Maghermore (Wicklow)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Flat
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Maghermore is an infrequent, weather-dependent beach break where performance hinges on getting the right swell wrap into the bay. When conditions line up, it offers reasonably friendly surf for beginners, but many sessions can end up flat—particularly outside the main swell/wind season. For surfing, the spot works best with a strong South or South-East swell and is described as peeling with relatively short, punchy rides (with sandbar configuration playing a major role). It’s also noted that strong South-influenced winds can be beneficial, while northerly conditions are a major warning sign. The environment is rugged: rocks at both ends and possible rip-current activity near the headlands (especially on larger swells) create real hazards, and emergency access is difficult because of the narrow/private path to the beach. Sources consistently recommend not paddling out alone and using other surfers as a safety buffer. Operationally, access is via gated private land off the R750 road, followed by a walk down a steep path. On-site facilities are limited to none at the beach itself, and visitors should plan for limited parking, carry out all rubbish, and avoid any restricted access behaviors (including no overnight camping or driving onto the beach).
- Reasonably exposed beach break that does not work very often
- Beginner-friendly when it runs, especially with South/South-East swell
- Offshore West and South-West winds groom waves
- Gated/private access with steep walk and limited parking
- Beginner-friendly when it does run, with peeling beach-break waves
- South/South-East swell wrap is the key to getting the bay to work
- Often described as clean when conditions align; offshore West/South-West winds groom the waves
- Works infrequently; often flat in summer
- Access involves private/gated land and a steep/narrow path; limited parking and no on-site facilities
- Not safe to paddle out alone; dangerous on a northerly swell and rip currents can occur
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, SW, NW
- Offshore directions
- W, SW, NW
- No-go directions
- N, NNE, NE, ENE
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Regional winds are predominantly frontal/gradient patterns; spot winds are described as frontal in the windier months.
- Reliability
- fair
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusts reported for the spot conditions.
- Best Months
- December, January, February, March, October, November, April, May
- Shadow Zones
- Significant wind shadow from cliffs in North-Westerly directions
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach with rocks near the headlands.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Small surf; flat in summer is also noted.
- Launch
- Big — Beach-launch/break with beach-entry characteristics (sources also describe it as easy).
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Launch difficulty reported as easy.
Through the year
Sometimes crowded; can be very crowded on sunny summer weekends while water is often flat; winter swells see moderate surf crowds.
Rain possible year-round; increased storm activity from November to February.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Possible during high tides when the swell is small and the wind is offshore, but limited by difficult gear transport to the water.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendliness reported as limited.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Beach-break that does not work very often; works best with a strong South or South-East swell wrap. When it fires, conditions are described as reasonably beginner-friendly with peeling, punchy waves (often flattens in summer).
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide referenced as optimal.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Described as semi-sheltered; also characterized as exposed as a beach break, with performance depending on swell wrap into the bay.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the West and South-West groom the waves perfectly; stronger South winds are also described as beneficial.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out when swells exceed 3 meters or during very low tides.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Average wave quality reported; generally clean when conditions align.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power reported.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling wave shape reported; also described as short, punchy rides depending on sandbar configuration.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling waves with medium peel speed reported.
- Ride Length
- Short — Ride length described as short.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–70 m
- Ride Length Details
- Short, punchy rides depending on sandbar configuration.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Maghermore (Wicklow) in the full forecast view.
Maghermore (Wicklow) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–27 ktsGusts 44 kts
- Direction
- SW220°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2427 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–2.7 m5s period
- Temperature
- 8–16 °C
Over the next 7 days, Maghermore (Wicklow) is forecast for daytime winds of 6–27 kts, peaking around 27 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 44 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.4–2.7 m with a period of about 5s. 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
- Rocks at both ends of the beach
- Rip currents possible near the headlands and during larger swells
- Difficult emergency access due to narrow/private path
- Not best to paddle out alone when others are absent
- Dangerous on a northerly swell
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Spot-level sources report no rescue availability; regional maritime search and rescue is provided by the Irish Coast Guard and RNLI at Wicklow Harbour.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is in Wicklow town; call 999 or 112 for Coast Guard.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Localism level indicated as none.
Rules of the spot
Leave no trace; take all rubbish home. Respect the private land and gates used for access.
- No overnight camping
- No vehicle access to the beach
- Walk down the gated path slowly as it is on private property
- Parking can be congested; do not block gates or farm access
- Magher more is good after any strong wind with South in it; dangerous on a northerly
- Paddle out with others for safety; avoid solo sessions when possible
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Brittas Bay
- Nearest Town
- Brittas Bay
- Parking
- New council-funded car park available; alternatively reported as limited parking on the shoulder of the R750 road—do not block gates or farm access.
- Access
- Access is via a gated private lane off the R750 road, followed by a short walk down to the beach; steep/private path is reported in safety notes. A council-funded car park is reported to have eased access.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Guesthouses and hotels are available in Wicklow town; nearby Brittas Bay area accommodation also referenced.
- Food & Drink
- No facilities on-site; shops and cafes in Wicklow town (about a 10-minute drive).
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available at the beach; some rental availability is also referenced in the nearby Brittas Bay area.
- Gear Storage
- None available at the beach.
- Gear Repair
- None available.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A coastal, rural escape just south of Wicklow town with rugged sand-and-rock scenery and nearby attractions in the Wicklow area.
One of the most famous sandy beaches on Ireland's East Coast, popular for walking and swimming.
A historic former prison turned museum offering insights into 18th-century Irish history.
Extensive hiking, mountain biking, and scenic drives through the largest upland area in Ireland.
Popular local eatery serving snacks and coffee near the beach areas.
A treetop walk and viewing tower offering panoramic views of the Wicklow countryside.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Maghermore (Wicklow)?
The best overall months at Maghermore (Wicklow) are September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April. The best wind months are December, January, February, March, October, November, April, May.
Which wind directions work at Maghermore (Wicklow)?
Maghermore (Wicklow) works with W, SW, NW winds. Offshore directions are W, SW, NW. No-go directions are N, NNE, NE, ENE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Maghermore (Wicklow)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Maghermore (Wicklow): Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–25 kts.
What skill level is Maghermore (Wicklow) suitable for?
Maghermore (Wicklow) suits these riding levels: Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.