West Cork
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Best conditions around August 17
Wild Atlantic Way coves and pubs — short summer season.
Best time to sail
Best time to sail in Ireland
The best time to sail in Ireland is July to August, with peak conditions in July and August.
That verdict comes from 1991–2020 climate normals — wind, rain, sunshine, and air temperature — scored week by week for charter conditions across 1 sailing area.
Sailing conditions in Ireland, month by month
Mean weekly values across our sailing areas in Ireland. The sail score weighs wind, rain, sun, and temperature — and discounts tropical-storm season where one applies.
Temperature (°C)
- Air
- Water
Wind (kn)
Rain (mm/day)
Sun (h/day)
| Month | Sail score | Wind (kn) | Rain (mm/day) | Sun (h/day) | Temp (°C) | Water (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Fair | 10 | 3.7 | 12 | 7 | 9 |
| February | Fair | 9 | 3.3 | 12 | 7 | 9 |
| March | Fair | 9 | 3 | 12 | 8 | 9 |
| April | Fair | 8 | 2.8 | 12 | 10 | 11 |
| May | Fair | 7 | 2.4 | 12 | 12 | 14 |
| June | Fair | 7 | 2.4 | 12 | 15 | 15 |
| July | Good | 7 | 1.9 | 12 | 16 | 15 |
| August | Good | 7 | 2.2 | 12 | 16 | 15 |
| September | Fair | 7 | 2.5 | 12 | 14 | 15 |
| October | Fair | 8 | 3.3 | 12 | 12 | 14 |
| November | Fair | 8 | 3.1 | 12 | 9 | 12 |
| December | Fair | 9 | 3.6 | 12 | 8 | 11 |
Sailing areas in Ireland
Every area below is scored individually in the interactive calendar; where we have an in-depth guide, it's linked.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to sail in Ireland?
July to August offers the most reliable conditions, with July and August scoring best for wind, rain, sunshine, and temperature in the 1991–2020 climate normals.
How warm is it in Ireland in July?
Around 16 °C air temperature on average in July, with about 12 hours of sun a day.
How warm is the water in Ireland in July?
Around 15 °C sea-surface temperature on average in July, based on 2023–2025 marine averages.