Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 25 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 31 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 26 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 10s period, WNW swell with 935 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 28 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s period with W 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 Tuesday (Jul 28) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 9s. 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 2.2m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 26) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Tue 28th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Sun 26th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's take a look at what's brewin' for the next couple weeks.
First off, I gotta be straight with ya - it's a barren stretch to kick things off. There's nothin' worth paddlin' for until late in the first week, and even then it's a tough go.
Monday the 27th gives us the first real peek at Back Strands, with a 5ft west swell and a south cross-off wind cleanin' it up. The combined energy's moderate at 689 units. But it's only a marginal call - 1 out of 10. Water temp's about 62°F, a touch warmer than usual for this time of year.
And that Monday morning? That's about as good as it gets for the stretch. Swells stay small, winds shift cross and cross-on, and quality stays low. Friday the 31st morning gives us a 4ft west swell with clean conditions again from a south cross-off, but it's still just ordinary.
From the start of August through the 8th, it's a whole lot of nothin'. Small wind swell and bumpy conditions.
Then Saturday the 9th of August, we've got a spike - a 7ft west-northwest swell with big power - combined energy at 898 units - but it's onshore at 15 mph from the northwest. That one's a mess. Only for the hardcore or the kooks who don't care.
So what's the pick? Honestly, there's no real standout. If you're desperate, Monday the 27th morning is your cleanest option, but it's tiny. The rest is a bust. Sometimes the ocean just closes up shop. It won't stay this way forever, but these two weeks are a wash.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WNW on Sat night, light winds from the WSW by Tue morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 689 | 800 | 885 | 935 | 616 | 384 | 319 | 203 | 209 | 111 | 108 | 84 | 61 | 107 | 120 | 298 | 266 | 239 | 161 | 99 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:11PM2.65m | 4:34AM2.52m | 5:02PM2.83m | 5:21AM2.66m | 5:44PM3.03m | 6:01AM2.79m | 6:22PM3.22m | 6:36AM2.90m | 6:56PM3.38m | 7:10AM2.98m | 7:29PM3.51m | 7:43AM3.03m | 8:00PM3.57m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:27PM1.08m | 10:36AM0.96m | 11:14PM0.92m | 11:19AM0.79m | 11:55PM0.76m | 11:56AM0.63m | 00:32AM0.61m | 12:30PM0.48m | 1:06AM0.49m | 1:03PM0.38m | 1:38AM0.40m | 1:34PM0.32m | 2:10AM0.35m | |||||||
 |  | |  |  | | | |  | |  |  | |  |  | |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — |
 | — | 9:46 | — | — | 9:45 | — | — | 9:44 | — | — | 9:42 | — | — | 9:39 | — | — | 9:37 | — | — | 9:37 |
mm | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | 3 | 3 | 4 | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 5 |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 12 |
Feels °C | 12 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 16 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | — | — | — | — | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | NW 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | N 9 | — | — | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 |
| kJ | 689 | — | — | — | — | 384 | 319 | 203 | 3 | 111 | 108 | 84 | 61 | 2 | — | — | 266 | 239 | 161 | 99 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 10 | — | NW 9 | NW 9 | N 9 | N 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 11 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | 4 | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | — | — | SW 3 | W 9 | — | — | — | SSW 3 | W 7 | W 7 | W 8 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 800 | 885 | 935 | 616 | — | — | 2 | 209 | — | — | — | 1 | 107 | 120 | 298 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 265 | 210 | 422 | 727 | 265 | 10 | 27 | 10 | 53 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 15 | 127 | 313 | 564 | 27 | 0 | 27 | 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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