Dunworley (Lislevane)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Dunworley (Lislevane) is a sandy, exposed Atlantic beach break known for hollow, fast, and powerful surf, with both left and right waves. The spot is strongly sandbar- and tide-dependent: it typically works best around low and mid tide, and the beach is only accessible for a limited window centered on low tide (about three hours on either side).
- Very consistent surf frequency (about 150 days/year).
- Hollow, fast, powerful waves with both left and right options.
- Best hollow sections often found by checking the sandbars (especially toward the western end).
- Access and safety depend heavily on timing around low tide.
- Very consistent frequency (about 150 days/year) and dependable hollow, fast, powerful beach-break surf.
- Works from under 1 meter up to around 4 meters and beyond (4m+).
- Typically not crowded on weekdays; weekend crowds are limited.
- Very tide-dependent; beach access is only available around low tide.
- Rips/currents and rocks/reefs at either end increase risk.
- Conditions can become heavy on bigger swell and when rips intensify.
- No lifeguard presence described.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NE, W, E, S
- Offshore directions
- E, N, NE
- Wind Type
- Trade — Wind type described as trade; also noted offshore ideal from the east and works with West/Southwest swell.
- Reliability
- Very consistent
- Gust Factor
- Heavy gusts — Providers describe heavy gustiness at the spot.
- Best Months
- March, April, May, September, October, November
- Shadow Zones
- Shelter/turbulence variability described around the cliffs; north winds can be sheltered but high surrounding cliffs can create a wind shadow/turbulence.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy bottom with shifting sandbars.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Big — Described from less than 1 meter up to 4m+.
- Launch
- Medium — Beach access down to a narrow sandy beach; access is limited to ~3 hours on either side of low tide.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Tide and access window make launching/staging moderately difficult.
Through the year
Quiet during winter; small local weekend crowd possible in summer.
Frequent Atlantic storms from October through March, often accompanied by heavy rain and high winds.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A-frame sandy beach break offering both left and right waves with hollow, fast, powerful surf that is highly tide-dependent and sandbar-driven.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, SW, S
- Swell Height
- 1–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low, Mid — Best at low and mid tide; only within the access window around low tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed coastal conditions; cliff/wind effects can add turbulence.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds (especially from the North/North-East and from the east ideal) groom the waves.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds up to around 4 meters but can become very heavy and prone to strong rips; works from under 1 meter up to 4 m+.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Regional classic / high-quality hollow beach break.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Described as hollow, fast, and powerful.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Known for hollow sections.
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Short — Short rides are noted, while another provider describes good-day rides typically between 50 and 150 meters.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Sources conflict slightly: one notes short rides (< 50 m), while another reports normal rides between 50 and 150 m on good days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Dunworley (Lislevane) in the full forecast view.
Dunworley (Lislevane) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 7–31 ktsGusts 49 kts
- Direction
- WSW237°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2431 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–4.2 m8s period
- Temperature
- 9–16 °C
Over the next 7 days, Dunworley (Lislevane) is forecast for daytime winds of 7–31 kts, peaking around 31 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 49 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.9–4.2 m with a period of about 8s. 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
- Rip currents
- Rocks
- Reef
- Tidal entrapment
- Cliffs
- Rocks and reefs at both ends of the bay
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards described.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Yes — Regional rescue availability is described; spot-level rescue is not specified as on-site.
- Emergency Info
- In an emergency dial 999 or 112; rescue is available in the region via Irish Coast Guard helicopter/boat rescue services.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Regional guidance indicates mild localism.
Rules of the spot
Only surf during the window around low tide; the beach can be completely covered at high tide and cliffs/tidal conditions make this dangerous. Expect rip currents near rocks/reefs and avoid swimming/surfing outside the safe tide window.
- Do not enter at high tide; the beach can be fully covered and cliffs increase risk.
- Beach only accessible 3 hours on either side of low tide.
- Check sandbars at the western end for the best hollow sections.
- Very good sandbars in winter can produce consistently hollow surf.
- Line-up is often empty; summer can build to a handful of surfers.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Lislevane, County Cork
- Nearest Town
- Lislevane
- Parking
- Very limited parking near the slipway; can get crowded in summer (no specific parking lot details found).
- Access
- Beach only accessible 3 hours on either side of low tide; narrow road access to a small slipway and path down to the beach; take a car (instant walking access described).
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Guesthouses and holiday rentals are available in Lislevane and Butlerstown.
- Food & Drink
- Local pubs in Lislevane and Butlerstown offer food and drinks.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals at the beach described; closest shops are in Clonakilty.
- Gear Storage
- No dedicated public gear storage facilities described.
- Gear Repair
- Minor surf repairs available at regional surf shops (specialized wind/kite/sail repair may require a trip to Cork City or Dublin).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A quintessential West Cork landscape of rolling hills, dramatic cliffs, and hidden sandy coves—ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.
A scenic coastal driving route passing through the Seven Heads Peninsula.
Museum dedicated to the Irish revolutionary leader in nearby Clonakilty.
A network of scenic walking trails following the rugged coastline and cliffs.
Traditional gastropub located in Courtmacsherry serving local seafood.
A miniature village depicting West Cork life in the 1940s.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Dunworley (Lislevane)?
The best overall months at Dunworley (Lislevane) are March, April, May, September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Dunworley (Lislevane)?
Dunworley (Lislevane) works with N, NE, W, E, S winds. Offshore directions are E, N, NE.
What skill level is Dunworley (Lislevane) suitable for?
Dunworley (Lislevane) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.