5 Beaches in Ireland for beginner and intermediate surfers

Plan your next surf weekend away and choose one of these beaches that are great for beginner and intermediate surfers. Here you'll not only find out which beaches are suitable for learner surfers, but also whether there is a surf school, surfboard and equipment rental, toilets and a lifeguard. Pick the one that works best for you and let us know in the comments if you've tried any of these or if we've missed your favourite beginner surf beach. 

1. Streedagh, Sligo

Located in north Sligo, this is a great choice for those who already have their own equipment as there are currently no surf schools or board rental available. 

A beautiful beach with white sand as far as you can see with the majestic Benbulben framing the view.

This long beach can easily spread out the crowd with the big advantage being that it offers offshore waves in a south west wind. 

Works best at: Mid-tide but will work through the tides

Swell: North west swell or larger west swell. 

Wind: Winds from the south west all around to easterly will be offshore depending where along the beach you surf. South west will be cross offshore close to the car park with offshore winds being easterly by the time you walk to the north end of the beach. 

2. Strandhill, Sligo

Strandhill is a village on the Sligo coast with a great buzz so you could easily make a weekend of it. Book a surf lesson with one of the many surf schools (who now all have great facilities in the National Surf Centre so you'll be treated to super changing rooms!) and stay for coffee and dinner in one of the great cafe's and restaurants. Top off your weekend with a seaweed bath or treatment at Voya and listen to live music in the famous Strand pub. Great destination for a weekend break. Just bear in mind that there is no surf board rental available here. So you will need to take a lesson or bring your own. 

Works best at: Low and mid tides generally but can work through the tides. Entry and exit options from the water become much more limited at high tide so bear this in mind. 

Swell: West swells offer the best conditions but will pick up north west and bigger south west swells too. 

Wind: Anything from the east will give offshore conditions. 

3. Rossnowlagh, Donegal

A great spot for beginner surfers, not only because you'll have surf schools and equipment rental to choose from. Rossnowlagh has a special place in Irish surfing history being the home of the pioneering surf family the Brittons and host to many national surf competitions over the years. For beginner/intermediates it really is a surf paradise with consistent friendly waves. The most popular spot is at the south of the beach close to the surf club but there are peaks all along the beach. 

Rossnowlagh is one of the few beaches left in the country that lets you drive on to it. This does mean you can literally drive right to the surf but every year many an unfortunate driver has forgotten about the tide and been left with their car stranded up to it's axles (and worse) in the rising tide. 

Works best at: Any tide except high

Swell: South west to west west swells will get in best. 

Wind: East to north east will give the best offshore conditions. 

4. Lahinch, Clare

Lahinch is Irelands original surf town (although Bundoran might contest that) and it makes for a great weekend destination with surf schools to choose from for lessons and the town being right at the beach.

Lahinch has some great beginner/intermediate friendly peaks along the beach with quality reef breaks for the more experienced along the rocky headland to the south of the beach.

One thing to bear in mind is that access to the water is difficult at high tide so make sure to exit the water soon enough or wait for it to drop out a little before entering the water. 

If you are looking for somewhere to go for food, drinks music and craic post surf, then you're in the right place. O'Looneys bar is the famous surf bar and restaurant positioned right on the beach but there are lots of great options in the town. 

Works best at: Any tide except high.

Swell: South west and west swell will give the best conditions. 

Wind: East winds are best. 

5. Magheramore, Wicklow

Particularly popular for surfers in Dublin as one of the surf beaches closest to the big smoke. Plan a day trip and give Hugh at Brittas Bay Surf School a shout if you need equipment or lessons. 

Magheramore is a stunning beach that deserves a visit just for the views. Access traditionally has been difficult but that seems to be sorted out now with a council funded car park being put in place. The beach picks up a surprising amount of swell with the best of the peaks breaking more towards the headland at the south end. The headland also gives protection from south winds which are also the most common source of swell here. 

Works best at: Any tide

Swell: South swells will give the best conditions but anything from the north, east and south will generate waves. 

Wind: A west wind is best but this will kill the predominantly short period wind swells if it is strong. This spot offers some protection from south winds which are common. the ideal scenario is when a southerly wind generates swell moving up the Irish sea before swinging more into the west as the low pressure moves across the country.