Local Surf Breaks

The Peak

The Peak, Bundoran, Co. Donegal, Ireland. Surf Break. Surf in Ireland.

The Peak is Ireland's best known wave. It is situated 150 yards off the shore in the middle of town and is clearly visible from the Bradog river bridge. It’s a perfect ‘Peak’ with a left and right running down the reef either side. The left is longer with more sections and the right is shorter and hollower.

The Peak is suited to the more experienced surfer, because of its shallow breaking hollow nature. It works best at low to mid tide on the push. It starts to break at 2-3 foot and it can handle triple overhead waves. The Peak is best on an offshore wind but can be loads of fun on a light onshore making the sections super smackable.

The peak has played host to countless surfing contests and events over the last 3 decades... examples include the European Surfing Championships in 1997 and the Quiksilver World Masters in 2001. Most of the world’s best surfers including Kelly Slater and Tom Curran have scored some great rides on the Peak.

Things to watch out for:

  • The Peak is a reef and breaks over shallow rock.
  • Being an experienced surfer is vital to tackle this wave.
  • The Peak has a solid local crew of surfers, so show respect and you will receive it back.

Tullan Strand

Tullan Strand, Bundoran, Co. Donegal, Ireland. Surf Break. Surf in Ireland.

Tullan Strand is a 2km beach stretching from the north end of Bundoran to the Erne Estuary at Ballyshannon. It is considered Ireland’s most consistent beach break. Add to this the beautiful back drop of the Sligo-Leitrim Mountains and extensive network of sandunes, it’s also no surprise that it’s considered one of Ireland’s most picturesque beaches.

Tullan is open to almost any swell going. Although there are waves along the whole stretch of beach, it works best at low tide at the south end of the strand. It can hold waves up to 6 feet and works best on an offshore wind. Tullan is a wave for every level of surfer although high tide is most suited to beginners.

Things to watch out for:

  • Overcrowding can be a problem on small cleans days especially at weekends and in summer. The beach attracts wave riders of every type, from short boarders, long boarders, canoeists and body boarders etc. Always be mindful of fellow surfers on the busy day.
  • The entry point off the ‘Fairy Bridges’ has sharp rocks, so be careful not to slip and cut yourself or damage your board. Jellyfish and weaver fish can be hazard in Summer months.

Main Beach

Main Beach, Bundoran, Co. Donegal, Ireland. Surf Break. Surf in Ireland.

The main beach is situated in front of Bundoran’s main promenade. It is the beach where all of Bundoran’s grommet surfers learn to surf. The Main Beach is a small stretch of beach but at high tide on a 2-3 foot swell it can produce some great rippable left and right-handers. A local gem of a wave on its day, but it has a very fickle sand build up and can peal one day and close out the next. It is unique in that it breaks better on an onshore wind than an offshore one.

Things to watch out for:

  • On a medium to large swell (especially on an outgoing tide) the rip can be very strong from left to right and along the Rougey rocks.
  • The main Beach is life guarded in summer months and can get very busy with swimmers on hot sunny days.

Inside Left

Inside Left, Bundoran, Co. Donegal, Ireland. Surf Break. Surf in Ireland.

Situated just to the right of the Peak, Inside Left is a low tide only wave. It breaks along a shallow ledge of reef producing a hollow take off and barrelling first section, followed by a long pealing wall all the way to the sandbar. Inside Left can be tricky on take off on very low tide, but offers a great platform for turning and high performance manoeuvres.

Things to watch out for:

  • Like 'The Peak', Inside Left breaks over a rock reef. It is definitely for intermediate to advanced surfers only.
  • Shallow urchin filled pools on entry and exit points. Booties are a good idea!

Boat Quay

The Boat Quay, Bundoran, Co. Donegal, Ireland. Surf Break. Surf in Ireland.

Situated behind Bundoran’s fishing boat harbour the Boat Quay is one of Bundoran’s most illusive waves. It is difficult to get all the conditions right, but if you do you will be rewarded with a great hallow fast left-hander.

The boat quay needs a large swell in excess of 6 foot to work properly. One hour before high tide and one hour after are the best times to surf the Bundoran Boat Quay.

Things to watch out for:

  • Strong rips develop on outgoing tides.
  • On a really high tide the end section rebounds off the harbour wall.

PMPA

PMPA, Bundoran, Co. Donegal, Ireland. Surf Break. Surf in Ireland.

PMPA is situated at the south end of the bay. It boosts a freight train stand up left-handed barrel. PMPA is definitely for experts only. It’s a very shallow slab of rock onto reef with a vertical takeoff and dredging tube all the way to the end of the reef... or Wilsie’s corner as the locals call it.

PMPA is very popular with local and visiting surfers alike. It can get busy with surfers, body boarders and water photographers all trying to ride or capture one of its cavernous pits. It breaks best on a straight west swell on a high tide and offshore wind.

Things to watch out for:

  • PMPA is a very shallow wave and claims its fair share of broken boards and broken skin every year.
  • The wave allows very little room for error and is not a place you go to practise your turns.

Blackspot

Blackspot, Bundoran, Co. Donegal, Ireland. Surf Break. Surf in Ireland.

Situated at the very south end of Bundoran on the Donegal-Leitrim border, Blackspot offers two waves for the price of one. At low tide it is a short, very hollow, slabbing left-handed barrel and at high tide it turns into a long double hollow section right-hander.

Blackspot needs a swell from 3 foot upwards to work properly. Light offshore wind and keeping an eye on the tides are essential for surfing here.

Things to watch out for:

  • Blackspot has a pretty tricky entry and exit area with slippy rocks and swell ebbing and flowing for several meters over the rocks.
  • Watch out for shallow sections at both ends.

3D

3d, Bundoran, Co. Donegal, Ireland. Surf Break. Surf in Ireland.

3D is one of the heaviest most dangerous waves in Bundoran. It i’s a very hollow with an extremely shallow slab and dry end sections on both the left and right. Definitely for advanced surfers and body boarders only. It’s best on a really high tide and swell between 3-6 feet.

Things to watch out for:

  • Pretty much everything about this wave is gnarly!
  • Barely covered sharp reef.
  • Heavy hollow chunks of water barrelling out.
  • Dry end sections.
  • If you do survive all the hazards and make one of its fantastic tubes it will definitely be worth it.

Sand Bar

Sand Bar, Bundoran, Co. Donegal, Ireland. Surf Break. Surf in Ireland.

The sand bar is a bank of sand sitting off the main beach between 3D and the rocks of Rougey. It breaks only at low tide and is normally a fun lefthander but depending on the swell direction it can produce some rights. It breaks best from 2-5 foot and it can also handle a light to moderate onshore wind.

Things to watch out for:

  • A strong rip runs along the end section.
  • Above 3 feet it can produce a pretty heavy shore break.