Dipper › Co. Dublin

Donabate, Balcarrick Beach

Excellent Quality 2025 Blue Flag Green Coast faces E

🌊 Dip🏄 Surf
Any tidePrefer highPrefer low
Surf score now
70
Decent · chest-high 0.9 m, offshore wind
Waves
0.9 m
7 s period from SE · model cell 2.4 km out
Sea
15.2°
Grand. M2 buoy, Irish Sea east of Dublin, 45 km away.
Tide
1.9 m
Falling, nearly low. Low at 21:55.
Wind
17 km/h
Gentle breeze, WSW, offshore, gusts 34
Daylight
07:27
Sunrise. Sunset 19:00. Air 14°C.

Best surf each day

Daylight hours, preferring high tide
Today
19:00
Decent 73/100
chest-high 1.0 m, offshore wind, low-ish tide · 1.0 m · 24 km/h
▲ 03:35 ▼ 09:20 ▲ 16:05 ▼ 21:55
Sat, 3 Oct
07:00
Grim 5/100
flat · 0.3 m · 6 km/h
▲ 04:40 ▼ 10:20 ▲ 17:10 ▼ 23:10
Sun, 4 Oct
08:00
Grim 5/100
flat · 0.2 m · 10 km/h
▲ 05:55 ▼ 11:40 ▲ 18:30
Mon, 5 Oct
08:00
Blowy 31/100
knee-high 0.3 m, offshore wind, high-ish tide · 0.3 m · 18 km/h
▼ 00:45 ▲ 07:30 ▼ 13:15 ▲ 19:55
Tue, 6 Oct
10:00
Grim 5/100
flat · 0.2 m · 16 km/h
▼ 02:10 ▲ 08:45 ▼ 14:30 ▲ 21:05
Wed, 7 Oct
10:00
Grim 5/100
flat · 0.1 m · 13 km/h
▼ 03:15 ▲ 09:50 ▼ 15:30 ▲ 22:00
Thu, 8 Oct
13:00
Grim 0/100
no wave data here · 17 km/h
▼ 04:05 ▲ 10:45 ▼ 16:20 ▲ 22:55

Week at a glance

Tap or drag to pick an hour. Everything below follows.
Fri 20:0070 · Decentchest-high 0.9 m · offshore wind
Fri 2Sat 3Sun 4Mon 5Tue 6Wed 7Thu 80003060912151821Fri 14:00 · 59 FreshFri 15:00 · 62 DecentFri 16:00 · 65 DecentFri 17:00 · 62 DecentFri 18:00 · 71 DecentFri 19:00 · 73 DecentFri 20:00 · 70 Decent · nightFri 21:00 · 41 Blowy · nightFri 22:00 · 38 Blowy · nightFri 23:00 · 41 Blowy · nightSat 00:00 · 19 Grim · nightSat 01:00 · 22 Grim · nightSat 02:00 · 25 Grim · nightSat 03:00 · 28 Blowy · nightSat 04:00 · 31 Blowy · nightSat 05:00 · 32 Blowy · nightSat 06:00 · 5 Grim · nightSat 07:00 · 5 GrimSat 08:00 · 5 GrimSat 09:00 · 5 GrimSat 10:00 · 5 GrimSat 11:00 · 5 GrimSat 12:00 · 5 GrimSat 13:00 · 5 GrimSat 14:00 · 5 GrimSat 15:00 · 5 GrimSat 16:00 · 5 GrimSat 17:00 · 5 GrimSat 18:00 · 5 GrimSat 19:00 · 5 GrimSat 20:00 · 5 Grim · nightSat 21:00 · 5 Grim · nightSat 22:00 · 5 Grim · nightSat 23:00 · 5 Grim · nightSun 00:00 · 5 Grim · nightSun 01:00 · 5 Grim · nightSun 02:00 · 5 Grim · nightSun 03:00 · 5 Grim · nightSun 04:00 · 5 Grim · nightSun 05:00 · 5 Grim · nightSun 06:00 · 5 Grim · nightSun 07:00 · 5 Grim · nightSun 08:00 · 5 GrimSun 09:00 · 5 GrimSun 10:00 · 5 GrimSun 11:00 · 5 GrimSun 12:00 · 5 GrimSun 13:00 · 5 GrimSun 14:00 · 5 GrimSun 15:00 · 5 GrimSun 16:00 · 5 GrimSun 17:00 · 5 GrimSun 18:00 · 5 GrimSun 19:00 · 5 GrimSun 20:00 · 5 Grim · nightSun 21:00 · 5 Grim · nightSun 22:00 · 5 Grim · nightSun 23:00 · 19 Grim · nightMon 00:00 · 15 Grim · nightMon 01:00 · 14 Grim · nightMon 02:00 · 17 Grim · nightMon 03:00 · 20 Grim · nightMon 04:00 · 23 Grim · nightMon 05:00 · 26 Grim · nightMon 06:00 · 29 Blowy · nightMon 07:00 · 32 Blowy · nightMon 08:00 · 31 BlowyMon 09:00 · 28 BlowyMon 10:00 · 24 GrimMon 11:00 · 21 GrimMon 12:00 · 17 GrimMon 13:00 · 14 GrimMon 14:00 · 15 GrimMon 15:00 · 18 GrimMon 16:00 · 21 GrimMon 17:00 · 24 GrimMon 18:00 · 27 GrimMon 19:00 · 5 GrimMon 22:00 · 5 Grim · nightTue 01:00 · 5 Grim · nightTue 04:00 · 5 Grim · nightTue 07:00 · 5 Grim · nightTue 10:00 · 5 GrimTue 13:00 · 5 GrimTue 16:00 · 5 GrimTue 19:00 · 5 GrimTue 22:00 · 5 Grim · nightWed 01:00 · 5 Grim · nightWed 04:00 · 5 Grim · nightWed 07:00 · 5 Grim · nightWed 10:00 · 5 GrimWed 13:00 · 5 GrimWed 16:00 · 5 GrimWed 19:00 · 5 GrimWed 22:00 · 5 Grim · nightThu 01:00 · 5 Grim · nightThu 07:00 · 0 Grim · nightThu 13:00 · 0 GrimThu 19:00 · 0 Grim

Fri, 2 Oct, 20:00

70 Decent
  • chest-high 0.9 m
  • offshore wind
  • low-ish tide
  • offshore wind
NESWsunrisesunset0.9 m17 km/h
faces 93° E · wind offshore
Waves
0.9 m @ 7 s from SE
Wind
17 km/h WSW · gusts 34
Tide
1.9 m · lower half
Air
14°C · dry

Meteogram

Score, waves, wind (green offshore, amber cross, red onshore), rain and air, tide

Hour by hour

Next 48 hours
TimeSurfWavesPeriodFromWindGustTideRainAirWhy
Today
19:0073 Decent1.0 m7 sSE24 km/h WSW402.6 m 0.7 mm16°chest-high 1.0 m, offshore wind, low-ish tide
20:0070 Decent0.9 m7 sSE17 km/h WSW341.9 m dry14°chest-high 0.9 m, offshore wind, low-ish tide
21:0041 Blowy0.8 m7 sSE19 km/h WSW331.3 m ▼dry14°waist-high 0.8 m, offshore wind, low-ish tide
22:0038 Blowy0.7 m7 sSE19 km/h WSW321.1 m ▼dry12°waist-high 0.7 m, offshore wind, low-ish tide
23:0041 Blowy0.7 m7 sSE15 km/h WSW311.3 m ▼dry11°waist-high 0.7 m, offshore wind, low-ish tide
Saturday, 3 October
00:0019 Grim0.6 m7 sSE15 km/h WSW301.8 m dry10°knee-high 0.6 m, offshore wind, low-ish tide
01:0022 Grim0.5 m7 sSE19 km/h W302.4 m dry10°knee-high 0.5 m, offshore wind, low-ish tide
02:0025 Grim0.5 m7 sSE18 km/h W292.9 m dry9°knee-high 0.5 m, offshore wind, high-ish tide
03:0028 Blowy0.4 m7 sSE7 km/h WSW243.4 m dry8°knee-high 0.4 m, offshore wind, high-ish tide
04:0031 Blowy0.3 m7 sSE7 km/h SW203.7 m ▲dry8°knee-high 0.3 m, offshore wind, high-ish tide
05:0032 Blowy0.3 m6 sSE7 km/h W183.8 m ▲dry7°knee-high 0.3 m, offshore wind, high-ish tide
06:005 Grim0.3 m5 sSE6 km/h W173.5 m dry7°flat
07:005 Grim0.3 m5 sSE6 km/h W183.0 m dry8°flat
08:005 Grim0.2 m5 sSE5 km/h WNW182.4 m dry8°flat
09:005 Grim0.2 m4 sSE7 km/h W181.8 m dry10°flat
10:005 Grim0.2 m4 sSE9 km/h WSW191.4 m ▼dry11°flat
11:005 Grim0.2 m4 sSE9 km/h WSW201.5 m ▼dry13°flat
12:005 Grim0.2 m4 sSE9 km/h WSW201.8 m dry14°flat
13:005 Grim0.1 m4 sSE10 km/h WSW202.3 m dry15°flat
14:005 Grim0.1 m4 sSE9 km/h WSW192.8 m dry15°flat
15:005 Grim0.1 m4 sSE10 km/h WSW213.2 m dry16°flat
16:005 Grim0.1 m4 sSE8 km/h SW223.5 m ▲dry16°flat
17:005 Grim0.2 m3 sSE13 km/h SSE233.7 m ▲dry15°flat
18:005 Grim0.2 m3 sSE12 km/h SSE223.7 m ▲dry14°flat
19:005 Grim0.2 m3 sSE11 km/h SSE193.3 m dry14°flat
20:005 Grim0.2 m3 sSE9 km/h S172.7 m dry13°flat
21:005 Grim0.2 m3 sSE8 km/h S172.1 m dry12°flat
22:005 Grim0.2 m3 sSE9 km/h SSW181.6 m ▼dry12°flat
23:005 Grim0.2 m3 sSE10 km/h SW191.3 m ▼dry11°flat
Sunday, 4 October
00:005 Grim0.2 m3 sSE13 km/h SW201.4 m ▼dry11°flat
01:005 Grim0.2 m3 sSE12 km/h SW211.7 m dry11°flat
02:005 Grim0.2 m3 sSE9 km/h SW212.1 m dry11°flat
03:005 Grim0.2 m3 sSE6 km/h S212.6 m dry11°flat
04:005 Grim0.2 m3 sSE3 km/h W233.1 m dry10°flat
05:005 Grim0.2 m3 sSE7 km/h SSW243.4 m ▲dry11°flat
06:005 Grim0.2 m3 sSE10 km/h SSW263.6 m ▲dry11°flat
07:005 Grim0.2 m3 sSE10 km/h S273.5 m ▲dry12°flat
08:005 Grim0.2 m3 sSE10 km/h S283.1 m dry13°flat
09:005 Grim0.2 m4 sSE9 km/h SW302.6 m dry14°flat
10:005 Grim0.2 m4 sSE14 km/h WSW332.1 m dry15°flat
11:005 Grim0.2 m4 sSE14 km/h WSW361.8 m ▼dry16°flat
12:005 Grim0.2 m4 sSE16 km/h SW361.7 m ▼dry18°flat
13:005 Grim0.2 m4 sSE13 km/h SSW371.8 m dry18°flat
14:005 Grim0.2 m4 sSE21 km/h SW352.1 m dry17°flat
15:005 Grim0.2 m4 sSE22 km/h SW352.6 m dry18°flat
16:005 Grim0.2 m4 sSE21 km/h SW353.0 m dry18°flat
17:005 Grim0.3 m4 sSE18 km/h SW333.4 m dry18°flat
18:005 Grim0.3 m4 sSE17 km/h SW313.7 m ▲dry18°flat

Where the energy comes from

Wave energy (H²·T) this week by direction, against the swell window

No swell window: this spot is inland or fully sheltered.

Tide today

Howth, 10 km away · metres above chart datum
03:3509:2016:0521:55
High 03:35 · 4.0 mLow 09:20 · 1.1 mHigh 16:05 · 3.9 mLow 21:55 · 1.1 m

The spot

Faces
93° E
Swell window
None (sheltered)
Exposure
Bay · model cell 2.4 km out
Water
Excellent Quality · Blue Flag

Facing and swell window are derived from the wave model's coastline around the spot, not surveyed. Know better? Tell us.

Water quality

Recent grades: 2024 Excellent, 2023 Excellent, 2022 Excellent. The EPA flags a short-term pollution risk here after heavy rain.

Beach profile (PDF) · beaches.ie

On the ground

Lifeguard: 11am to 7pm weekends only in June & full time July & AugustToiletsParkingDogs on lead

As listed by Fingal County Council. Open in Maps.

Sauna after?

The Sea Sauna · Tower Bay Beach, Portrane · 2 km · fixed

Restore Sauna Portmarnock · White Sands Hotel, Coast Road, Portmarnock · 5 km · fixed

The Wood Fired Sauna (Rush) · North Beach, Rush · 6 km · fixed

Mercury Sauna · Portmarnock Beach north car park · 6 km · fixed

Donabate Balcarrick beach is a south-east facing, gently sloping sandy beach consisting of a large sandy dune area.

Put Donabate, Balcarrick Beach in your calendar

Dipper Plus drops the best surf hour here into your phone every day, with waves, sea temperature, tide and a 45-minute nudge. Up to three spots.

Set up Dipper Plus
🏄 Donabate, Balcarrick Beach surf · Decent · sea 15° · 1.0 mFri, 2 Oct 18:30–19:30 · chest-high 1.0 m, offshore wind, low-ish tide
🏄 Donabate, Balcarrick Beach surf · Grim · sea 15° · 0.3 mSat, 3 Oct 06:30–07:30 · flat
🏄 Donabate, Balcarrick Beach surf · Grim · sea 15° · 0.2 mSun, 4 Oct 07:30–08:30 · flat

Nearby spots

Portrane, the Brook Beach

2 km · Co. Dublin · Good Quality

Rush, South Beach

5 km · Co. Dublin · Good Quality

Portmarnock, Velvet Strand Beach

5 km · Co. Dublin · Excellent Quality

Rush North Beach

6 km · Co. Dublin · Excellent Quality

Score is Dipper's own blend. It rates comfort, not safety. Forecast: Met Éireann. Waves: Marine Institute Irish Shelf wave model.