The Mullaghmore surf is famed as Ireland’s answer to Nazare and Jaws. There’s an XXL break here that strikes fear. But the greater region is rife with all-level spots on wild Irish coastline, so don’t discount before you read this guide…
An introduction to Mullaghmore surf
You hear that? It’s bomb alarm! They go off here at Mullaghmore, a spot that’s considered a big wave for real big wave surfers. The chargers that conquer this one scoff at Nazare et al. 86 foot? Size isn’t everything, you know?
Mullaghmore is an XL break with real moxie. It’s defined by a huge slabby lip that thunders over like Choops on craic, sucking off a barnacle-infested ledge of rock and ripping leftwards into shallow paddle channels that are rife with danger.
It is NOT your everyperson wave. Not even close. There’s like a handful of people who can do it, and most of them are natives of the Emerald Isle and know the break back to front.
For us, your humble writers, and you – most of our readers – this will be a spectator affair. It goes off in the winter months only; January is usually prime.
That said, the great Sligo and Co Donegal coastlines are amazing for mortals like yours truly. Make the drive east to Bundoran for all-level surfing and some majestically wonderful beach and reef spots that should work year round.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
This guide is just one part of our complete guide to surfing in Ireland
Mullaghmore at a glance
The good…
The bad…
What’s in this guide to Mullaghmore?
Where is Mullaghmore?
Mullaghmore is an oyster-shaped headland that pokes out of a bend in the coastline of County Sligo. It’s no more than 15 minutes’ driving from Ireland’s most famous surf town: Bundoran.
The wave that most people talk about breaks about 100m off from the reef that rings the base of the cliffs. There are other surf spots tucked on both sides that way more protected, way more accessible.
To get here, you’ll need a car. Hire one – we use RentalCars.com cos they let you cancel real late on most bookings and we’re flakes – or hitch a ride with someone you know. Part of the charm is that Mullaghmore is very remote. You’re looking at nearly 3 hours’ drive from Dublin.
Surf spots in Mullaghmore
The Mullaghmore headland is the famous spot here, but there’s more to this region than just that – be sure check out Bundoran for learner beaches and intermediate reef spots, plus other beaches nearby for remote surfs on classic Irish sandbars.
Bundoran
There’s no more famous a surf town in the whole of Ireland than Bundoran. Come here to plan your summer surf lessons and get in the water with the groms. Tullan Strand and other beaches to the north and west of town offer ample whitewash and sand-bottomed breaks for learners. More advanced riders get the fantastic Main Peak plus the inner-city reef breaks that are like an Irish Indo; peeling, tapering, only with sub-zero H2O.
We have a complete guide to Bundoran right here
Mullaghmore Beach
Mullaghmore Beach is a whole different story to the massive reef break on the top end of the headland.
Tucked behind the peninsula to the east, it’s got some fantastic protection from dominant W winds and really enjoys S-SW winds, which are offshore. Yes, it will need some decent size to work, but when it does it’s a great place for all levels, offering lots of nice sandbar peaks up and down its length; smaller as you near the town, bigger as you head east.
Mullaghmore
The wave you came here to hear about really needs no introduction. Nazare aside, it’s probably now Europe’s most legendary big wave. To be honest, one look at the Red Bull vids and you’ll see why – it’s a real kraken, which can make Portugal’s famous Praia Norte look positively tame when midwinter storms fire it into overdrive.
The Mullaghmore XL wave breaks just off the northwestern side of the Mullaghmore Head, about 500m north of the village of the same name. It starts a stone’s throw in front of a little cluster of reef that you can just about see poking above the water. On still, summer days, there are little rock pools down there but come midwinter you wouldn’t want to be anywhere near.
Tow-out crews will speed around from the harbor on the eastern side of the headland and take turns pulling into the take-off zone, which is fraught with danger since its small and this wave is really unpredictable. Sometimes, the whole thing will just lurch up and suck you down with it – many bones have been broken there as paddlers get stuck in the impact zone.
To make the wave you need to tow right up to the breaking left-hand lip and drop in superhuman fast. It’s usually a case of ripping straight down the wave front and hoping to god that that 2-meter thick lip doesn’t catch up with you.
Mullaghmore can hold anything really but tends to be at its monstrous best around the 30-40 foot range when winds aren’t too crazy.
To watch – as 99% of will be coming here to do – pull up the car nice and early to the road that rings the headland. It offers front-row seats and you don’t even have to leave the driver’s seat.
Hotels in Mullaghmore?
The stays in and around Mullaghmore are one of the great joys of making a pilgrimage to this legend of a surf spot. If you want to see the chargers do their thing in midwinter, then book into a cozy cottage or inn in these surrounds for real immersion in the Irish countryside and coast.
- Castle View Suite – The view of the Classiebawn Castle and the high mountains behind it is epic in the winter, when snow and mists move over the ridges. This stay has front-on views of that and is downright cozy to the T. It’s also just around the corner from the big waves.
- Teapot Lane Glamping – An adult’s only glamping site with sky domes and private belltent plots that are divided up by wild meadows. It’s a great option for couples who like to be outdoors and puts you midway between Mullaghmore and Bundoran, where mortals can go to surf.
- Marsh Cottage – A charming country escape in the fields of Co Sligo south of Mullaghmore Head. Channel those inner Irish farmer vibes.
Step-by-step guide to planning your Mullaghmore surf trip right now
Step one: Book flights to the Mullaghmore surf…Lately, we like Omio for searching flights. It’s a nice interface and has lots of airline options. We also use Skyscanner because that sometimes offers deals that even beat going direct to the carrier!
Step two: Book your surf camp Book Surf Camps is the numero uno online booking platform for fully-fledged surf-stay packages on the internet right now. Then there’s Booking.com. That has consistently unbeatable rates for hotels and a nifty map feature that lets you check EXACTLY how close your hotel is to a surf break.
Step three: Get insuranceThis is kinda’ important. Not just for surf trips but for any trips. SafetyWing is great for nomad travelers. They offer rolling contracts that cover amateur surfing.
Step four (optional): Rent a car If you’re surf camping then you might not need wheels. If you’re not then we’ll just say this: We’ve never been on a surf trip that wasn’t improved by having our own car. Use RentalCars – they’re the best.
Step five: Enjoy!
For paying for stuff when you’re traveling – Get a Wise borderless card/account. They charge NOTHING for POS payments in any country and have some of the best FX rates around in our humble opinion.
Surf lessons in Mullaghmore
Look: No one does surf lessons on Mullaghmore. Have you learned nothing from this guide?
However, the region around this famous spot is pretty frickin great for learning. Head to Bundoran, where you’ll find…
- The Bundoran Surf Co – These guys do some of the best 2-hour lesson packages around. They can cater to solo travelers, couples, families, groms, intermediates, you name it. They have excellent equipment and know the beaches of Bundoran so well that they can find waves when it looks like none exist.
When to surf in Mullaghmore?
The best time to chase the XL waves that Mullaghmore is famous for is the winter.
The spot basically does not work in the summer. It needs huge low-pressure storms and comes into its own when the swell peaks over 15 feet. That’s December to March stuff.
For the rest of the region, and for surfing breaks around Bundoran, there’s no main season – the region is highly consistent and works all year. That said, summer tends to be better for beginners and the shoulder seasons of fall and spring are better for intermediates.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
