5 of the Best Surf Beaches for Beginners in Ireland

You’re spoilt for choice in Ireland when it comes to finding somewhere to surf. However, know where to go when you are new to the sport can be tricky. Here’s our guide to the best Irish surf beaches for beginners.

With over 3000km of coast line there’s no shortage of beaches in Ireland to go surfing. However, not all beaches are created equal and some are better suited to newcomers to surfing. It can be a little intimidating turning up somewhere new, especially if you’re not yet an expert. We’ve picked out the best beaches with beginners in mind.

Here’s five of the best Irish surf beaches for beginners:

1. Inch Strand, County Kerry

A post shared by Seán Mac an tSíthigh (@buailtin) on Dec 16, 2016 at 8:57am PST

The beach at Inch is actually close to five kilometres long which means there’s plenty of space for budding surfers. The waves generated by the offshore reef are long and mellow offering one of the longest rides in Ireland. There’s no shortage of surf schools around the beach and elsewhere in the Dingle Penisula so finding someone to show you the ropes shouldn’t be too hard.

More Info: Kingdom Waves

2. Rossnowlagh, County Donegal

A post shared by Thomas Beckers (@thombecks) on Feb 5, 2018 at 7:48am PST

One of the cradles of Irish surfing, Rossnowlagh has been surfed since the 1960s. It even hosted the European Surfing Championship in 1985. Now it’s one of the best places to find your feet. The beach break is very accommodating to new surfers and those looking to get back on their board. Because of this, it can get pretty packed in the summer months but it makes a great base to start surfing with plenty of other beaches nearby.

More info: Fin McCool’s Surf School

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3. Tullan Strand, County Donegal

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Tullan Strand is one of the most popular surf spots in Ireland and with good reason. 10km south of Rossnowlagh, it consistently produces waves for beginners and more experienced surfers. At low tide, the southern cliffs near the golf course produce solid hollow waves for intermediates. As you move up the beach things mellow out for newbies. There are surf schools abound in the area as you’d expect. There is even a chance to get Irish surfing and Faking It icon Richie Fitzgerald to teach you at Surfworld.

More info: TurfnSurf

4. Tramore, County Waterford

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The West coast rightly steals most of the headlines when it comes to surfing in Ireland but Tramore does its best to represent the East. Without the battering from Atlantic the waves are a little less consistent at Tramore and the best time to go is in the winter. When the conditions are right it’s welcoming for newcomers but you may outgrow the smaller swell quickly.

More info: Tramore Surf School 

5. Inchydoney, County Cork

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Inchydoney Strand is one of the most beautiful beaches in Ireland and as such attracts plenty of holiday makers during the summer months. If you can carve out some space then this is a good starter beach. The waves are easy going and best at low tide and are backed by a spectacular backdrop. Be sure to watch out for strong currents at both ends and around the headland.

More info: Inchydoney Surf School

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