Back Strands surfForecast / Sligo / Ireland

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Wednesday 08 Apr 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
9.0° 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 Wednesday (Apr 08) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 13s 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 6.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Apr 12) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 5s period and expected on Friday (Apr 10) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Wed 8th Apr)6ft (1.8m) 13s
Best Surf10AM (Wed 8th Apr)6ft (1.8m) 13s
Most Powerful 4AM (Sun 12th Apr)20ft (6.0m) 16s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Wed night. Very mild (max 11°C on Wed afternoon, min 4°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Tue night, near gales from the SSE by Fri afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 27mm), heaviest during Fri night. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Mon afternoon, min 4°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the W on Sat night, light winds from the W by Mon morning).

Wednesday
08
Thursday
09
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tue
14
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
2
2
0
0
3
2
1
2
1
1
0
0
0
3
2
0
0
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.2
W
1.8
WNW
1.4
WNW
1.8
W
2.5
W
4
W
3.5
W
3
WNW
2.3
WNW
2.5
W
3
WNW
3
WNW
6
W
5.5
W
3.5
W
2.3
W
1.7
WNW
1.5
WNW
1.2
WNW
0.9
WNW
0.8
WNW
Period(s) (?)1413121111151514141414131614131211101099
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)206111445897991771763255673110195627023323284416095122234690148071145028113396
Wind
(km/h)
10
WNW
10
SSW
15
SSW
25
SSW
40
W
45
W
20
WSW
40
SSE
55
SSE
30
SSW
40
SSW
45
S
50
W
35
W
35
W
20
SSW
20
S
25
WNW
15
NW
0
ENE
5
WNW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
crossoffoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
onglassglass
High Tide
/ height (m)
10:01AM
2.52
10:28PM
2.67
10:51AM
2.28
11:33PM
2.49
12:11PM
2.11
1:07AM
2.43
1:59PM
2.12
Low Tide
/ height (m)
3:51AM
0.95
3:54PM
1.03
4:39AM
1.20
4:42PM
1.24
5:59AM
1.40
6:04PM
1.39
8:02AM
1.38
7:58PM
1.37
Wednesday
08
Thursday
09
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tue
14
Sunrise-6:50--6:48--6:45--6:43--6:39--6:37--6:35-
Sunset--8:22--8:23--8:25--8:28--8:30--8:31--8:34
light rain
part cloud
cloud
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
cloud
light rain
heavy rain
rain showers
thunderstorm
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
Rain (mm)
1--722--3111221235----
Temp. °C99119777577777886698911
Feels °C (?)6564-3-3-1-6-5-2-2-3-4-1-1113379
  • 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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