Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 31 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 7s period, W swell with 91 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 1.0m 7s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 2s period and expected on Friday (Aug 07) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 7s |
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 on offer for Back Strands over the next couple of weeks. To be straight with you, it's a lean stretch. We're looking at a real flat spell before anything worth paddling out for shows up.
Right now, through the end of July and into the first week of August, it's pretty grim. We've got a persistent cross-onshore wind, mainly from the west or north-west, with a weak, short-period swell. The combined energy is barely hitting 90, so it's all a bit weak and messy. The water temperature is 61°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year.
That poor run continues into the start of August. By Sunday the 2nd, the morning shows a brief glimmer with a clean, offshore breeze from the ESE, but the swell has dropped right off to 2ft. The wave energy is down to 45, so it’s not doing much.
From Monday the 3rd all the way through to Saturday the 8th, it's essentially a flat spell. Swell heights are barely a ripple, often below 1.0ft, with combined energy values in the single digits or low teens. There's a massive gap here with no surf to recommend. It’s just not happening.
Now, there is a little pulse on the horizon. On Sunday the 9th of August, the morning session finally offers something. We get a 4ft swell from the WNW, with a period of 7 seconds, bringing the combined energy up to 113, so it's moderate but still weak. The wind is glassy from the east—that's clean—but the report says the waves are just surfable with very ordinary conditions. It’s not a standout, but it’s the best we’ll see. The direction is a fit for Back Strands. It'll be small and a little weak, but glassy conditions could make for a fun little session on a reef break if you’re desperate and keep expectations low. After that, it fades right back to flat again, with glassy conditions returning but no real swell to speak of.
So, the only one worth a mention is the morning of Sunday the 9th of August. It’s not a classic, but it’s the only game in town. Get on it if you can.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | ||||||||||||||
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 7 | W 7 | W 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | WNW 6 | NW 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 11 | W 11 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 89 | 72 | 89 | 77 | 58 | 76 | 59 | 37 | 37 | 28 | 20 | 14 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 9 |
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 | off | on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 1:38AM0.40m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  | |  |  |  | | | |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 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 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 17 | 14 | 19 | 19 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 8 | N 8 | N 8 | W 10 | — | W 9 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | WNW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | W 10 | W 11 | W 11 |
| kJ | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | 6 | 37 | 37 | 28 | 20 | 14 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 9 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 11 | — | — | — | W 8 | W 8 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | W 10 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 6 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 6 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 10 | W 10 | N 10 | N 9 | — | NW 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 11 | N 9 | NW 6 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | W 7 | W 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 6 | WNW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 89 | 72 | 89 | 77 | 58 | 76 | 59 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 767 | 51 | 104 | 767 | 36 | 283 | 283 | 17 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 36 | 46 | 33 | 33 | 156 | 33 |
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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