Back Strands surfForecast / Sligo / Ireland

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Thursday 19 Mar 2026 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
8.3° 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 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Mar 19) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 12s period. 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 6.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Mar 25) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Mar 24) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Thu 19th Mar)4.5ft (1.3m) 12s
Best Surf12AM (Sat 21st Mar)6ft (1.9m) 15s
Most Powerful 9AM (Wed 25th Mar)20ft (6.0m) 16s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 10°C on Mon afternoon, min 3°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Sun night, near gales from the W by Tue night).

Thursday
19
Friday
20
Saturday
21
Sunday
22
Monday
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
1
1
4
4
4
4
3
0
3
4
3
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.6
WNW
1.3
WNW
1
WNW
0.9
WNW
0.9
WNW
1.9
WNW
2.3
WNW
2.4
WNW
2.2
WNW
2
WNW
2.5
WNW
3
WNW
3
WNW
2.5
WNW
1.9
WNW
1.6
WNW
1.9
W
3.5
W
6
WNW
5.5
WNW
4
WNW
Period(s) (?)131212111315161615141314151413111012161614
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)7505192881942981674275127661993150522153456370027871193603800342617157134857302
Wind
(km/h)
15
E
5
SSE
10
SE
10
SSE
5
WSW
0
NE
5
SSE
5
SW
15
S
15
SW
25
N
10
NE
10
SE
15
S
25
S
35
SSW
50
WSW
55
W
55
WNW
50
WNW
35
NW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
glassoffoffcrossglassglassglasscross-
off
crosscross-
on
crossoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
onon
High Tide
/ height (m)
6:09PM
3.47
6:20AM
3.88
6:44PM
3.55
6:56AM
3.84
7:20PM
3.54
7:35AM
3.68
7:58PM
3.44
8:18AM
3.41
8:42PM
3.27
9:07AM
3.06
9:33PM
3.04
10:08AM
2.70
10:43PM
2.82
Low Tide
/ height (m)
11:58AM
-0.09
12:02AM
0.05
12:30PM
-0.15
12:38AM
0.01
1:05PM
-0.11
1:16AM
0.05
1:41PM
0.06
1:58AM
0.20
2:20PM
0.31
2:44AM
0.44
3:05PM
0.63
3:42AM
0.74
4:02PM
0.95
Thursday
19
Friday
20
Saturday
21
Sunday
22
Monday
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Sunrise6:39--6:37--6:35--6:31--6:30--6:26--6:24--
Sunset-6:44--6:45--6:47--6:50--6:52--6:53--6:55-
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
light rain
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
Rain (mm)
---------2-----3-2-1-
Temp. °C1114131113109121078661091097788
Feels °C (?)81211810871073211642-2-6-6-2-1
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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