Back Strands surfForecast / Sligo / Ireland

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 am Monday 15 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
9.8° 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 Thursday (Dec 18) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 5.5m and 20s 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 5.5m 21s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Dec 18) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-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 Wednesday (Dec 17) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Thu 18th Dec)18ft (5.5m) 20s
Best Surf12AM (Thu 18th Dec)18ft (5.5m) 20s
Most Powerful 3AM (Thu 18th Dec)18ft (5.5m) 21s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 11°C on Wed morning, min 5°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Mon afternoon, near gales from the S by Tue night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 38mm), heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 11°C on Fri night, min 6°C on Thu afternoon). Mainly strong winds.

Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
3
3
3
2
0
1
!
!
6
0
0
6
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.5
W
3
W
3
W
2.5
W
2.5
W
2.2
W
1.9
W
1.8
W
5.5
W
5
W
5
W
4.5
W
5
W
4.5
W
3
W
3
W
3
W
3
WNW
3
WNW
2.5
WNW
1.7
WNW
Period(s) (?)141515141414131320191918161614131313121212
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)2747409539343042248717441178102524432203161648113004131549782378128493082263427531776833
Wind
(km/h)
20
SSW
15
SSW
15
SW
15
SSW
20
SSW
35
SSE
35
S
25
SSW
25
SSW
30
SSE
20
W
40
WSW
40
SW
35
SSW
40
SSW
40
WSW
40
WSW
35
NW
35
NNW
35
NNW
10
NNE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
on
crosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
crosscrossononcross-
on
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
2:34PM
2.75
3:15AM
2.76
3:24PM
2.78
3:56AM
2.91
4:07PM
2.84
4:34AM
3.05
4:47PM
2.90
5:10AM
3.16
5:24PM
2.95
5:46AM
3.26
6:00PM
2.96
6:21AM
3.32
6:35PM
2.94
Low Tide
/ height (m)
8:54PM
0.81
9:16AM
0.97
9:34PM
0.74
10:00AM
0.84
10:11PM
0.65
10:39AM
0.71
10:47PM
0.58
11:16AM
0.62
11:22PM
0.51
11:53AM
0.56
11:56PM
0.46
12:29PM
0.54
12:29AM
0.45
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Sunrise8:48--8:48--8:49--8:51--8:52--8:52--8:52--
Sunset-4:07--4:07--4:07--4:08--4:08--4:08--4:09-
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
light rain
light rain
cloud
rain showers
cloud
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
heavy rain
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
Rain (mm)
---1-32-2-1032-152-61--
Temp. °C887778111089788911889998
Feels °C (?)34221-364212-1-114-2-21113
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder

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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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