Lahinch
Clare's surf town: a learning beach, schools and a base for the area's reefs.
Lahinch is one of the most surf-minded towns in Ireland, with a wide beach in front of the promenade and many surf schools. The waves are easy at low to mid tide.
It's the perfect base to explore the Clare reefs: Crab Island, Aileens or the Spanish Point reefs.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Beach break |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | All levels |
| Best swell | W, NW, SW |
| Best wind (offshore) | E, SE, NE |
| Tide | Low to mid |
| Size | 0.5–2 m |
| Best season | All year |
| Crowd | Heavy |
| Localism | Low |
Surf forecast
Loading the forecast…
Hour-by-hour forecast for 14 days, with stars for your board and level, and the whole site without ads.
Model forecast for open water a few kilometres offshore: it can't see sandbanks or the shelter of headlands and jetties. The rating (0–5) is worked out from this spot's ideal swell and wind. Use it as a guide and check the sea before paddling out. Data: Open-Meteo (DWD, ECMWF; CC BY 4.0)
Which board to bring
A funboard, longboard or minimalibu; a shortboard in good swell. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Lahinch
The water is around 9 °C in winter and 15 °C in late summer. This is what we'd bring for this spot's water, level and boards.
For winter water at 8–11 °C.
View on AmazonWarm feet in winter and protection on rocks.
View on AmazonThe safest, easiest board to learn on here.
View on AmazonKeeps your board from drifting off or hitting someone.
View on AmazonHold and smooth turns for a single fin.
View on AmazonThe three-fin set for a shortboard.
View on AmazonAmazon affiliate links: if you buy through them, Shapers Europe earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Localism and vibe
An open vibe, with lots of surf schools.
Surfing style
Beach break for everyone.
Hazards
Rip currents.
Map
Shapers near Lahinch
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.
Other spots nearby
Cliffs of Moher (Clare)
A big-wave right below the Cliffs of Moher, one of the most spectacular settings in surfing.
Doolin (Clare)
A very powerful right off Doolin, picking up more swell than anywhere else around.
Castlegregory (Kerry)
A huge bay on the Dingle peninsula, better known for windsurfing, with empty peaks.
Dingle (Kerry)
A 5 km sand spit on the Dingle peninsula, with long, soft waves.
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.