Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 10 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 11 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s period, WNW swell with 163 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 11 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s period with WNW 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 Saturday (Jul 11) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 9s 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 0.9m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 2s period and expected on Monday (Jul 13) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1PM (Sat 11th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Sat 11th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Fri 10th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s cut the fluff. This forecast has a long dry spell before anything gets going.
Water temp is about 61°, which is a touch warmer than normal for July, but that won’t help the wait.
From the 10th right through the morning of the 18th, it’s flat or junk. Tiny swell, bad wind, every check says poor conditions. That’s over a week of nothing.
Finally, around midday on Saturday the 18th, a small bump to 3ft from the WNW with an 8-second period, but the wind is onshore from the NNW at 12 mph, making it choppy. Not a go.
The only real highlight hits on the 21st of July. Tuesday morning delivers the biggest swell: 6ft from the west with a solid 10-second period. Strong wave energy at 573. The water is still that touch warmer. But the wind is a fresh cross-onshore from the west at 19 mph, making it lumpy. Over 5ft, it’s for experts only. Back Strands is a reef, and that west swell will wrap in, but it’ll be a messy, lumpy affair. Crowds are possible, but only the hardcore will be out.
Tuesday afternoon drops to 5ft, still lumpy. Wednesday and Thursday ease to 3–4ft with improving but still average wind. Everything after that fades into small, clean but tiny surf.
Beginners, stay away on the 21st. Experts, that Tuesday morning is your only real chance at some power, but don’t expect glass. One day of action in a quiet two weeks.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Tue afternoon, min 16°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 11 | WNW 10 | W 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 21 | WNW 7 | W 13 | W 12 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 184 | 163 | 117 | 110 | 82 | 59 | 22 | 18 | 9 | 9 | 14 | 23 | 57 | 48 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross | cross | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:45PM2.75m | 3:06AM2.90m | 3:52PM2.96m | 4:17AM3.01m | 4:53PM3.22m | 5:20AM3.15m | 5:48PM3.50m | 6:16AM3.26m | 6:39PM3.74m | 7:07AM3.31m | 7:27PM3.91m | 7:54AM3.29m | 8:14PM3.97m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:50PM0.94m | 9:28AM0.66m | 10:02PM0.72m | 10:29AM0.52m | 11:05PM0.47m | 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 | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:11 | — | — | 5:11 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:18 | — | — |
 | — | — | 10:06 | — | — | 10:05 | — | — | 10:04 | — | — | 10:02 | — | — | 10:01 | — | — | 10:00 | — | — | 9:59 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 24 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 19 | 22 | 24 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 20 | 24 | 26 | 23 |
Feels °C | 17 | 19 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 19 | 23 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 17 | 21 | 22 | 19 | 22 | 24 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | WNW 10 | W 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 12 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 |
| kJ | 184 | 163 | 117 | 110 | 82 | 59 | 22 | 18 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 23 | 57 | 48 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | W 21 | W 14 | W 13 | W 7 | — | W 18 | — | W 11 | — | W 10 | — | W 9 | W 8 |
| kJ | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 4 | 14 | 4 | — | 6 | — | 2 | — | 2 | — | 2 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 20 | WNW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 19 | 10 | 17 | 19 | 159 | 7 | 32 | 46 | 424 | 292 | 46 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 32 | 32 | 77 | 117 | 117 | 117 | 117 |
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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