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Machrihanish Seasonal Surf Averages

Based on the last ten years data for this location this page gives seasonal trends and an idea of what kind of conditions you can expect and when. Of course these are just averages - it's worth reading carefully to understand exactly what they mean and to recognise the kind of variation you could expect on a trip because an average can never tell the whole story. Click on a month below to see more detail.
If you want a past forecast for a specific date range then click here.

Local Photo


Swell Consistency and Wind Overview

Wind Swell Ground Swell
91%
79%

12%

Jan
91%
74%

17%

Feb
85%
64%

21%

Mar
76%
47%

29%

Apr
67%
23%

44%

May
64%
13%

51%

Jun
62%
8%

54%

Jul
61%
8%

53%

Aug
71%
30%

41%

Sep
73%
42%

31%

Oct
86%
56%

30%

Nov
86%
66%

20%

Dec
This graph shows the percentage of days that had a ridable wind swell (7 seconds period or more) or groundswell (10 seconds period or more) of over 3ft. It also shows the dominant wind direction. Not all of these days will neccessarily give great surf, and very short lived wind swells or longer period secondary swells may produce surf not recorded, but it gives a clear idea of the seasonal trend and a rough guide to the chances of scoring something ridable.

Monthly Overview

Jan
Swell
Consistency
91%
Average Swell
Height
14ft
Average Swell
Period
12s
Dominant Wind
Dominant Swell
Feb
Swell
Consistency
91%
Average Swell
Height
14ft
Average Swell
Period
12s
Dominant Wind
Dominant Swell
Mar
Swell
Consistency
85%
Average Swell
Height
10ft
Average Swell
Period
11s
Dominant Wind
Dominant Swell
Apr
Swell
Consistency
76%
Average Swell
Height
8ft
Average Swell
Period
10s
Dominant Wind
Dominant Swell
May
Swell
Consistency
67%
Average Swell
Height
6ft
Average Swell
Period
10s
Dominant Wind
Dominant Swell
Jun
Swell
Consistency
64%
Average Swell
Height
6ft
Average Swell
Period
9s
Dominant Wind
Dominant Swell
Jul
Swell
Consistency
62%
Average Swell
Height
6ft
Average Swell
Period
9s
Dominant Wind
Dominant Swell
Aug
Swell
Consistency
61%
Average Swell
Height
6ft
Average Swell
Period
9s
Dominant Wind
Dominant Swell
Sep
Swell
Consistency
71%
Average Swell
Height
8ft
Average Swell
Period
10s
Dominant Wind
Dominant Swell
Oct
Swell
Consistency
73%
Average Swell
Height
10ft
Average Swell
Period
10s
Dominant Wind
Dominant Swell
Nov
Swell
Consistency
86%
Average Swell
Height
11ft
Average Swell
Period
11s
Dominant Wind
Dominant Swell
Dec
Swell
Consistency
86%
Average Swell
Height
12ft
Average Swell
Period
11s
Dominant Wind
Dominant Swell

Understanding this Data

These swell averages are calculated ONLY on swells of more than 7 seconds period. This means this is the average height of a swell that's likely to produce ridable surf NOT an average of every wave heading toward the beach in a month. Likewise the period is the average period OVER 7 seconds. There will be days that have short period wind swells that won't produce and ridable swell and these are excluded from the averages. The consistency figure gives the percentage of days that meet this condition.

For example if the consistency is 50% you could expect the 'average' swell for about 15 days in the month. Of course an average tells only part of the story. A combination of very large and very small swells may produce the same average as a consistent medium sized swell.

Monthly Data

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Nearby Spots

Graveyards
Caravans
Dunaverty
Laggan Bay
Ardnave Bay
Islay (Machir Bay)
Lossit Bay
Saligo Bay
Portrush
Benone Strand
Newcastle
Culdaff
North Malin
Balephuil
Port Bharrapol (Tiree)
Pollan Bay
Balevullin
The Maze
The Hough
Barrel Rock
The Point
S*** Pipe
drivers
The edge
Isle of Man
Clogherhead
Glenbrittle
Talisker Bay
Dublin Area
Rosapenna
Dunfanaghy
Staffin Bay
St Bees
Rhosneigr (Traeth Llydan)
Rossnowlagh
Silecroft
Tullan Strand
Dooey Beach
Bundoran - The Peak
Scarasta
Aberdaron
Hosta
Hells Mouth (Porth Neigwl)
Mullaghmore Head
Mullaghmore Strand
Surf Snowdonia
Isle of Lewis
Mangersta
Cliff
Dalbeg
St Andrews West
Harlech to Barmouth
St Andrews East
Port of Ness
Curracloe
Strandhill
Eoropie
Blackpool South
Barmouth
Seacliff
Sandwood Bay
Brora Beach
Kingsbarns
Dunmoran Strand
Belhaven Bay (Dunbar)
Sango Bay
Durness (Balnakeil Bay)
Tywyn to Aberdovey
Arbroath
Lossiemouth