Dipper › Co. Donegal

Portsalon

Good Quality 2025 faces NE

🌊 Dip🏄 Surf
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Dip score now
73
Decent · moderate breeze, dry
Waves
0.1 m
12 s period from N · model cell 2.7 km out
Sea
15.1°
Grand. M2 buoy, Irish Sea east of Dublin, 237 km away.
Tide
3.2 m
Rising, nearly high. High at 10:05.
Wind
26 km/h
Moderate breeze, SSE, cross, gusts 42
Daylight
07:34
Sunrise. Sunset 19:05. Air 13°C.

Best dip each day

Daylight hours, preferring high tide
Today
11:00
Decent 78/100
moderate breeze, offshore, flatter inshore, showers possible · 0.1 m · 27 km/h
▼ 03:55 ▲ 10:05 ▼ 16:30 ▲ 22:50
Sat, 3 Oct
11:00
Grand 99/100
light winds, dry, calm sea · 0.1 m · 12 km/h
▼ 04:50 ▲ 11:20 ▼ 17:55
Sun, 4 Oct
13:00
Grand 89/100
moderate breeze, offshore, flatter inshore, dry · 0.1 m · 22 km/h
▲ 00:35 ▼ 06:05 ▲ 13:20 ▼ 20:00
Mon, 5 Oct
16:00
Decent 78/100
moderate breeze, offshore, flatter inshore, showers possible · 0.2 m · 20 km/h
▲ 02:20 ▼ 08:00 ▲ 15:00 ▼ 21:40
Tue, 6 Oct
16:00
Grand 83/100
gentle breeze, showers possible, calm sea · 0.3 m · 15 km/h
▲ 03:35 ▼ 09:25 ▲ 16:05 ▼ 22:35
Wed, 7 Oct
19:00
Decent 68/100
gentle breeze, rain · 17 km/h
▲ 04:40 ▼ 10:25 ▲ 16:55 ▼ 23:15
Thu, 8 Oct
13:00
Decent 69/100
light winds, showers possible · 12 km/h
▲ 05:20 ▼ 11:10 ▲ 17:40 ▼ 23:55

Week at a glance

Tap or drag to pick an hour. Everything below follows.
Fri 08:0072 · Decentmoderate breeze · dry
Fri 2Sat 3Sun 4Mon 5Tue 6Wed 7Thu 80003060912151821Fri 03:00 · 67 Decent · nightFri 04:00 · 59 Fresh · nightFri 05:00 · 58 Fresh · nightFri 06:00 · 62 Decent · nightFri 07:00 · 67 Decent · nightFri 08:00 · 72 DecentFri 09:00 · 76 DecentFri 10:00 · 73 DecentFri 11:00 · 78 DecentFri 12:00 · 65 DecentFri 13:00 · 60 FreshFri 14:00 · 59 FreshFri 15:00 · 65 DecentFri 16:00 · 57 FreshFri 17:00 · 65 DecentFri 18:00 · 70 DecentFri 19:00 · 74 DecentFri 20:00 · 78 Decent · nightFri 21:00 · 83 Grand · nightFri 22:00 · 87 Grand · nightFri 23:00 · 85 Grand · nightSat 00:00 · 81 Grand · nightSat 01:00 · 76 Decent · nightSat 02:00 · 71 Decent · nightSat 03:00 · 67 Decent · nightSat 04:00 · 68 Decent · nightSat 05:00 · 70 Decent · nightSat 06:00 · 74 Decent · nightSat 07:00 · 72 Decent · nightSat 08:00 · 77 DecentSat 09:00 · 81 GrandSat 10:00 · 85 GrandSat 11:00 · 99 GrandSat 12:00 · 91 GrandSat 13:00 · 87 GrandSat 14:00 · 83 GrandSat 15:00 · 78 DecentSat 16:00 · 74 DecentSat 17:00 · 70 DecentSat 18:00 · 66 DecentSat 19:00 · 71 DecentSat 20:00 · 75 Decent · nightSat 21:00 · 79 Decent · nightSat 22:00 · 79 Decent · nightSat 23:00 · 83 Grand · nightSun 00:00 · 88 Grand · nightSun 01:00 · 88 Grand · nightSun 02:00 · 83 Grand · nightSun 03:00 · 78 Decent · nightSun 04:00 · 73 Decent · nightSun 05:00 · 68 Decent · nightSun 06:00 · 62 Decent · nightSun 07:00 · 66 Decent · nightSun 08:00 · 69 DecentSun 09:00 · 73 DecentSun 10:00 · 77 DecentSun 11:00 · 81 GrandSun 12:00 · 85 GrandSun 13:00 · 89 GrandSun 14:00 · 87 GrandSun 15:00 · 87 GrandSun 16:00 · 79 DecentSun 17:00 · 75 DecentSun 18:00 · 70 DecentSun 19:00 · 66 DecentSun 20:00 · 62 Decent · nightSun 21:00 · 70 Decent · nightSun 22:00 · 75 Decent · nightSun 23:00 · 79 Decent · nightMon 00:00 · 80 Grand · nightMon 01:00 · 84 Grand · nightMon 02:00 · 89 Grand · nightMon 03:00 · 87 Grand · nightMon 04:00 · 82 Grand · nightMon 05:00 · 77 Decent · nightMon 06:00 · 72 Decent · nightMon 07:00 · 67 Decent · nightMon 10:00 · 66 DecentMon 13:00 · 74 DecentMon 16:00 · 78 DecentMon 19:00 · 69 DecentMon 22:00 · 60 Fresh · nightTue 01:00 · 74 Decent · nightTue 04:00 · 84 Grand · nightTue 07:00 · 73 Decent · nightTue 10:00 · 63 DecentTue 13:00 · 73 DecentTue 16:00 · 83 GrandTue 19:00 · 76 DecentTue 22:00 · 64 Decent · nightWed 01:00 · 67 Decent · nightWed 04:00 · 81 Grand · nightWed 07:00 · 73 Decent · nightWed 10:00 · 54 FreshWed 13:00 · 52 FreshWed 19:00 · 68 DecentThu 01:00 · 44 Blowy · nightThu 07:00 · 70 Decent · nightThu 13:00 · 69 DecentThu 19:00 · 67 Decent

Fri, 2 Oct, 08:00

72 Decent
  • moderate breeze
  • dry
  • calm sea
  • cross wind
NESWsunrisesunset0.1 m26 km/h
faces 39° NE · wind cross
Waves
0.1 m @ 12 s from N
Wind
26 km/h SSE · gusts 42
Tide
2.9 m · upper half
Air
13°C · dry

Meteogram

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

Hour by hour

Next 48 hours
TimeDipWavesPeriodFromWindGustTideRainAirWhy
Today
08:0072 Decent0.1 m12 sN26 km/h SSE422.9 m dry13°moderate breeze, dry, calm sea
09:0076 Decent0.1 m12 sN24 km/h SSE443.5 m ▲dry13°moderate breeze, dry, calm sea
10:0073 Decent0.1 m12 sN28 km/h SSE463.7 m ▲0.2 mm13°moderate breeze, showers possible, calm sea
11:0078 Decent0.1 m12 sN27 km/h S473.7 m ▲0.4 mm13°moderate breeze, offshore, flatter inshore, showers possible
12:0065 Decent0.1 m12 sN19 km/h SSW463.4 m 1.7 mm14°gentle breeze, rain, calm sea
13:0060 Fresh0.1 m12 sN13 km/h SSW442.9 m 1.8 mm14°gentle breeze, rain, calm sea
14:0059 Fresh0.1 m12 sN18 km/h SSW422.3 m 1.3 mm13°gentle breeze, rain, calm sea
15:0065 Decent0.1 m11 sN14 km/h SSW391.7 m 0.8 mm13°gentle breeze, showers possible, calm sea
16:0057 Fresh0.1 m11 sN19 km/h SW351.4 m ▼0.2 mm13°gentle breeze, showers possible, calm sea
17:0065 Decent0.1 m11 sN12 km/h WSW341.3 m ▼dry13°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
18:0070 Decent0.1 m11 sN17 km/h W341.5 m dry13°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
19:0074 Decent0.1 m11 sN16 km/h W311.9 m dry12°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
20:0078 Decent0.1 m11 sN16 km/h WSW252.4 m dry11°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
21:0083 Grand0.1 m11 sN14 km/h WSW232.9 m dry10°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
22:0087 Grand0.1 m11 sN14 km/h SW233.3 m ▲dry10°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
23:0085 Grand0.1 m11 sN14 km/h WSW233.5 m ▲dry10°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
Saturday, 3 October
00:0081 Grand0.1 m11 sN13 km/h WSW223.4 m ▲dry9°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
01:0076 Decent0.1 m11 sN13 km/h SW203.1 m dry9°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
02:0071 Decent0.1 m11 sN13 km/h SW192.6 m dry9°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
03:0067 Decent0.2 m11 sN13 km/h SW182.0 m dry9°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
04:0068 Decent0.2 m11 sN12 km/h SW181.6 m ▼dry10°light winds, dry, calm sea
05:0070 Decent0.2 m11 sN10 km/h SSW181.4 m ▼dry10°light winds, dry, calm sea
06:0074 Decent0.2 m11 sN10 km/h SW181.5 m ▼dry10°light winds, dry, calm sea
07:0072 Decent0.2 m11 sN14 km/h WSW181.9 m dry11°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
08:0077 Decent0.2 m11 sN14 km/h WSW182.3 m dry11°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
09:0081 Grand0.2 m10 sN15 km/h WSW192.8 m dry11°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
10:0085 Grand0.2 m10 sN13 km/h WSW203.2 m dry13°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
11:0099 Grand0.1 m10 sN12 km/h SW223.4 m ▲dry14°light winds, dry, calm sea
12:0091 Grand0.1 m10 sN12 km/h SW243.4 m ▲dry15°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
13:0087 Grand0.1 m10 sN15 km/h SW263.3 m dry15°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
14:0083 Grand0.1 m10 sN17 km/h SSW273.0 m dry15°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
15:0078 Decent0.1 m10 sN14 km/h SSW282.5 m dry16°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
16:0074 Decent0.1 m10 sN16 km/h SSW282.0 m dry16°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
17:0070 Decent0.1 m10 sN15 km/h SSW281.7 m ▼dry15°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
18:0066 Decent0.1 m10 sN15 km/h S271.6 m ▼dry15°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
19:0071 Decent0.1 m10 sN16 km/h S261.6 m ▼dry14°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
20:0075 Decent0.1 m10 sN19 km/h S281.9 m dry14°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
21:0079 Decent0.1 m10 sN19 km/h S302.2 m dry13°gentle breeze, dry, calm sea
22:0079 Decent0.1 m10 sN21 km/h S322.6 m dry13°moderate breeze, offshore, flatter inshore, dry
23:0083 Grand0.1 m10 sN24 km/h S342.9 m dry14°moderate breeze, offshore, flatter inshore, dry
Sunday, 4 October
00:0088 Grand0.1 m10 sN23 km/h S353.1 m ▲dry14°moderate breeze, offshore, flatter inshore, dry
01:0088 Grand0.1 m10 sN22 km/h S363.1 m ▲dry14°moderate breeze, offshore, flatter inshore, dry
02:0083 Grand0.1 m11 sN26 km/h S463.0 m dry13°moderate breeze, offshore, flatter inshore, dry
03:0078 Decent0.1 m11 sN26 km/h SSW462.6 m dry14°moderate breeze, offshore, flatter inshore, dry
04:0073 Decent0.1 m11 sN25 km/h SSW462.2 m 0.1 mm14°moderate breeze, offshore, flatter inshore, dry
05:0068 Decent0.1 m11 sN24 km/h SSW461.8 m 0.1 mm15°moderate breeze, offshore, flatter inshore, dry
06:0062 Decent0.1 m11 sN23 km/h SW451.6 m ▼0.1 mm15°moderate breeze, offshore, flatter inshore, dry
07:0066 Decent0.1 m10 sN22 km/h SW451.7 m ▼0.1 mm15°moderate breeze, offshore, flatter inshore, dry

Where the energy comes from

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

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

Tide today

Buncrana, 12 km away · metres above chart datum
03:5510:0516:3022:50
Low 03:55 · 1.1 mHigh 10:05 · 3.7 mLow 16:30 · 1.3 mHigh 22:50 · 3.5 m

The spot

Faces
39° NE
Swell window
WNW 300° → ENE 60°
Exposure
Open coast · model cell 2.7 km out
Water
Good Quality

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: New boardwalk to beach through dunes.Dogs on lead (Dogs are not permitted in the Blue Flag Area of this beach from 12 pm to 7 pm (1st June - 15th September annually). Dogs are permitted on leads outside the Blue Flag Area at all times.)

As listed by Donegal County Council. Open in Maps.

Sauna after?

The Hot Barrel Sauna · Portsalon Pier (also Kerrykeel Pier) · 2 km · mobile

The Swilly Sauna · Main Beach car park, Rathmullan · 12 km · mobile

itSaunatrailer · The Wee Beach, Marble Hill, Dunfanaghy · 19 km · fixed

Cocoon Sauna · Portnablagh Pier, Dunfanaghy · 20 km · fixed

Portsalon beach consists of a sandy beach along the Swilly Estuary, sheltered to the south by the high rocky headland of Knockalla and contained to the north by flat land. These are exposed at times during the tidal phase during the day. Portsalon beach supports a wide variety of seabirds and wildfowl. The Horn Head to Fanad Head SPA is situated near to this beach. This site is of high conservation value because of the extensive area of relatively unspoilt coastal habitats and the range of plant and animal species that these habitats support. The catchment area is an idyllic location for bird watching and ecological activities. Activities at Portsalon Beach include swimming, surfing, wind surfing and other land-based activities such as football, kite flying, etc. The bathing area is designated and is approx. 0.588 km2 and the extent along the water is approximately is 3060 m. The depth of the water on the shoreline increases within 2 meters off the shore to a depth of 1 meters and gradually increases.

Put Portsalon 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
🌊 Portsalon dip · Decent · sea 15° · 0.1 mFri, 2 Oct 10:30–11:30 · moderate breeze, offshore, flatter inshore, showers possible
🌊 Portsalon dip · Grand · sea 15° · 0.1 mSat, 3 Oct 10:30–11:30 · light winds, dry, calm sea
🌊 Portsalon dip · Grand · sea 15° · 0.1 mSun, 4 Oct 12:30–13:30 · moderate breeze, offshore, flatter inshore, dry

Nearby spots

Bran Lough

3 km · Co. Donegal · Not classified

Knockalla Lough

4 km · Co. Donegal · Not classified

Ballynashannagh Lough

4 km · Co. Donegal · Not classified

Lough Doira

5 km · Co. Donegal · Not classified

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