Strong currents
- Isolation
- Long paddle out
- Seaweed
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Spot-level reports indicate no rescue for the break itself; regional emergency maritime rescue is available via Irish Coast Guard (and nearby RNLI).
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is in Ennis; emergency maritime rescue coordinated by Irish Coast Guard (units based in Doolin; RNLI in Kilrush). Emergency numbers: 112 or 999.
- Localism / Vibe
- Heavy — Access and crowd are described as pros/kamikaze only and locally controlled; rarely crowded.
Rules of the spot
Skill level is for pros or kamikaze only; respect the local crew at this sensitive reef break.
- Special access: paddle > 20 minutes or boat.
- Long paddle out / boat recommended by local access rules.
- Requires a minimum 15-20 minute paddle to reach the peak.
- Works best on a low tide (low tide only; rising and falling tides can still affect conditions).
- Not a place for learning; reef is very shallow at the take-off zone.
- Pros or kamikaze only.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Limerick
- Nearest Town
- Spanish Point
- Nearest Airport
- Shannon Airport (SNN)
- Parking
- Public parking available at Spanish Point beach.
- Public Transport
- Local bus services connect the area to Ennis and Limerick; frequency is limited; a car is highly recommended.
- Access
- Access described as parking at Spanish Point beach with a walk/paddle north toward the point; special access requires paddle > 20 minutes or a boat.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Hotels and B&Bs available in Spanish Point and nearby areas.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurants and bars available in Spanish Point.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental described as available at the main Spanish Point beach but usually for beginners; bring your own high-performance gear for the point.
- Gear Storage
- Limited storage facilities are available through local surf schools; many visitors manage their own gear at accommodation.
- Gear Repair
- Yes
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Cream/Green Point (Spanish Point)?
The best overall months at Cream/Green Point (Spanish Point) are September, October, November, April, March. The best wind months are March, April, September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Cream/Green Point (Spanish Point)?
Cream/Green Point (Spanish Point) works with E, ESE winds. Offshore directions are E, ESE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Cream/Green Point (Spanish Point)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Cream/Green Point (Spanish Point): Windsurfing: 4–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Cream/Green Point (Spanish Point) suitable for?
Cream/Green Point (Spanish Point) suits these riding levels: Windsurfing: Expert · Surfing: Expert.