Trawmore Bay (Claggan)
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat, Shallow, Chop, Small waves, Mixed
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Trawmore Bay (Claggan) is a tidal, sandy kitesurfing spot on the Belmullet peninsula with clean water and typically flat conditions that can include small waves and some chop. The water is shallow in many areas, especially at low tide, which makes the bay highly tide-dependent for depth and riding area—conditions can change significantly across the tidal cycle. Wind is generally from the south through west (S, SSW, SW, and W/WSW), and the spot is described as relying on Atlantic frontal systems rather than a strong thermal pattern. Wind direction and local exposure make it a practical destination when these SW/S winds are active, with higher wind reliability reported during autumn and winter months. For kitesurfing, riders commonly use the wide, shallow sandy areas for freeride and freestyle/foil styles. At low tide the bay can become extremely flat but very shallow, while at higher tide chop increases. This makes tide timing important, both for keeping enough depth for your chosen sport and for managing how long you may need to walk with gear. Safety considerations are dominated by stones at/near the bay edges, the strong tidal range, and the remoteness of the location. A wetsuit is required year-round due to cold Irish conditions, and it’s advised to check tide times carefully so you don’t end up in overly shallow pools or a difficult return walk.
- Tidal flats with flat water and clean conditions
- Wind from S–SW (and often W/WSW) with good autumn/winter reliability
- Wetsuit required year-round; strong tide dependence for access and depth
- Shallow, flat-to-flat-with-chop water with clean water and tidal access.
- Good south-to-west wind options with generally reliable wind during autumn and winter.
- Wide sandy/tidal flats can provide space for flexible riding
- Very tide-dependent shallow water (depth can limit hydrofoils and affect walking/access).
- Remote location and limited/no on-site rescue.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SSW, SW, WSW, W
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind is dominated by Atlantic frontal systems rather than a strong thermal pattern.
- Reliability
- high during autumn and winter months
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, September, October, November, December
- Shadow Zones
- Minor turbulence can occur if the wind has too much easterly component due to inland hills.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Shallow, Chop, Small waves, Mixed
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Small — Small waves; chop can increase around higher tide.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Chop reported; low tide tends to be extremely flat.
- Launch
- Small — Tidal flats and shallow launch area; wide sandy beach as the tide recedes.
Through the year
Generally very quiet and uncrowded year-round.
Winter months see frequent Atlantic storms and rain.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Shallow, flat-to-flat-with-chop water with small waves. Tidal access can make the water extremely flat and shallow at low tide; higher water brings more chop. Best winds are south to west (S–SW/SSW/WSW/W).
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Flat water that can be good for transitions and freeride/slalom, especially when tide is mid-to-high to ensure enough depth for fins.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–7.5 m²
Suitable during mid-to-high tide. Caution required at low tide because large areas become too shallow for hydrofoils.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited
- Min Depth
- requires mid-to-high tide for safety
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Trawmore Bay (Claggan) in the full forecast view.
Trawmore Bay (Claggan) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 7–40 ktsGusts 60 kts
- Direction
- WSW237°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2440 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–2.1 m7s period
- Temperature
- 9–15 °C
Over the next 7 days, Trawmore Bay (Claggan) is forecast for daytime winds of 7–40 kts, peaking around 40 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 60 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.4–2.1 m with a period of about 7s. 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
- stones
- tidal range
- remoteness
- some stones and rocks at the edges of the bay and near the entrance
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No dedicated rescue availability at the spot (wider-region rescue is limited/contingent on services and conditions).
- Emergency Info
- Belmullet is the nearest town for medical assistance. For emergencies, dial 999 or 112.
Rules of the spot
Standard right-of-way rules apply; respect coastal conditions. Check for hazards at the edges of the bay and be mindful of tidal effects and remoteness.
- Gear access and riding depth are strongly tide-dependent.
- Wetsuit all year needed due to Ireland’s cold conditions.
- The spot is highly tidal: at low tide the water recedes leaving very shallow pools—check tide times to avoid a long walk back with gear.
- Check the tide times to ensure you don’t have a very long walk back with your gear.
- If riding when depth is marginal, be cautious at low tide (especially for foiling).
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Belmullet
- Nearest Town
- Bangor Erris
- Parking
- Parking available at the end of the access road near the beach.
- Access
- Head towards Belmullet from Ballina. After Bangor Erris, you'll meet a small village with a church, graveyard and pub. Turn left immediately before the pub. Drive for less than a mile and turn right at grotto (Statue of Our Lady), and continue on that road until you hit the beach.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Guesthouses and B&Bs available in Belmullet and the surrounding Mullet Peninsula.
- Food & Drink
- Local pubs and shops located in Glencastle and Belmullet.
- Equipment Rental:
- No equipment rental reported at the spot itself.
- Gear Storage
- No gear storage reported.
- Gear Repair
- No dedicated gear repair reported.
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 Trawmore Bay (Claggan)?
The best overall months at Trawmore Bay (Claggan) are September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Trawmore Bay (Claggan)?
Trawmore Bay (Claggan) works with S, SSW, SW, WSW, W winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Trawmore Bay (Claggan)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Trawmore Bay (Claggan): Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–30 kts.
What skill level is Trawmore Bay (Claggan) suitable for?
Trawmore Bay (Claggan) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Windsurfing: Beginner · Wingfoiling: Intermediate.