Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 13 Nov 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 27 Nov, 6AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 18s period, WNW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 27 Nov, 12PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, WNW swell with 6,201 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 16 Nov, 6AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s period with NW 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 Monday (Nov 16) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Back Strands in the next 16 days are 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Nov 27) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 5s period and expected on Monday (Nov 16) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Mon 16th Nov) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Fri 27th Nov) | 7ft (2.1m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Fri 27th Nov) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 10°C on Sat afternoon, min 4°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NNE on Sun morning, calm by Sun night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 33mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 10°C on Tue morning, min 4°C on Mon afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SE on Mon night, light winds from the NE by Thu morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 13 | Saturday 14 | Sunday 15 | Monday 16 | Tuesday 17 | Wednesday 18 | Thursday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 13 | NW 12 | W 13 | W 15 | W 14 | W 15 | W 16 | W 15 | W 14 | W 13 | W 12 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 9 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 216 | 522 | 163 | 53 | 83 | 23 | 1155 | 4556 | 2300 | 2023 | 2460 | 1099 | 456 | 336 | 181 |
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-on | cross-on | on | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 7:52PM2.72m | 8:14AM3.04m | 8:32PM2.52m | 9:00AM2.88m | 9:20PM2.34m | 9:53AM2.75m | 10:23PM2.21m | 10:56AM2.67m | 11:40PM2.19m | 12:03PM2.68m | 00:56AM2.29m | 1:05PM2.76m | 1:57AM2.49m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:43AM0.73m | 2:25PM0.88m | 2:20AM0.90m | 3:14PM1.07m | 3:05AM1.06m | 4:17PM1.20m | 4:02AM1.22m | 5:36PM1.22m | 5:20AM1.30m | 6:51PM1.11m | 6:42AM1.27m | 7:47PM0.91m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  |  | | |  | | |  | | | | | |  | |  | | |
 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:03 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — |
 | 4:37 | — | — | 4:35 | — | — | 4:32 | — | — | 4:31 | — | — | 4:30 | — | — | 4:29 | — | — | 4:27 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | 8 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 13 | — | 1 | 12 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 8 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
Feels °C | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | -4 | -1 | -2 | -4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 7 | NW 7 | WSW 5 | NW 8 | NW 9 | W 12 | W 11 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 13 | NW 12 | W 13 | W 15 | W 14 | W 15 | W 16 | W 15 | W 14 | W 13 | W 12 |
| kJ | 8 | 8 | 5 | 11 | 13 | 26 | 22 | 163 | 52 | 83 | 23 | 1155 | 4556 | 2300 | 2023 | 2460 | 1099 | 456 | 336 | 181 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 10 | NW 9 | NW 8 | W 12 | W 11 | WSW 5 | W 8 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | NW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | — |
| kJ | 9 | 3 | 9 | 3 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 36 | 53 | 31 | 6 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | 32 | 7 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 16 | W 14 | W 13 | W 8 | WSW 5 | NW 16 | — | NW 14 | NW 13 | — | W 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 5 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 10 | — | 49 | 44 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 3 | S 4 | SSW 4 | S 4 | NNW 9 | NNW 10 | — | — | SE 3 | SE 5 | SSW 4 | — | — | — | NE 4 | NNW 10 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 3 | 15 | 38 | 18 | 216 | 522 | — | — | 5 | 35 | 17 | — | — | — | 13 | 31 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 36 | 36 | 135 | 27 | 189 | 485 | 117 | 0 | 151 | 7 | 127 | 13 | 0 | 104 | 251 | 17 | 7 | 10 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Sligo | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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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