Back Strands surfForecast / Sligo / Ireland

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 am Friday 19 Dec 2025 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
9.7° C
(Which is slightly cooler than normal)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Back Strands this week:

The surf forecast for Back Strands over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Dec 20) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m 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 12 days are 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Dec 21) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Dec 21) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Sat 20th Dec)6ft (1.8m) 12s
Best Surf 6AM (Sun 21st Dec)11ft (3.5m) 16s
Most Powerful 6AM (Sun 21st Dec)11ft (3.5m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Fri morning, min 5°C on Sun morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SE on Sat morning, calm by Sat night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Mild temperatures (max 8°C on Wed afternoon, min 3°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds.

Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
4
3
1
1
4
5
4
4
3
2
0
4
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
5
W
4
W
2.5
W
1.7
W
1.6
W
2.5
W
3.5
W
3
W
2.4
WNW
1.7
W
1.4
W
0.9
W
1.9
W
2.3
W
2.1
W
1.7
W
1.4
W
1.1
W
0.8
W
0.8
W
1
W
Period(s) (?)161614121316161614131211161514131212111312
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)117918037229185582633535983446622529725551911750222817791018603341151212282
Wind
(km/h)
45
WSW
30
SW
30
SSE
40
SE
40
SE
10
ENE
10
SSE
15
ESE
10
ESE
15
SSE
20
SE
25
SE
5
SSW
15
E
20
ENE
15
E
15
E
15
E
15
ESE
15
SE
15
ESE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscrossoffoffoffcross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offoffglasscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offoffoff
High Tide
/ height (m)
5:24PM
2.95
5:46AM
3.26
6:00PM
2.96
6:21AM
3.32
6:35PM
2.94
6:57AM
3.35
7:10PM
2.89
7:33AM
3.35
7:46PM
2.82
8:10AM
3.32
8:26PM
2.73
8:49AM
3.26
9:10PM
2.65
Low Tide
/ height (m)
11:16AM
0.62
11:22PM
0.51
11:53AM
0.56
11:56PM
0.46
12:29PM
0.54
12:29AM
0.45
1:05PM
0.57
1:03AM
0.46
1:42PM
0.61
1:37AM
0.52
2:21PM
0.65
2:13AM
0.61
3:03PM
0.70
2:54AM
0.73
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Sunrise8:52--8:52--8:52--8:52--8:53--8:53--8:53--
Sunset-4:08--4:08--4:09--4:09--4:10--4:10--4:12-
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
mod rain
rain showers
cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
light rain
light rain
cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
2---487----32--------
Temp. °C999987677557776686333
Feels °C (?)-1210-14123100531241-1-1-2
  • 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 12 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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