Doonloughan Surf Report
Doonloughan — surf & tide guide
Doonloughan is a beach in Galway, Ireland. It works best on a W–NNW swell with E–S winds blowing offshore. The beach faces NW. Ideal size is 0.8–3.0 m at 9–15 s.
- Break type
- Beach break
- Best swell
- W–NNW · 0.8–3.0m
- Best wind
- E–S offshore
- Best tide
- Most tides
- Best period
- 9–15s
- Skill level
- Beginner+
- Best season
- Sep–Apr
- Parking
- Rough track
A-frame peak, sandy bottom · rips permitting · limited; respect farm access.
Doonloughan has semidiurnal (two highs a day) tides with an approximate large range of 4.2 m. Works most tides. Strong rips and undertows, worst on the left. More Galway spots →
About Doonloughan
Doonloughan — Dunlaughin locally, and often just called Ballyconneely after the village a few kilometres east — is Galway's surf beach: an exposed, sandy-bottomed A-frame at the far west of Connemara, with the lighthouse on Slyne Head on the horizon. Facing north-west it takes a NW groundswell straight in and handles W swells too, and a south-easterly blows clean offshore.
It breaks both ways off the peak, so there's a wave for beginners, bodyboarders and experienced surfers alike when the size is right. Getting there is half the character: a rural track through dunes and grazing sheep, no facilities, and it's generally uncrowded even on a good day. The left side carries strong rips and undertows — treat it with respect.
Hazards & Notes
- Strong rips and undertows — worst on the left side
- Remote · no lifeguards, no facilities, bring a friend
- Exposed to the full Atlantic — closes out when oversized
- Cold water year-round
14-Day Forecast
Tap any day for hourly detail.
Other Galway Spots
All conditions and 14-day forecast for every Galway break: view the full Galway page →