Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 13 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 14 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 11s period, W swell with 36 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Back Strands this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Back Strands in the next 16 days are 0.4m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Tue 14th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Back Strands.
To be straight with you, the next week and a half is a write-off. We’re looking at a long, flat spell. From Monday the 13th of July right through to Monday the 20th of July, there’s barely a ripple. Swell heights are hanging around 0.6 ft to 1 ft, and the combined energy is in the single digits or low teens. That’s weak, weak stuff. The winds are mostly cross-off or onshore, but even on the glassy moments, there’s just no wave to ride. It’s a frustrating stretch of poor surf conditions, day after day.
Now, things start to wake up a little on Tuesday the 21st of July. The morning is where you’d want to be. Swell bumps up to 3 ft from the W, with a period of 8 seconds. The combined energy jumps to 105 (moderate), and we get a clean, cross-off wind out of the SW at 6 mph. It’s surfable, but it’s nothing special. The afternoon turns choppy, so get it early.
The standout, if we can call it that, comes on Wednesday the 22nd of July. The morning session sees swell reaching 3 ft from the W, period still around 8 seconds, and combined energy at 147 (solidly moderate). The wind is SSW at 15 mph, which is cross-off, keeping it clean. This is the best looking window in the whole outlook. But don't get too excited – the afternoon goes downhill fast with a fresh cross-on breeze and rain.
After that, it’s back to small, lumpy, and messy through the end of the month. There are a couple of moments on Sunday the 26th of July afternoon where it goes glassy, but the swell is only 0.9 ft. Not worth paddling out for.
The water is running at 61°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you won’t need the thickest wetsuit.
In short, if you’re desperate, the morning of Wednesday the 22nd is your best bet. Otherwise, save the gas.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed afternoon, min 15°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | W 13 | W 12 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 9 | W 12 | W 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 10 | 14 | 23 | 36 | 31 | 16 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 24 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 14 | 12 | 21 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 5:48PM3.50m | 6:16AM3.26m | 6:39PM3.74m | 7:07AM3.31m | 7:27PM3.91m | 7:54AM3.29m | 8:14PM3.97m | 8:40AM3.22m | 8:59PM3.91m | 9:25AM3.10m | 9:43PM3.72m | 10:10AM2.95m | 10:28PM3.45m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:23AM0.36m | 00:01AM0.23m | 12:13PM0.21m | 00:53AM0.06m | 12:59PM0.12m | 1:43AM-0.02m | 1:43PM0.09m | 2:30AM0.00m | 2:27PM0.15m | 3:15AM0.12m | 3:10PM0.28m | 4:00AM0.30m | 3:55PM0.49m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:18 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — |
 | — | — | 10:02 | — | — | 10:01 | — | — | 10:00 | — | — | 9:59 | — | — | 9:58 | — | — | 9:57 | — | — | 9:55 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 23 | 18 | 21 | 24 | 20 | 23 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 26 | 23 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 19 | 22 | 16 | 19 | 22 | 17 | 21 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 12 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 |
| kJ | 10 | 10 | 23 | 36 | 31 | 16 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 24 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 14 | 12 | 12 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 14 | W 13 | WNW 7 | — | W 18 | — | W 11 | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | NNW 4 | W 8 | W 7 | NNW 3 | NW 6 | W 12 | W 11 |
| kJ | 4 | 14 | 5 | — | 6 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 21 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 20 | WNW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 4 | W 11 | W 7 | W 13 | NW 6 | NW 6 |
| kJ | — | 7 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 2 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 292 | 117 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 32 | 46 | 117 | 117 | 117 | 117 | 117 | 292 | 442 | 117 | 231 | 399 | 399 | 399 | 119 | 32 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Sligo | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Ireland | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Back Strands Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Back Strands provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Back Strands can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Back Strands surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Back Strands) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Back Strands may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Are you planning a holiday in Sligo? If you are looking for accommodation near Back Strands, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Sligo, consider staying in Sligo which is 19 km (12 miles) away. Other places in and around Sligo where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Killybegs which is 21 km (13 miles) away, Enniskillen, Ballina and Letterkenny.
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