Back Strands Surf Break

Lat Long: 54.45° N 8.49° W

Back Strands Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 pm 13 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Back Strands sea temperature is
16.3° C
1.9° 

Back Strands surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Back Strands surf forecast from 13 Jul 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 14 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 11s period, W swell with 36 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 0.4m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful10AM (Tue 14th Jul)1.5ft (0.4m) 11s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Back Strands.

To be straight with you, the next week and a half is a write-off. We’re looking at a long, flat spell. From Monday the 13th of July right through to Monday the 20th of July, there’s barely a ripple. Swell heights are hanging around 0.6 ft to 1 ft, and the combined energy is in the single digits or low teens. That’s weak, weak stuff. The winds are mostly cross-off or onshore, but even on the glassy moments, there’s just no wave to ride. It’s a frustrating stretch of poor surf conditions, day after day.

Now, things start to wake up a little on Tuesday the 21st of July. The morning is where you’d want to be. Swell bumps up to 3 ft from the W, with a period of 8 seconds. The combined energy jumps to 105 (moderate), and we get a clean, cross-off wind out of the SW at 6 mph. It’s surfable, but it’s nothing special. The afternoon turns choppy, so get it early.

The standout, if we can call it that, comes on Wednesday the 22nd of July. The morning session sees swell reaching 3 ft from the W, period still around 8 seconds, and combined energy at 147 (solidly moderate). The wind is SSW at 15 mph, which is cross-off, keeping it clean. This is the best looking window in the whole outlook. But don't get too excited – the afternoon goes downhill fast with a fresh cross-on breeze and rain.

After that, it’s back to small, lumpy, and messy through the end of the month. There are a couple of moments on Sunday the 26th of July afternoon where it goes glassy, but the swell is only 0.9 ft. Not worth paddling out for.

The water is running at 61°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you won’t need the thickest wetsuit.

In short, if you’re desperate, the morning of Wednesday the 22nd is your best bet. Otherwise, save the gas.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed afternoon, min 15°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
WNW
7
0.2
W
13
0.3
W
12
0.4
W
11
0.4
W
10
0.3
W
10
0.2
W
9
0.2
W
9
0.2
W
10
0.2
W
9
0.2
W
9
0.3
W
9
0.2
WNW
10
0.2
WNW
10
0.4
WNW
8
0.2
WNW
8
0.2
WNW
7
0.2
WNW
7
0.3
W
9
0.2
W
12
0.3
W
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
10
14
23
36
31
16
6
6
7
6
6
13
11
9
24
6
5
5
14
12
21
Wind (km/h)
15
E
5
E
15
ENE
15
E
10
E
15
E
15
E
15
E
10
E
15
E
10
NNW
10
NE
5
NNW
15
NW
10
N
15
NNW
20
NW
10
NNW
5
WNW
15
WNW
5
NNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
on
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
5:48PM3.50m
6:16AM3.26m
6:39PM3.74m
7:07AM3.31m
7:27PM3.91m
7:54AM3.29m
8:14PM3.97m
8:40AM3.22m
8:59PM3.91m
9:25AM3.10m
9:43PM3.72m
10:10AM2.95m
10:28PM3.45m
Low Tide
11:23AM0.36m
00:01AM0.23m
12:13PM0.21m
00:53AM0.06m
12:59PM0.12m
1:43AM-0.02m
1:43PM0.09m
2:30AM0.00m
2:27PM0.15m
3:15AM0.12m
3:10PM0.28m
4:00AM0.30m
3:55PM0.49m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:15
5:16
5:16
5:18
5:20
5:20
5:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
10:02
10:01
10:00
9:59
9:58
9:57
9:55
 mm
Temp °C
21
23
18
21
24
20
23
25
22
25
26
23
20
20
17
17
18
16
16
16
15
Feels °C
19
22
16
19
22
17
21
23
21
23
24
22
17
16
14
13
13
13
14
13
14
  • 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 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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