Maghery
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Intermediate to Expert
- Skill Level
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Maghery is a reasonably exposed point break in Donegal that produces right-hand waves over a rocky (and in places sandy) bottom. Multiple sources emphasize that the surf is inconsistent overall, with better usability when you time it to the lower tide. Across the year, spring and early autumn are highlighted as the most relevant windows. One dataset points to April as the best month, while another identifies September through November (plus April) as months with better prospects. Wind is described as mostly frontal/low-pressure-driven, with typical strengths in the mid-to-high teens up to around 30 knots. Hazards are the standout safety issue at this specific launch: rocks at the point and submerged boulders are repeatedly mentioned, and conditions can become heavy and close out on larger Atlantic swells. Because of this, the spot is generally characterized as best suited to intermediate-to-expert surfers, and partner surfing is recommended given its quiet nature and isolation. Water temperatures are cold year-round, with winter roughly in the 8–10°C range and late summer warming to the mid-teens. Expect wintery weather patterns to bring frequent Atlantic storms, so plan for significant chill and volatility, and use a full winter wetsuit approach (including hood/boots/gloves when conditions are coldest).
- Low tide is the best tide for the point break
- Right-hand waves wrapping from the rocky point into the bay
- Quiet, low-profile local scene
- Winter rock hazards and cold-water conditions
- Reasonably exposed point break
- Best at low tide with workable right-hand waves
- Generally very low crowd levels
- Works during spring and autumn windows (especially around April and September–November)
- Inconsistent surf
- Strong rock hazards (rocks and submerged boulders)
- Can get heavy and close out on large Atlantic swells
- Cold water; winter conditions require proper thermal protection
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW, W
- Offshore directions
- E, ESE
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal
- Reliability
- medium
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- April, September, October, November
- Shadow Zones
- Possible sheltering from surrounding headlands depending on exact direction.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocks and a mixed rocky/sandy setup around the point.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Wave size described as medium in enrichment.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach entry with a rocky point at the southern end.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate
Through the year
Generally very low crowds year-round.
Winter months see frequent Atlantic storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A reasonably exposed point break with inconsistent surf. It is best at low tide and features right-hand waves over a rocky/sandy bottom; conditions can become heavy and close out on larger Atlantic swells.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- W, NW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Low tide is the best tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Sources conflict between exposed vs semi-sheltered; the point is generally described as reasonably exposed.
- Wind Effect
- East and Southeast winds provide clean offshore conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become heavy and close out on massive Atlantic swells.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Waves break along the rocky edge of the point and wrap into the bay.
- Ride Length Details
- Ride length described as medium; waves wrap into the bay from the point edge.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Maghery in the full forecast view.
Maghery wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 10–40 ktsGusts 63 kts
- Direction
- WSW238°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2440 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.3–8.2 m10s period
- Temperature
- 8–15 °C
Over the next 7 days, Maghery is forecast for daytime winds of 10–40 kts, peaking around 40 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 63 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 1.3–8.2 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
- Rocks
- Cold water
- Inconsistent conditions
- Isolation
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional guidance notes limited rescue availability, with emergency rescue provided by the Irish Coast Guard and RNLI.
Rules of the spot
- Wait for the lower tides to see the point break at its best.
- The spot is often quiet, so surfing with a partner is recommended.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Dungloe
- Nearest Town
- Dungloe
- Parking
- Limited parking available near the beach access area.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Guesthouses and holiday rentals in Maghery and Dungloe.
- Food & Drink
- Local pub and small shop in Maghery village.
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 Maghery?
The best overall months at Maghery are April, September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Maghery?
Maghery works with NW, W winds. Offshore directions are E, ESE.
What skill level is Maghery suitable for?
Maghery suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Expert.