Shitties (Dingle Peninsula)
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Medium waves, Ocean, Mixed
- Spot Type
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Range
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Shitties is a wave-oriented water sports beach on the Dingle Peninsula, with clean water, a big sandy landing, and an easy launch. Conditions are focused around North Atlantic swell and a wind direction window mainly from N to NW to NNW, which is best in spring and autumn (March, April, May, September, and October). Wind reliability is described as especially high in spring and autumn, while summer sessions can be less frequent. For kitesurfing, the spot is characterized as a medium-wave location with wave-riding potential in clean conditions. Providers emphasize that Northwest winds can groom the waves, supporting down-the-line riding and jump opportunities; styles reported include wave riding, freeride, and big-air/strapless. Wind availability is also described as winter being consistently stormy (frequent strong conditions) with cold-water challenges. Wave conditions for surfing are described as an exposed, powerful beach break that works best on North or Northwest swells. The typical wave shape is described as peeling with medium peel speed, and wave quality is reported as good. Providers note the need to check tide carefully because the wave shape can change substantially between low and high water, and that the spot can close out on larger swell (when swell exceeds about 4 meters). Safety considerations are significant: rip currents can occur during larger swells and higher tidal ranges, and there is also shore break plus cold-water risk. The northern end near occasional rocks requires extra caution. There are no lifeguards reported, and emergency medical access is described as University Hospital Kerry in Tralee. Parking is available but limited near the access points, and the beach is large enough to accommodate riders when conditions are right.
- Spacious sandy launch at the widest part of the bay
- Best wind months: March, April, May, September, October
- Surf can become fast/hollow when banks are well-formed
- Spacious sandy beach with easy launch and clean water.
- Best winds (N/NW/NNW) in spring and autumn.
- Strong wave setup for wave riding/wave surfing when swells and tide align.
- Very cold water in winter (thick wetsuit required).
- Rip currents can occur during large swells and high tidal ranges.
- No lifeguards reported.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NW, NNW
- Offshore directions
- N, NW, NNW
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Provider data describes the wind type as frontal; practical direction window is mainly N to NW to NNW.
- Reliability
- High during spring and autumn; frequent strong winter storms. In summer winds are less frequent (about once per week).
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Described as light-gusts.
- Best Months
- March, April, May, September, October
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–11 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Medium waves, Ocean, Mixed
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Wave size described as medium (also referred to as medium waves overall).
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Onshore N winds can create heavy chop for surf conditions.
- Launch
- Big — Spacious sandy beach with plenty of room to rig and launch at the widest part of the bay.
Through the year
Rarely crowded; peak summer months see more visitors but the beach can accommodate everyone.
Winter months (November to February) see the most frequent and strongest storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Medium-wave kitesurfing focused on wave riding with clean water; best wind directions are N, NW, and NNW. Providers also describe the spot as handling large North Atlantic swells well and enabling down-the-line riding and jumping.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–11 m²
A top wave windsurfing location in the region with clean waves and consistent wind; suited to dedicated wave sailors.
- Sail Sizes
- 4–5.5 m²
Possible in the waves for experienced riders, but most foilers prefer flatter water for easier progression.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil friendly described as limited.
- Min Depth
- 2.0 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Powerful beach break best on North or Northwest swells; can become hollow and fast when banks are well-formed.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NW
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Best on mid tide per provider data.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed break per provider data.
- Wind Effect
- Cross-shore NW winds groom the waves; onshore N winds create heavy chop.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out when swell exceeds 4 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality described as good.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling described as the typical wave shape.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peel speed described as medium.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Ride length described as medium; standard rides typically last about 50 to 100 meters.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Standard beach break rides typically last 50 to 100 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Shitties (Dingle Peninsula) in the full forecast view.
Shitties (Dingle Peninsula) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–32 ktsGusts 54 kts
- Direction
- SW229°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2432 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.1–5.3 m10s period
- Temperature
- 10–16 °C
Over the next 7 days, Shitties (Dingle Peninsula) is forecast for daytime winds of 6–32 kts, peaking around 32 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 54 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 1.1–5.3 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
- Rip currents
- Cold water
- Large swell
- Shore break
- Occasional rocks at the northern end of the beach
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — One provider reports no direct rescue availability; regional baseline indicates Coast Guard/lifeboat coverage in the area.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital reported as University Hospital Kerry in Tralee; primary emergency numbers are 999/112 (regional).
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No localism noted for the spot.
Rules of the spot
Respect local surfers and maintain distance from others in the lineup.
- Check the tide as wave shape can change significantly between low and high water.
- Be extra cautious on the northern end near rocks (slightly different wave angle).
- In winter plan for very cold water and thick wetsuits; in summer long wetsuits are still commonly used.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Tralee
- Nearest Town
- Fahamore
- Parking
- Limited parking available near the access points to the beach; parking reported at Shitties.
- Access
- From Tralee west on N86, before Camp take R559 following signs to Castlegregory; continue north towards Fahamore and use the access tracks to reach the widest part of the beach.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Guesthouses and holiday rentals are available in Castlegregory and Fahamore.
- Food & Drink
- Several pubs and small restaurants in Castlegregory and nearby Fahamore offer food and drinks.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental shops are available in the wider Castlegregory area but not directly on this beach.
- Gear Storage
- None available at the spot.
- Gear Repair
- Basic repairs may be found in Tralee or via local sport centers in the Maharees.
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 Shitties (Dingle Peninsula)?
The best overall months at Shitties (Dingle Peninsula) are March, April, May, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Shitties (Dingle Peninsula)?
Shitties (Dingle Peninsula) works with N, NW, NNW winds. Offshore directions are N, NW, NNW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Shitties (Dingle Peninsula)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Shitties (Dingle Peninsula): Kitesurfing: 7–11 m² · Windsurfing: 4–5.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–30 kts.
What skill level is Shitties (Dingle Peninsula) suitable for?
Shitties (Dingle Peninsula) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.