Back Strands surfForecast / Sligo / Ireland

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Tuesday 24 Mar 2026 IST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Back Strands surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Back Strands sea temperature is
8.8° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

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 Tuesday (Mar 31) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 12s 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 4.0m 19s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Mar 27) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Tue 31st Mar)7ft (2.1m) 12s
Best Surf10PM (Tue 31st Mar)7ft (2.1m) 12s
Most Powerful 3PM (Fri 27th Mar)13ft (4.0m) 19s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 26mm), heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 10°C on Thu afternoon, min 4°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the NW on Tue night, moderate winds from the SSW by Thu morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Very mild (max 10°C on Sun morning, min 6°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SW on Sun morning, moderate winds from the W by Mon morning).

Tue
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
29
Monday
30
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
3
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
3.5
W
3
WNW
4.5
WNW
4
WNW
3.5
WNW
2.3
WNW
1.8
W
1.9
W
2.3
WNW
4
WNW
4
WNW
4
WNW
4
WNW
2.5
WNW
2.5
W
3.5
W
4
WNW
3.5
WNW
3.5
WNW
3
WNW
2.5
WNW
Period(s) (?)151313131312121011191615151311131616151413
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)56213560710556873530151887974512081195886407610623622131412429068385512481930332155
Wind
(km/h)
40
W
60
NW
55
NW
50
NW
35
NW
20
SSW
25
SSW
20
WNW
25
WSW
40
W
45
W
45
WNW
35
WNW
30
SW
50
SW
40
W
35
W
25
W
30
W
30
W
20
WSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
ononononcross-
off
cross-
off
oncross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
ononcrosscrosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross
High Tide
/ height (m)
9:33PM
3.04
10:08AM
2.70
10:43PM
2.82
11:35AM
2.42
12:17AM
2.73
1:21PM
2.38
1:52AM
2.86
2:46PM
2.54
3:02AM
3.12
3:43PM
2.78
3:54AM
3.37
4:27PM
3.01
4:36AM
3.56
Low Tide
/ height (m)
3:05PM
0.63
3:42AM
0.74
4:02PM
0.95
5:06AM
1.00
5:29PM
1.18
7:04AM
1.05
7:20PM
1.18
8:36AM
0.84
8:40PM
0.98
9:34AM
0.58
9:34PM
0.73
10:17AM
0.35
10:17PM
0.51
10:53AM
0.18
Tue
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
29
Monday
30
Sunrise--6:24--6:22--6:20--6:16--6:15--6:11--6:09
Sunset6:53--6:55--6:57--6:59--7:00--7:02--7:05--
light rain
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
cloud
light rain
light rain
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
31022-12511421-51-----
Temp. °C866785101087778910109910119
Feels °C (?)-1-2-7-4-20451-3-2-4-1-20224455
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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