Surfing in and near Sligo

Situated as they are along Ireland’s exposed westerly facing coast, county Sligo’s surfing spots are serious swell magnets. Strandhill, a sleepy seaside village just outside Sligo, boasts two surfing schools. Both Perfect Day- and Strandhill Surfing School are renowned for their progressive techniques and offer Sligo’s visiting surfing enthusiasts a variety of lessons in lively surroundings.

Perfect Day Surf Shop & School

Our surf school is backed by our solid 10 year reputation for being one of the safest and most progressive schools in Ireland. Perfect Day Surf School is your first choice whether it's your first time or if looking for more serious professional coaching. ... more

The Irish coastline is the ideal place to catch that perfect wave. It's one of the most resplendent and abundant surfing spots in Europe, and armed with a good wetsuit to protect you against the icy cold water, you'll find there is an uncrowded surfing wonderland just waiting for you to explore.

The best time to visit Ireland for a surfing holiday is between September and May, when the waves are at their biggest and best. Seaside towns are filled with wave-riding locals and visitors when the waves are at their most impressive.

Some of the best swells can be found off the coast of County Donegal, where surfing spots are plentiful, with a huge array of wide reef and beach breaks with predominant offshores. If big-wave surfing is your thing there are also some spots with swells of up to 20ft and more. Surfing in Bundoran, you'll have access to several surf shops offering lessons in some of the most popular spots along the Donegal coastline.

Those looking to do a spot of surfing in Lahinch will not be disappointed. Situated on the west coast of county Clare this seaside town boasts some excellent waves. Several surf shops operate out of the area and it's great place to learn, so you can attempt to stand up on your board and catch your first wavelet. As a lively tourist town, Lahinch is also known for its nightlife, so there will be plenty of places to enjoy a pint and brag about all the amazing waves you have conquered.

There are also more challenging locations along the coastline for more experienced surfers. If you are already an experienced surfer and looking for a location in Ireland to test your chops, surfing in Portsteward on the Antrim coast of Northern Ireland will be right up your alley. The best time to surf here is in winter when the choppy Causeway Coast produces some of the largest swells in the country.