From the top of the Conor Pass (the highest mountain in Ireland), you can see the whole horseshoe sweep of Brandon Bay facing NW. For a combination of surfing and windsurfing this is one of the best places in Europe. Within the area from Fermoyle to Scraggane Bay in the Maharees, you can experience all types of conditions suitable for everyone from beginners to pro’s. The winds funnel down between the mountains and the surf is formed by the shelf at the edge of Brandon Bay Deep. It picks up most directions of swell and works in most wind directions.

1. Mossies- Probably one of the best surfing waves in Europe. It’s situated opposite Spillane’s Bar in Fahamore. Unless you like a long paddle out, access is easiest from Garywilliam point by driving to the end of the road, walking between the houses and down the cliff to see a peak which breaks left and right. Offshore wind is E and it picks up any direction of swell. Good on NW at all tides but best in the incoming. It’s a rocky reef so beware at low tide.

2. Dumps- Half way between Sandy Bay and Fahamore close to the road on the Brandon Bay side is a gap in the sandhills facing west. So cross-shore winds from north or south at low to mid tide give you the best waves. At high tide the name Dumps reveals it’s origins - you will be dumped onto the stones, so beware! Many a mast has been destroyed by the shorebreak at high tide. Beware of rocks at low spring tides.

3. Kilcummin- West of Gowlane, Kilcummin is often the spot favoured by windsurfers when the wind is closer to west than southwest. Often with smaller waves than Gowlane and Stradbally, Kilcummin can provide fantastic jumping and riding for not so experienced. If a big swell is running the rollers can still be huge but perfectly formed.

4. Gowlane- West of Stradbally, Gowlane is the preferred spot to windsurf when the wind is from the southwest. Big swells can push huge rollers into Gowlane for the best wavesailors to enjoy. If the swell is small this spot can provide an excellent introduction to wave-riding and jumping. Mast high waves and above are not uncommon at this spot. Best at mid tide, bigger when tide is on the push. Often gusty and dumpy near high tide.

5. Stradbally- West of Castlegregory and east of Fermoyle is Stradbally, a well-known windsurf spot. In a sideshore wind (S-SW), it really picks up the swell with well placed waves. Some of the best wave riding, jumping and out and out windsurfing in Ireland. Stradbally can provide excellent wave riding and jumping for all levels of windsurfer from improvers upwards. Best at mid tide, bigger when tide is on the push. Often gusty and dumpy near high tide.

6. Three Peaks- East of Gowlane is one of the best places for surfing and windsurfing for safe fun. For windsurfers, it is best in S to SW crosshore winds as it breaks from left to right on a shallow sandbank and best at rising mid tide. Surfers should line up three white poles on Stradbally golf course for the peak.

7. Sandy Bay- This place is ideal for beginners and families on holiday. There is plenty of accommodation in the area and safe sheltered beaches with a resident lifeguard from June to August. A great place to learn the basics with more challenging waves close by. Its the site for windsurfing school run by Jamie Knox.

8. Stoney Gap- Situated between the two Sandy Bay Caravan Parks on the Brandon Bay side. This can be accessed by driving through the sandhills. For windsurfers the crosshore winds are S to SW, best at mid tide. Good in NW with small swell but dangerous in a big swell!! Surfing can be good at low tide.

9. Scraggane- Drive past our shop and past the “Green Room Bar” and follow down to the sea. Good place for slalom blasting. Best in south to south-east winds (cross offshore or offshore). Safe for intermediate riders who love to blast on glassy water. The more south there is in the wind direction, the flatter the water becomes making it resemble a speed course!

Many thanks to Jamie Knox Watersports for this guide. As well as having a famous reputation for providing high quality windsurfing, kitesurfing and surfing tuition, they provide excellent accommodation in their very own surf lodge. Click here for more details or visit www.jamieknox.com.