Skerries North
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop, Small waves, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Skerries North is a tidal, sandy kitesurfing and wind-based watersports beach on the north edge of Skerries. Conditions are generally small-wave with a chop that can increase depending on wind angle and tide, and water quality is described as clean. Water depth can vary significantly with the tide, with more accessible space and more predictable depth when riding at mid to low tide, while very low tide can make the waterline shallow and require a longer walk. Wind is most reliably on north to easterly directions (N through NE/E and also including ENE). Typical strongest months are March, April, May, and September and October, with winter still offering riding opportunities but with much colder water and a need for a thick wetsuit. Wind is described as moderate in reliability and can include moderate gusts. The nearby town and harbour structures can introduce turbulence on winds from southerly or westerly angles, so choosing your window matters. Safety considerations are important at this spot: hazards include the mole/harbour wall to the south and rocks at the northern end of the beach, plus tidal currents that can be strong near the harbour entrance. During summer, there can be swimmers, so you should respect swim areas and avoid kiting too close to the harbour entrance. Local tips emphasize avoiding the harbour wall because it can create wind shadows and dangerous proximity, and planning for the changing shoreline at different tides. For gear, expectations are seasonal—winter can be very cold with thick wetsuits (often with boots and gloves), while summer riders may use a shorty or lighter setup (often a long wetsuit is still common). The area also has practical logistics including access via the N1 from Dublin and pay-and-display parking near the seafront and harbour, supported by seasonal lifeguard presence and emergency access via 112/999.
- North to easterly wind window (March–May and September–October).
- Tidal sandy beach with deeper water than the nearby south beach but strong depth changes.
- Harbour-wall and rocks hazards plus potential strong tidal currents near the harbour entrance.
- Reliable north to easterly wind window (especially March–May and September–October).
- Clean, sandy environment with manageable wave size (small waves) and deeper water on the north beach.
- Good intermediate suitability with nearby support and local instruction options.
- Strong tidal range makes beach width and water depth change significantly; at low tide water can be shallow and the walk can be long.
- Turbulence near harbour structures—avoid the harbour wall/mole and stay clear of wind-shadow/danger zones.
- All-year riding is possible but winter can be very cold; choose wetsuit thickness accordingly.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNE, NE, ENE, E
- No-go directions
- SW, W, WSW, WNW, NW, NNW
- Wind Range
- 12–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Prevailing frontal winds described for the area; spot works best on north to easterly directions.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Gusts described as moderate.
- Best Months
- March, April, May, September, October
- Shadow Zones
- Town and harbour can create turbulence on southerly or westerly winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Small waves, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Small — Small-wave conditions; can be choppy depending on wind and tide.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Chop with varying severity by wind angle and tide.
- Launch
- Medium — North beach area of Skerries; sandy beach that narrows significantly at high tide.
Through the year
Can be busy with beachgoers in July and August; kite community active year-round.
Late autumn and winter (November to February) are prone to higher rainfall and stronger Atlantic storm systems.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Tidal north beach in Skerries offering small waves with chop; works on north to easterly winds. Intermediate-friendly with sandy bottom and deeper water than the nearby south beach, but water depth varies strongly with tide and can be shallow at low tide.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Suitable for freeride and foil windsurfing in north to easterly winds; tidal walk to the water can be long at low water.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
Foil-friendly at mid to high tide; avoid shallow rocks at low tide with significant tidal range.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly at mid to high tide.
- Min Depth
- approx 1.5 meters depending on tide height
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Skerries North in the full forecast view.
Skerries North wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–26 ktsGusts 45 kts
- Direction
- SW219°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2526 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.2–1.9 m4s period
- Temperature
- 8–17 °C
Over the next 7 days, Skerries North is forecast for daytime winds of 5–26 kts, peaking around 26 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 45 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.2–1.9 m with a period of about 4s. 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
- mole
- rocks
- tidal currents (can be strong near harbour entrance)
- groynes
- swimmers in summer
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguard presence is seasonal.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Yes — Emergency rescue via local RNLI lifeboat station in the harbour (24/7 for the coastal area).
- Emergency Info
- Emergency numbers in Ireland: 112 or 999. Skerries Coast Guard station is nearby; local RNLI lifeboat station provides 24/7 emergency rescue for the coastal area.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No localism noted.
Rules of the spot
Respect swim zones during summer; avoid getting too close to the harbour entrance and watch for wind shadows near harbour structures.
- Check whether kitesurfing is allowed; may need special permit or local organization membership.
- Best at mid to low tide for more beach space; at very low tide the walk to the water can be long.
- Avoid the harbour wall/mole as it creates wind shadows and can put you in dangerous proximity.
- Sandy bottom with deeper water on the north beach, but water depth varies with tide—plan for shallow areas at low tide.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Skerries
- Nearest Town
- Skerries
- Nearest Airport
- Dublin Airport (DUB)
- Parking
- Pay-and-display parking is available along the seafront and near the harbour.
- Public Transport
- Accessible via Dublin–Belfast commuter rail (Irish Rail) and Dublin Bus 33 service
- Access
- From Dublin, take the N1 north and follow signs to Skerries; the north beach is at the north end of town.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various guesthouses and B&Bs available within Skerries town.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous restaurants and cafes located directly adjacent to the harbour and north beach.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available through local schools or nearby shops in Dublin.
- Gear Repair
- Some basic repairs may be available through local kite schools.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A vibrant seaside town with an active watersports community, plus historic mills and coastal scenery.
Fully restored 12th-century flour mill complex with two windmills and a watermill.
A large country house and parkland offering views of the coastline and structured gardens.
Scenic walking paths along the cliffs and shoreline connecting Skerries to Loughshinny.
Seafood restaurants and traditional pubs on the waterfront.
Large public playground near the South Strand beach.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Skerries North?
The best overall months at Skerries North are April, May, June, July, August, September, October. The best wind months are March, April, May, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Skerries North?
Skerries North works with N, NNE, NE, ENE, E winds. No-go directions are SW, W, WSW, WNW, NW, NNW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Skerries North?
Recommended equipment sizes at Skerries North: Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–30 kts.
What skill level is Skerries North suitable for?
Skerries North suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate.