Dipper › Co. Mayo

Old Head Beach, Louisburgh

Excellent Quality 2025 Blue Flag faces NNW

🌊 Dip🏄 Surf
Any tidePrefer highPrefer low
Dip score now
76
Decent · light winds, dry
Waves
0.2 m
10 s period from WNW · model cell 1.2 km out
Sea
14.9°
Fresh. M2 buoy, Irish Sea east of Dublin, 288 km away.
Tide
3.6 m
High tide. Low at 17:05.
Wind
12 km/h
Light breeze, SW, cross, gusts 24
Daylight
07:43
Sunrise. Sunset 19:12. Air 15°C.

Best dip each day

Daylight hours, preferring low tide
Today
18:00
Grand 96/100
light winds, dry, calm sea · 0.2 m · 12 km/h
▼ 04:10 ▲ 10:45 ▼ 17:05 ▲ 23:45
Sun, 4 Oct
19:00
Grand 84/100
moderate breeze, dry, calm sea · 0.2 m · 26 km/h
▼ 05:30 ▲ 12:05 ▼ 19:00
Mon, 5 Oct
08:00
Grand 81/100
moderate breeze, dry, calm sea · 0.3 m · 23 km/h
▲ 01:15 ▼ 07:20 ▲ 13:40 ▼ 20:30
Tue, 6 Oct
19:00
Grand 80/100
gentle breeze, dry, calm sea · 0.2 m · 13 km/h
▲ 02:55 ▼ 08:50 ▲ 15:00 ▼ 21:30
Wed, 7 Oct
10:00
Decent 78/100
gentle breeze, rain, calm sea · 0.2 m · 18 km/h
▲ 03:50 ▼ 09:50 ▲ 15:55 ▼ 22:25
Thu, 8 Oct
10:00
Grand 87/100
light winds, showers possible, calm sea · 0.2 m · 8 km/h
▲ 04:35 ▼ 10:30 ▲ 16:40 ▼ 23:05
Fri, 9 Oct
13:00
Fresh 49/100
moderate breeze, rain · 27 km/h
▲ 05:20 ▼ 11:10 ▲ 17:25 ▼ 23:40

Week at a glance

Tap or drag to pick an hour. Everything below follows.
Sat 12:0078 · Decentlight winds · dry
Sat 3Sun 4Mon 5Tue 6Wed 7Thu 8Fri 90003060912151821Sat 10:00 · 75 DecentSat 11:00 · 73 DecentSat 12:00 · 78 DecentSat 13:00 · 76 DecentSat 14:00 · 80 GrandSat 15:00 · 85 GrandSat 16:00 · 89 GrandSat 17:00 · 94 GrandSat 18:00 · 96 GrandSat 19:00 · 92 GrandSat 20:00 · 85 Grand · nightSat 21:00 · 81 Grand · nightSat 22:00 · 70 Decent · nightSat 23:00 · 66 Decent · nightSun 00:00 · 67 Decent · nightSun 01:00 · 72 Decent · nightSun 02:00 · 77 Decent · nightSun 03:00 · 78 Decent · nightSun 04:00 · 83 Grand · nightSun 05:00 · 88 Grand · nightSun 06:00 · 88 Grand · nightSun 07:00 · 84 Grand · nightSun 08:00 · 73 DecentSun 09:00 · 69 DecentSun 10:00 · 71 DecentSun 11:00 · 61 FreshSun 12:00 · 56 FreshSun 13:00 · 60 FreshSun 14:00 · 48 FreshSun 15:00 · 52 FreshSun 16:00 · 56 FreshSun 17:00 · 76 DecentSun 18:00 · 80 GrandSun 19:00 · 84 GrandSun 20:00 · 80 Grand · nightSun 21:00 · 75 Decent · nightSun 22:00 · 71 Decent · nightSun 23:00 · 66 Decent · nightMon 00:00 · 46 Fresh · nightMon 01:00 · 57 Fresh · nightMon 02:00 · 59 Fresh · nightMon 03:00 · 64 Decent · nightMon 04:00 · 69 Decent · nightMon 05:00 · 73 Decent · nightMon 06:00 · 78 Decent · nightMon 07:00 · 82 Grand · nightMon 08:00 · 81 GrandMon 09:00 · 77 DecentMon 10:00 · 72 DecentMon 11:00 · 68 DecentMon 12:00 · 63 DecentMon 13:00 · 59 FreshMon 14:00 · 57 FreshMon 15:00 · 61 FreshMon 16:00 · 58 FreshMon 17:00 · 62 DecentMon 18:00 · 66 DecentMon 19:00 · 70 DecentMon 20:00 · 84 Grand · nightMon 21:00 · 74 Decent · nightMon 22:00 · 69 Decent · nightMon 23:00 · 75 Decent · nightTue 00:00 · 67 Decent · nightTue 01:00 · 68 Decent · nightTue 02:00 · 68 Decent · nightTue 03:00 · 61 Fresh · nightTue 04:00 · 66 Decent · nightTue 05:00 · 71 Decent · nightTue 06:00 · 76 Decent · nightTue 07:00 · 74 Decent · nightTue 10:00 · 78 DecentTue 13:00 · 75 DecentTue 16:00 · 70 DecentTue 19:00 · 80 GrandTue 22:00 · 81 Grand · nightWed 01:00 · 68 Decent · nightWed 04:00 · 56 Fresh · nightWed 07:00 · 66 Decent · nightWed 10:00 · 78 DecentWed 13:00 · 49 FreshWed 16:00 · 36 BlowyWed 19:00 · 68 DecentWed 22:00 · 81 Grand · nightThu 01:00 · 85 Grand · nightThu 04:00 · 72 Decent · nightThu 07:00 · 80 Grand · nightThu 10:00 · 87 GrandThu 13:00 · 75 DecentThu 19:00 · 37 BlowyFri 01:00 · 29 Blowy · nightFri 07:00 · 0 Grim · nightFri 13:00 · 49 FreshFri 19:00 · 38 Blowy

Sat, 3 Oct, 12:00

78 Decent
  • light winds
  • dry
  • calm sea
  • sunny
  • high tide
  • cross wind
NESWsunrisesunset0.2 m12 km/h
faces 338° NNW · wind cross
Waves
0.2 m @ 10 s from WNW
Wind
12 km/h SW · gusts 24
Tide
3.5 m · upper half
Air
15°C · dry

Meteogram

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

Hour by hour

Next 48 hours
TimeDipWavesPeriodFromWindGustTideRainAirWhy
Today
11:0073 Decent0.2 m10 sWNW11 km/h SW253.6 m ▲dry14°light winds, dry, calm sea
12:0078 Decent0.2 m10 sWNW12 km/h SW243.5 m dry15°light winds, dry, calm sea
13:0076 Decent0.2 m10 sWNW13 km/h SW253.1 m dry15°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
14:0080 Grand0.2 m10 sWNW13 km/h SW262.6 m dry15°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
15:0085 Grand0.2 m10 sWNW14 km/h SW272.1 m dry15°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
16:0089 Grand0.2 m10 sWNW16 km/h SW281.7 m ▼dry15°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
17:0094 Grand0.2 m10 sWNW15 km/h SSW291.5 m ▼dry15°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
18:0096 Grand0.2 m10 sWNW12 km/h SSW281.6 m ▼dry15°light winds, dry, calm sea
19:0092 Grand0.2 m10 sWNW9 km/h SSW261.8 m dry13°light winds, dry, calm sea
20:0085 Grand0.2 m10 sWNW9 km/h S222.1 m dry12°light winds, dry, calm sea
21:0081 Grand0.2 m10 sWNW10 km/h SSW242.6 m dry12°light winds, dry, calm sea
22:0070 Decent0.2 m10 sWNW13 km/h SSW283.0 m dry12°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
23:0066 Decent0.2 m10 sWNW16 km/h SSW323.3 m ▲dry13°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
Sunday, 4 October
00:0067 Decent0.2 m10 sWNW17 km/h SSW373.3 m ▲dry13°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
01:0072 Decent0.2 m10 sWNW19 km/h SSW403.2 m dry14°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
02:0077 Decent0.2 m10 sWNW19 km/h SSW432.9 m dry14°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
03:0078 Decent0.2 m10 sWNW22 km/h SSW442.5 m dry15°moderate breeze, offshore, flatter inshore, dry
04:0083 Grand0.2 m10 sWNW22 km/h SSW452.1 m dry15°moderate breeze, offshore, flatter inshore, dry
05:0088 Grand0.2 m10 sWNW23 km/h SSW451.9 m ▼dry15°moderate breeze, offshore, flatter inshore, dry
06:0088 Grand0.2 m10 sWNW20 km/h SSW451.9 m ▼dry15°moderate breeze, offshore, flatter inshore, dry
07:0084 Grand0.2 m10 sWNW22 km/h SSW462.0 m dry15°moderate breeze, offshore, flatter inshore, dry
08:0073 Decent0.2 m10 sWNW22 km/h SSW462.3 m dry15°moderate breeze, dry, calm sea
09:0069 Decent0.2 m10 sWNW23 km/h SSW462.6 m dry16°moderate breeze, dry, calm sea
10:0071 Decent0.2 m10 sWNW27 km/h SSW473.0 m dry16°moderate breeze, offshore, flatter inshore, dry
11:0061 Fresh0.2 m10 sWNW28 km/h SSW483.3 m ▲dry17°moderate breeze, dry, calm sea
12:0056 Fresh0.2 m10 sWNW28 km/h SSW493.5 m ▲0.1 mm16°moderate breeze, dry, calm sea
13:0060 Fresh0.2 m10 sWNW28 km/h SSW503.4 m ▲0.1 mm16°moderate breeze, dry, calm sea
14:0048 Fresh0.2 m10 sWNW29 km/h SW523.2 m 0.1 mm16°fresh breeze, dry, calm sea
15:0052 Fresh0.2 m10 sWNW30 km/h SW522.8 m 0.1 mm16°fresh breeze, dry, calm sea
16:0056 Fresh0.2 m10 sWNW29 km/h SSW512.4 m 0.1 mm16°fresh breeze, dry, calm sea
17:0076 Decent0.2 m10 sWNW26 km/h SSW501.9 m 0.1 mm16°moderate breeze, dry, calm sea
18:0080 Grand0.2 m10 sWNW27 km/h SSW491.7 m ▼0.1 mm16°moderate breeze, dry, calm sea
19:0084 Grand0.2 m10 sWNW26 km/h SW481.6 m ▼0.1 mm16°moderate breeze, dry, calm sea
20:0080 Grand0.2 m10 sWNW25 km/h SW471.6 m ▼dry16°moderate breeze, dry, calm sea
21:0075 Decent0.2 m10 sWNW27 km/h SW471.9 m dry16°moderate breeze, dry, calm sea
22:0071 Decent0.2 m10 sWNW24 km/h SW482.2 m dry16°moderate breeze, dry, calm sea
23:0066 Decent0.2 m10 sWNW26 km/h SW492.7 m dry16°moderate breeze, dry, calm sea
Monday, 5 October
00:0046 Fresh0.3 m10 sWNW31 km/h SW503.0 m dry16°fresh breeze, dry, calm sea
01:0057 Fresh0.3 m11 sWNW27 km/h SW503.2 m ▲dry16°moderate breeze, dry, calm sea
02:0059 Fresh0.3 m11 sWNW27 km/h SW503.2 m ▲0.1 mm15°moderate breeze, dry, calm sea
03:0064 Decent0.3 m11 sWNW28 km/h SW513.0 m 0.1 mm15°moderate breeze, dry, calm sea
04:0069 Decent0.3 m11 sWNW27 km/h SW512.8 m 0.1 mm15°moderate breeze, dry, calm sea
05:0073 Decent0.3 m11 sWNW26 km/h SW512.4 m 0.1 mm15°moderate breeze, dry, calm sea
06:0078 Decent0.3 m11 sWNW28 km/h WSW512.1 m dry15°moderate breeze, dry, calm sea
07:0082 Grand0.3 m11 sWNW25 km/h SW491.9 m ▼dry15°moderate breeze, dry, calm sea
08:0081 Grand0.3 m11 sWNW23 km/h WSW391.9 m ▼0.1 mm15°moderate breeze, dry, calm sea
09:0077 Decent0.3 m11 sWNW23 km/h SW382.1 m 0.1 mm15°moderate breeze, dry, calm sea
10:0072 Decent0.3 m11 sWNW23 km/h SW392.4 m 0.1 mm15°moderate breeze, dry, calm sea

Where the energy comes from

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

Swell arriving between W and E reaches this spot; anything else is blocked by land and counts for much less.

Tide today

Roonagh, 9 km away · metres above chart datum
04:1010:4517:0523:45
Low 04:10 · 1.6 mHigh 10:45 · 3.6 mLow 17:05 · 1.5 mHigh 23:45 · 3.3 m

The spot

Faces
338° NNW
Swell window
W 280° → E 80°
Exposure
Open coast · model cell 1.2 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: YesToiletsParkingAccessible: YesDogs on lead (Dogs only allowed before 12pm and after 6.30pm during the bathing season (1st June to 15th September) otherwise allowed at all times onto beach.)

As listed by Mayo County Council. Open in Maps.

Sauna after?

The Wild Atlantic Sauna (Slainte Saunas) · Old Head Beach, Louisburgh · right here · fixed

Big Dipper Sauna · Carrowniskey Beach, BigStyle Atlantic Lodge, Louisburgh · 12 km · fixed

Sweathouse (Renvyle) · Gurteen Pier, Renvyle, Connemara, Co. Galway · 24 km · fixed

Sabhna Saunas (Keel) · Keel Beach, Achill Island · 30 km · fixed

Old Head Beach is a sheltered beach with a sandy substrate. The length of the beach at Old Head is backed by rocky cliffs. Old Head woodland is located approximately 200m to the rear of Old Head Beach. This SAC represents an extreme development of Atlantic oakwood and is one of the only Irish sites where the habitat occurs directly adjacent to the coast. In close proximity to Old Head Beach is Old Head SAC/pNHA (Site Code 000532). Croagh Patrick is a site of pilgrimage with the annual pilgrimage taking place on the last Sunday in July. Activities include swimming, surfing, water skiing, jet skiing, scuba-diving/snorkelling and fishing. The bathing water is approximately 0.3km2 in area. The medium and maximum water depth within the designated bathing water would be 0.5m and 5.0m respectively depending on tides.

Put Old Head Beach, Louisburgh in your calendar

Dipper Plus drops the best dip 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
🌊 Old Head Beach, Louisburgh dip · Grand · sea 15° · 0.2 mSat, 3 Oct 17:30–18:30 · light winds, dry, calm sea
🌊 Old Head Beach, Louisburgh dip · Grand · sea 15° · 0.2 mSun, 4 Oct 18:30–19:30 · moderate breeze, dry, calm sea
🌊 Old Head Beach, Louisburgh dip · Grand · sea 15° · 0.3 mMon, 5 Oct 07:30–08:30 · moderate breeze, dry, calm sea

Nearby spots

Carrowmore Beach, Louisburgh

4 km · Co. Mayo · Sufficient Quality

Lough Namuka

7 km · Co. Mayo · Not classified

Bertra Beach, Murrisk

7 km · Co. Mayo · Excellent Quality

Lough Beg

7 km · Co. Mayo · Not classified

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