10-day surf forecast with Strike Scores for Riley's, Ballard Bay, Co. Clare, Ireland
Riley's is the proving ground for Ireland's big wave chargers—a shallow, heavy slab that serves as training for the more serious Aileens nearby. The wave breaks over a dangerously shallow reef in Ballard Bay and requires a treacherous cliff trek to access. Often too shallow to surf safely, Riley's demands precise conditions and serious commitment. The cold Atlantic water and hostile Irish weather add to the challenge. This is where aspiring Irish big wave surfers cut their teeth.
Best day in the forecast: 2026-08-10 with a score of 13/100 (Poor)
Poor conditions overall: Average score 2/100. Look for spots with better forecasts.
Poor alignment: Swell from 326° is 41° off optimal 285°, barely within workable range 250°-320°.
Too small: 1.0m is below minimum 1.5m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
Short period: 7s is below minimum 12s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
Onshore/cross-shore: 37 km/h from 306° (NW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 45°-135°.
-10 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
-7 points: Short-period windswell is present, creating choppy, disorganized conditions.
Poor conditions at Riley's. Either swell direction (326°), size (1.0m), or wind (37 km/h from 306°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.0m (3.3ft) swell from 326° (NW) at 7.1s period
Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)
Moderate alignment: Swell from 293° is 8° off optimal 285°, workable but not ideal.
Short period: 10s is below minimum 12s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
Onshore/cross-shore: 17 km/h from 282° (WNW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 45°-135°.
-17 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
Poor conditions at Riley's. Either swell direction (293°), size (1.0m), or wind (17 km/h from 282°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.0m (3.3ft) swell from 293° (WNW) at 9.5s period
Moderate alignment: Swell from 300° is 15° off optimal 285°, workable but not ideal.
Too small: 1.3m is below minimum 1.5m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
Short period: 9s is below minimum 12s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
Onshore/cross-shore: 21 km/h from 233° (SW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 45°-135°.
-11 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
Poor conditions at Riley's. Either swell direction (300°), size (1.3m), or wind (21 km/h from 233°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.3m (4.3ft) swell from 300° (WNW) at 8.8s period
Marginal size: 1.5m is 1.3m from ideal 2.8m.
Onshore/cross-shore: 26 km/h from 223° (SW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 45°-135°.
-14 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
Poor conditions at Riley's. Either swell direction (293°), size (1.5m), or wind (26 km/h from 223°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.5m (4.9ft) swell from 293° (WNW) at 9s period
Good alignment: Swell from 291° is 6° off optimal 285°, still within prime range.
Marginal size: 1.9m is 0.9m from ideal 2.8m.
Onshore/cross-shore: 19 km/h from 274° (W). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 45°-135°.
Poor conditions at Riley's. Either swell direction (291°), size (1.9m), or wind (19 km/h from 274°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.9m (6.2ft) swell from 291° (WNW) at 9s period
Moderate alignment: Swell from 294° is 9° off optimal 285°, workable but not ideal.
Marginal size: 2.4m is 0.4m from ideal 2.8m.
Short period: 8s is below minimum 12s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
Onshore/cross-shore: 21 km/h from 263° (W). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 45°-135°.
Poor conditions at Riley's. Either swell direction (294°), size (2.4m), or wind (21 km/h from 263°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
2.4m (7.9ft) swell from 294° (WNW) at 8s period
Moderate alignment: Swell from 272° is 13° off optimal 285°, workable but not ideal.
Too small: 1.2m is below minimum 1.5m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
Onshore/cross-shore: 29 km/h from 162° (SSE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 45°-135°.
Poor conditions at Riley's. Either swell direction (272°), size (1.2m), or wind (29 km/h from 162°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.2m (3.9ft) swell from 272° (W) at 8s period
Poor alignment: Swell from 249° is 36° off optimal 285°, barely within workable range 250°-320°.
Onshore/cross-shore: 42 km/h from 240° (WSW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 45°-135°.
-10 points: Short-period windswell is present, creating choppy, disorganized conditions.
Poor conditions at Riley's. Either swell direction (249°), size (1.5m), or wind (42 km/h from 240°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.5m (4.9ft) swell from 249° (WSW) at 10s period
Very low confidence (8-10 day forecast, conditions may change)
Good alignment: Swell from 288° is 3° off optimal 285°, still within prime range.
Marginal size: 2.3m is 0.5m from ideal 2.8m.
Onshore/cross-shore: 19 km/h from 207° (SSW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 45°-135°.
-21 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
Poor conditions at Riley's. Either swell direction (288°), size (2.3m), or wind (19 km/h from 207°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
2.3m (7.5ft) swell from 288° (WNW) at 9s period
Poor alignment: Swell from 247° is 38° off optimal 285°, barely within workable range 250°-320°.
Too small: 0.6m is below minimum 1.5m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
Onshore/cross-shore: 20 km/h from 262° (W). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 45°-135°.
Poor conditions at Riley's. Either swell direction (247°), size (0.6m), or wind (20 km/h from 262°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.6m (2.0ft) swell from 247° (WSW) at 9s period
Open-Meteo Weather API (wind/weather data)