Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 2 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 7 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 5 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, W swell with 1,629 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 7 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period with W swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Back Strands this week:
The surf forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 07) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Back Strands in the next 16 days are 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 2s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Fri 7th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Fri 7th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Wed 5th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, listen up. We've got a long, flat stretch ahead of us before things finally wake up. The next week and a half is looking pretty grim, with hardly a ripple on offer. You'll be checking the cam and wondering if the ocean is still there. It's a real test of patience.
The first faint hope shows up on Friday the 14th, with a marginal 5ft at Back Strands. But with onshore winds, it's not going to be pretty. Keep the hopes in check for that one.
The real story is the pulse arriving the following week. Sunday the 16th is the one to circle. The swell comes in at 6ft from the West, with an 8-second period. The energy is moderate at 382, and the wind is a light offshore breeze from the south. That's the cleanest, most user-friendly window we've seen in ages. The water is 61°, which is a touch warmer than usual, so it won't be a total ice bath.
Then Monday the 17th kicks it up a notch. The swell builds to 6ft from the WNW, with the period stretching to 9 seconds. The energy jumps to 611, which is a solid push. The wind is lighter, but it's a cross-onshore, so it'll be a bit lumpier than Sunday. That one has the size and power for the experienced crew looking for a proper hit.
So, for the beginner to intermediate surfer, hit it Sunday morning. For the more advanced, Monday morning is where the grunt is. It's a long way off, so we'll have to watch the charts, but it's the light at the end of the tunnel.
Rusty, out.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 27mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue afternoon, strong winds from the WNW by Wed morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WNW on Wed afternoon, light winds from the WSW by Fri night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 9 | NW 9 | W 11 | WNW 4 | WNW 7 | W 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 31 | 20 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 16 | 590 | 1629 | 307 | 105 | 40 | 27 | 129 | 189 | 210 | 228 | 195 | 99 |
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 | off | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 9:04PM3.50m | 9:25AM2.98m | 9:38PM3.38m | 10:04AM2.91m | 10:18PM3.21m | 10:49AM2.80m | 11:06PM3.01m | 11:45AM2.69m | 00:08AM2.80m | 12:58PM2.63m | 1:30AM2.67m | 2:23PM2.69m | 3:01AM2.68m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:15AM0.38m | 3:13PM0.48m | 3:50AM0.46m | 3:52PM0.63m | 4:31AM0.58m | 4:39PM0.80m | 5:21AM0.75m | 5:39PM0.97m | 6:27AM0.90m | 7:03PM1.08m | 7:52AM0.97m | 8:42PM1.01m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  | |  | | | |  |  |  | | | | |  | |  | |
 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — |
 | — | 9:32 | — | — | 9:30 | — | — | 9:29 | — | — | 9:27 | — | — | 9:24 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:21 |
mm | 2 | 2 | — | — | 6 | 2 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | — | 1 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 15 | 19 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 13 | 12 | 11 | 18 | 12 | 19 | 19 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NW 9 | NW 9 | — | — | — | — | W 10 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 9 | — | — | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 |
| kJ | 31 | 20 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 40 | 25 | 129 | — | — | 228 | 195 | 99 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 6 | NW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | WNW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 8 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 27 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NW 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 3 | — | WNW 4 | WNW 7 | W 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | — | — | SSW 3 | W 9 | W 8 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 16 | 590 | 1629 | 307 | 105 | — | — | 4 | 189 | 210 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 7 | 36 | 43 | 43 | 33 | 53 | 89 | 104 | 251 | 260 | 36 | 403 | 7 | 13 | 23 | 36 | 22 | 243 | 12 |
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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