Best Surf Beaches
Best surfing beaches in and around Galway 🏄
The biggest waves ever surfed in Europe have been caught on Irish shores over the last few years at spots like Aileens, Co. Clare, Mullaghmore, Co. Sligo and Pampa at Bundoran, Co. Donegal. But there are also benign beach breaks all along the west coast of Ireland from Clare to Galway and up along to Mayo and beyond. The best surfing spots south of Galway are found in Co. Clare at Lahinch beach, Fanore Beach, and Doughmore Beach in Doonbeg. Galway’s only surfing beach is at Dunlaughin in Ballyconneely. The closest surf spots north of Galway can be found at Cross Beach near Delphi and Carrownisky Strand near Louisburgh in County Mayo.
Lahinch Beach
Lahinch has a great choice of surf schools providing professional tuition and excellent equipment to help you learn everything from the basics to tackling more challenging waves. Many of these Irish Surf Association-approved schools are headed up by some of Ireland’s finest surfers. Some of whom have ridden the headline-grabbing behemoth waves along Ireland’s western coast. And they are just waiting to pass on their impressive wave knowledge to novices. Lahinch has five different breaks which are easily accessible so there’s no excuse for not getting up on your board. The most popular is the beach break which is ideal for beginners. The right beach break and the other three left reef breaks (Cornish, outer Cornish and Cregg) provide a decent challenge for more experienced surfers.
Fanore Beach
Fanore Beach is a sanctuary of surfing peace with its wide and spacious strand, uncrowded waves with the lovely backdrop o fit tall and extensive sand dune system. Although a little rocky in places at low tide it provides the ideal location for anyone wanting to learn how to surf away from the large groups at Lahinch.
Doughmore Beach at Doonbeg
Doonbeg is a popular spot when other surf locations are serving up little or no waves. If everywhere else is flat calm, Doughmore Beach is a good bet to offer up any swell that is going. Access to the beach is a right of way track through the dunes of Doonbeg Golf Links. Beware of a nasty rip current that is known to cause problems for swimmers.
Dunlaughin, Ballyconneely
Dunlaughin is Galway’s best kept secret surfing spot. Hidden away on a remote headland on the coast of Connemara, you’ll find it along an old dirt track with grazing sheep and curious rabbit. The west facing beach has fantastic views and unspoilt surfing conditions. Located away from the main road and houses, this cove guarantees peaceful isolation and is a great spot for camping too. Prevailing southwesterly winds generate moderate sized waves, perfect for beginners, more experienced surfers and body-boarding.
Cross Beach & Carrownisky Strand
Cross Beach and Carrownisky Strand are great beaches for beginner surfers. Located on the same stretch of coastline, these wide open places provides little shelter from the prevailing wind and elements so can be a bit wild, but are unspoilt with fine views of Clare Island and Inishturk. Carrownisky Strand is the more popular surfing beach of the two as it provides one of the only consistent breaks in the area. The gorgeous drive up through both the Maam Valley through Leenane and on through the Doolough Valley making it well worth a trip from Galway.
Surf schools and board rental 🏄♀️
Look out for some great local surf schools at the more popular beaches listed below such as Ballyconneely, Lahinch, Fanore and Carrownisky.
Real Adventures Connemara
+353 (0) 85 1462526
https://realadventures.ie/connemara/
Ollie’s Lahinch Surf Centre
086 812 0400
http://www.oceanscene.ie/
Lahinch Surf School
087 960 9667
http://www.lahinchsurfschool.com/
Ben’s Surf Clinic Surf School Lahinch
086 844 8622
http://www.benssurfclinic.com/
Lahinch Surf Experience
085 115 5743
http://www.lahinchsurfexperience.com/
Aloha Surf School Fanore
087 213 3996
https://www.surfschool.ie/
Surf Mayo at Carrownisky
087 621 2508
http://www.surfmayo.com/
These surf schools provide professional tuition and excellent equipment to help you learn everything from the basics to tackling more challenging waves.
Many of these Irish Surf Association-approved schools are headed up by some of Ireland’s finest surfers. Many of them have ridden those aforementioned headline-grabbing behemoth waves. And they are just waiting to pass on their impressive wave knowledge to novices.
As a beginner, you’ll be taught the basics in small groups on the sand. That’s paddling to catch your wave and getting from your belly to your feet in one movement. Then it’s out into the water with you on a special foam board under the watchful eye of your instructor. Intermediates can work to hone their skills, learning to duck dive or put in turns on the waves.
One thing is sure however. Whether you’re learning in the white water or sitting in the
line up along with a few other surfers waiting to catch your first clean wave (that’s riding down an unbroken green face), you’ll look like the cat that got the cream as you take in the water glinting in the sun and the spray blowing back from the waves marching to shore.
That’s the joy of surfing – no matter what your level there’s still a great buzz.
And don’t worry, it’s not that cold! Thanks to modern wetsuit technology, the warming effects of the Gulf Stream current, and the adrenalin that will course through your veins, you’ll barely feel a chill as you harness the magic that the ocean has to offer.
Surf spots map
Video guide to surfing the west of Ireland
Surfing in Galway FAQs
Can you surf in Galway?
Are there surfing beaches in Connemara?
Where are the best surfing spots in the West of Ireland?
- Aileen’s Wave, Co. Clare.
- Lahinch, Co. Clare.
- Rossnowlagh, Co. Donegal.
- Ballybunion, Co. Kerry.
- Easkey, Co. Sligo.
- Cross Beach, Co. Mayo
- Carrownisky Strand, Co. Mayo
- Keel Beach in Achill Island, Co. Mayo
- Inch, Co. Kerry.
- Strandhill, Co. Sligo.
Click here for a full list of the best surfing spots in Ireland.