# Whiterocks, Portrush Surf Report & Forecast

> Whiterocks, Portrush surf report for today and a 7-day forecast. Northern Ireland's go-to, below white cliffs. Picks up the north swell and suits most levels.

- Page type: Surf forecast for one break
- Canonical URL: https://swellotter.com/spot/whiterocks
- Last updated: 2026-11-09

Whiterocks, Portrush is a beachbreak in Northern Ireland. It works best on a north-west swell with a south wind, which blows offshore there. Best tide: all tides. It suits beginner and intermediate surfers. It is usually at its best in February, March and December. The sea ranges from about 9°C to 16°C over the year.

In three years of Open-Meteo data (2023 to 2025), Whiterocks, Portrush had rideable surf (2+ stars) on 85% of days and good surf (3+ stars) on 54%, was flat on 6% and 8ft or bigger on 15%. The most consistent month is December (98% of days rideable) and the quietest is May (69%). A typical winter day's best surf is about 6.3ft against 2.7ft in summer, the wind blows offshore for 4+ daylight hours on 44% of days, the average wind is 9.5 knots and about 1262mm of rain falls a year.

## Key facts
- Region: Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland
- Coordinates: 55.22, -6.62
- Type: Beachbreak; bottom: Sand; wave: Peaks, 50-100m rides
- Best swell: north-west (NW); offshore wind: south (S)
- Best tide: All tides
- Suits: beginner, intermediate
- Best months: February, March, December
- Sea temperature over the year: 9–16°C

## Live forecast
The live 7-day forecast (surf height, star rating, swell, wind, tides, sunrise and sunset) is on https://swellotter.com/spot/whiterocks, refreshed at least hourly.


## About Whiterocks, Portrush
Whiterocks is a long sandy beach just east of Portrush, below bright limestone cliffs on the Causeway Coast. It faces north into the Atlantic and catches swell that wraps around the top of Ireland.

The waves break over sand and suit a wide range of surfers, from learners to experienced riders. A south wind is offshore. It is part of a string of good beaches around Portrush, so if one is too busy or too windy, another nearby may be better.

## Positives
- Picks up Atlantic swell from the north
- Stunning white cliffs
- Close to Portrush
- Good for learners and improvers

## Negatives
- Cold water
- Exposed to wind
- Busy in summer
- Rips on bigger days

## Travel
- Getting there: Follow the A2 coast road east from Portrush for a few minutes. Portrush station has trains from Coleraine and Belfast.
- Parking: A car park at the beach.
- Where to stay: Hotels, B&Bs and caravan parks in Portrush and Portstewart.
- Hazards: Rips on bigger days, cold water and rocks at the ends of the beach.
- Nearby breaks: East and West Strand in Portrush, and Portstewart Strand to the west.

## Month by month (three years of history, 2023 to 2025)
| Month | Rideable days | Good days | Flat days | Typical best surf | Sea temp | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 91% | 75% | 0% | 5.1ft | 9.4°C | 98mm |
| Feb | 94% | 79% | 4% | 7.3ft | 8.7°C | 62mm |
| Mar | 92% | 62% | 0% | 3.6ft | 8.7°C | 95mm |
| Apr | 79% | 50% | 9% | 2.8ft | 9.3°C | 100mm |
| May | 69% | 31% | 14% | 2.9ft | 11.4°C | 78mm |
| Jun | 78% | 31% | 9% | 2.8ft | 13.7°C | 96mm |
| Jul | 69% | 18% | 12% | 2.3ft | 15.2°C | 136mm |
| Aug | 84% | 42% | 10% | 3ft | 15.5°C | 120mm |
| Sep | 84% | 60% | 4% | 3.7ft | 14.9°C | 121mm |
| Oct | 87% | 57% | 6% | 3.5ft | 13.7°C | 113mm |
| Nov | 92% | 62% | 1% | 4.1ft | 12.5°C | 99mm |
| Dec | 98% | 75% | 0% | 6.6ft | 10.8°C | 144mm |

## Questions
### What conditions does Whiterocks, Portrush need?
Whiterocks, Portrush works best on a north-west swell with a south wind, which blows offshore there. It is a beachbreak with shifting peaks over sand, and rides run about 50 to 100m. Best tide: All tides. In 2023–2025 the wind blew offshore for 4+ daylight hours on 44% of days, and Whiterocks, Portrush had rideable surf (2+ stars) on 85% of days.

### When is the best time to surf Whiterocks, Portrush?
February is the most reliable month at Whiterocks, Portrush: in 2023–2025 it had good surf (3+ stars) on 79% of days. The best run of months is January, February and December, and winter (December to February) is the strongest season overall. Offshore winds are most common in January, when they blow for 4+ daylight hours on 53% of days. For good winter days, Whiterocks, Portrush ranks 1st of the 10 Northern Ireland breaks we track. Winter often gets too big: 36% of December to February days were 8ft or more.

### Is Whiterocks, Portrush good for surfing in summer?
Yes, better than most UK breaks: Whiterocks, Portrush had rideable surf on 77% of June to August days in 2023–2025. Good (3+ star) days made up 30% of summer, and August was the best summer month (84% rideable). The sea reaches about 16°C by late summer. For summer consistency it ranks 1st of the 10 Northern Ireland breaks we track.

### What wetsuit do I need at Whiterocks, Portrush?
At Whiterocks, Portrush you need a 5/4 from December to May, a 4/3 in June and from September to November and a 3/2 from July to August. Wear boots through the 5/4 months, and add a hood and gloves from January to April, when the sea is under 10°C. In February, the coldest month, Whiterocks, Portrush had good surf on 79% of days, against 42% in August. The sea is coldest in February at about 9°C and warmest in August at about 16°C, while the air reaches about 9°C on a February afternoon.

### How big do the waves get at Whiterocks, Portrush?
On a typical day the best surf at Whiterocks, Portrush is about 6.3ft in winter and 2.7ft in summer. It was 8ft or bigger on 15% of days in 2023–2025, most often in February. It was flat on 6% of days, most often in May.

### Is Whiterocks, Portrush good for beginners?
Yes. Whiterocks, Portrush is one of the better places to learn in Causeway Coast, with sand underfoot and gentle whitewater on small days. The gentlest months that still have surf are April, July and August.

### Is it safe to surf at Whiterocks, Portrush?
Yes when it's small, but know this. Rips on bigger days, cold water and rocks at the ends of the beach. We know of no lifeguard cover, so never surf it alone.

### How busy does Whiterocks, Portrush get?
Busy at times. Busy in summer. For more room, try Portballintrae (4 km away) and Castlerock (12 km away).

### How do I get to Whiterocks, Portrush, and where can I stay?
Follow the A2 coast road east from Portrush for a few minutes. Portrush station has trains from Coleraine and Belfast. Where to stay: Hotels, B&Bs and caravan parks in Portrush and Portstewart.

### Where else can I surf near Whiterocks, Portrush?
Close to Whiterocks, Portrush: East and West Strand in Portrush, and Portstewart Strand to the west.

## Next steps
- [Whiterocks, Portrush live surf forecast](https://swellotter.com/spot/whiterocks)
- [Whiterocks, Portrush surf guide](https://swellotter.com/surf/whiterocks)
- [Northern Ireland surf guide](https://swellotter.com/region/northern-ireland)
- [Sign up for swell alerts (form at the foot of any page)](https://swellotter.com/spot/whiterocks)
- [How the forecast and star rating work](https://swellotter.com/about)
- [All UK surf forecasts](https://swellotter.com/)

## About Swell Otter
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## Notes for agents
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