Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 30 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 30 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period, WNW swell with 105 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Back Strands this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Back Strands in the next 16 days are 0.9m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 30) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.
Well, I’m not gonna lie to you, it’s a grim start. We’re looking at a solid two-week stretch of nothing but flat, choppy, or just plain messy conditions. From Thursday the 30th of July all the way through to Monday the 10th of August, the surf is tiny and the wind is all over the shop. There’s no point even getting the board wet. The swell is weak, barely scraping 3 ft, and the period is short – under 8 seconds most of the time – so you’re just getting lumpy, weak waves. The wind is mostly cross-onshore, keeping everything choppy and uninviting.
The only glimmer of hope comes right at the tail end of the forecast. Tuesday the 11th of August finally shows a pulse of life. Back Strands is the only spot in the game here, and it’s a shallow reef setup that needs a specific west swell. On Tuesday morning, we’ve got a glassy 3 ft swell from the west with a weak combined energy of 72. It’s not a huge wave, but that glassy wind is a major positive. The water temperature is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.
Wednesday the 12th of August morning is a real standout. The swell picks up to a clean 4 ft from the west, with a period of 8 seconds. The combined energy jumps to a moderate 159 (moderate wave energy), and the wind is a light cross-offshore from the south-southeast. That’s clean, workable surf. It’s not freakishly big, but it’s got a bit of push and shape. The break is fairly consistent, so you won’t be waiting forever. Crowds are possible, but with it being a reef, it’ll handle a few people. Thursday the 13th of August morning also looks good with a similar 4 ft, clean swell and a combined energy of 241 (moderate wave energy), but it’s a touch less clean than Wednesday.
Friday the 14th of August morning shows a building 4 ft swell from the west with a period of 10 seconds and a strong combined energy of 358 (strong wave energy), but the wind is directly onshore, so it’s going to be a messy, blown-out affair. That one’s for the experts only, if anyone.
Honestly, if you’re after a paddle, the morning of Wednesday the 12th of August is your best bet. Get in early for a clean, head-high-ish wave. It’s not a classic, but it’s the best we’ve got.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed night, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 8 | WNW 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | W 10 | W 10 | W 11 | W 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 105 | 91 | 70 | 91 | 72 | 41 | 39 | 43 | 41 | 40 | 41 | 22 | 14 | 7 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 |
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-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:10AM2.98m | 7:29PM3.51m | 7:43AM3.03m | 8:00PM3.57m | 8:15AM3.05m | 8:32PM3.56m | 8:49AM3.03m | 9:04PM3.50m | 9:25AM2.98m | 9:38PM3.38m | 10:04AM2.91m | 10:18PM3.21m | 10:49AM2.80m | 11:06PM3.01m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:03PM0.38m | 1:38AM0.40m | 1:34PM0.32m | 2:10AM0.35m | 2:05PM0.33m | 2:42AM0.35m | 2:38PM0.38m | 3:15AM0.38m | 3:13PM0.48m | 3:50AM0.46m | 3:52PM0.63m | 4:31AM0.58m | 4:39PM0.80m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | |  |  | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 5:39 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:37 | — | — | 9:37 | — | — | 9:35 | — | — | 9:32 | — | — | 9:30 | — | — | 9:29 | — | — | 9:27 |
mm | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NW 8 | N 8 | N 8 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | W 10 | W 11 | NNW 6 |
| kJ | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 41 | 40 | 41 | 22 | 14 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 9 | 4 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | W 11 | N 8 | — | W 8 | W 9 | W 8 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | NW 9 | NNW 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 | W 10 | NW 6 | NW 7 | W 10 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 6 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 8 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 10 | W 10 | — | — | N 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | NW 7 | — | W 9 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | WNW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 6 | — |
| kJ | 105 | 91 | 70 | 91 | 72 | 41 | 39 | 43 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 512 | 556 | 51 | 27 | 527 | 36 | 267 | 283 | 22 | 7 | 19 | 7 | 7 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 7 | 77 | 77 | 456 | 77 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Sligo | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Ireland | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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