Best surf spots in Ireland for beginners
The beaches in Ireland where a beginner can surf on the most days of the year: small enough, clean enough, on sand. Ranked from 2 years of hourly wave and wind model data at each spot, rated the way the app rates them for beginners. Updated 3 November 2026.
Today's forecast for beginners in Ireland →
The beaches with the most beginner days
| # | Spot | Beginner days a year | Best months | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Strandhill Strandhill · Sligo | ~98 (10 good) | September to October, January to February | 7–18 °C |
| 2 | Lahinch Lahinch · Clare | ~78 (13 good) | April to May, November | 8–18 °C |
| 3 | Tramore Tramore · Waterford | ~61 (2 good) | November, January | 9–17 °C |
| 4 | Barley Cove Crookhaven · Cork | ~44 (2 good) | March | 10–17 °C |
| 5 | Inchydoney (West Beach) Clonakilty · Cork | ~28 (2 good) | January | 9–17 °C |
| 6 | Inch Strand Inch · Kerry | ~1 | January to February | 7–19 °C |
"Beginner days": days with a surfable hour for a beginner (small waves, light or offshore wind, no dangerous size) at that spot; "good" days rate Good or better for a beginner. From 2 years of model data, not observations: a sandbank, a rip or a crowd can change a beach. How the rating works.
When beginners should go
Across Ireland's beginner spots, the best months are April, September, November, January to February. January has the most surfable days for a beginner (about 8 a month at the best spots), July the fewest (about 2). Water: 8–17 °C over the year, see the wetsuit by month.
Questions
Where is the best place to learn to surf in Ireland?
On our numbers, Strandhill (Strandhill, about 98 beginner days a year), Lahinch (Lahinch, about 78 beginner days a year), Tramore (Tramore, about 61 beginner days a year). These are sandy, forgiving spots where the waves are small and clean enough for a beginner on the most days.
When is the best time for beginners to surf in Ireland?
April, September, November, January to February: the months with the most days of small, clean waves at the beginner spots. The fewest are in July.
Is Ireland good for beginner surfers?
6 of the 33 spots we follow suit beginners. At the best of them a beginner finds about 8 surfable days in January and 2 in July. Take a lesson first and surf near lifeguards.
Before your first session: your first surf lesson and rips and safety. More: all surf spots in Ireland · best time to surf in Ireland.