Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 11s period, W swell with 37 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright crew, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s cookin’ at Back Strands for the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, it’s a tough start. From Thursday the 16th right through to Wednesday the 23rd of July, it’s pretty much a write-off. We’re talkin’ ankle-snappers and dribble, with swell heights under 2 feet and onshore or cross-onshore breezes choppin’ up the surface. The combined energy is weak, just in the teens and thirties. Not much to get excited about.
Things start to look a little more interesting around Thursday the 24th of July. We’ll see the swell bump up to around 4 to 4 feet from the WNW, but the wind stays a moderate cross-onshore, so it’ll be lumpy and messy. The energy jumps into the 200s, so there’s some grunt, but it’s not gonna be clean.
The one window that’s got my attention, the real standout, is Monday the 27th of July afternoon. That’s the call. We’ve got a solid 5-foot swell from the WNW with a very long 12-second period, and the wind swings offshore from the NW at around 9 mph. The combined energy is a solid 589 – that’s proper groundswell power. For a reef break like this, that long period should mean some nice, lined-up waves. It’s a bit on the big side, so this is for the experienced crew; beginners might want to sit this one out.
Tuesday morning the 28th of July is a decent backup, with a 4-foot WNW swell, 10-second period, and light south winds keeping things clean.
Water temp is about 63°F, which is nearly 5°F warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s a big deal, so you’ll be comfortable in a spring suit.
Hang in there, and I’ll be out there on the 27th.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | W 9 | W 8 | NNW 6 | WNW 8 | NW 5 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | NW 7 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 8 | 13 | 12 | 21 | 23 | 12 | 18 | 28 | 16 | 16 | 21 | 35 | 35 | 31 | 30 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 6 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 8:14PM3.97m | 8:40AM3.22m | 8:59PM3.91m | 9:25AM3.10m | 9:43PM3.72m | 10:10AM2.95m | 10:28PM3.45m | 10:57AM2.80m | 11:14PM3.14m | 11:47AM2.65m | 00:05AM2.82m | 12:44PM2.54m | 1:06AM2.57m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:30AM0.00m | 2:27PM0.15m | 3:15AM0.12m | 3:10PM0.28m | 4:00AM0.30m | 3:55PM0.49m | 4:45AM0.52m | 4:43PM0.73m | 5:31AM0.76m | 5:37PM0.97m | 6:24AM0.96m | 6:44PM1.16m | ||||||||
 |  | | | |  | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — |
 | — | 9:59 | — | — | 9:58 | — | — | 9:57 | — | — | 9:55 | — | — | 9:53 | — | — | 9:52 | — | — | 9:51 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 20 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 21 | 19 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | W 8 | NW 6 | W 10 | W 10 | NNW 6 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 |
| kJ | 6 | 13 | 12 | 19 | 23 | 11 | 18 | 28 | 16 | 6 | 13 | 35 | 35 | 14 | 30 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 6 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | NW 11 | WNW 10 | W 8 | — | — | W 7 | W 9 | W 9 | W 12 | W 11 | — | — | W 10 | NW 6 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 8 | 5 | 10 | 6 | — | — | 4 | 7 | 6 | 11 | 21 | — | — | 31 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | W 7 | W 13 | — | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 12 | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 5 | NW 5 | NW 5 | — | — | NW 7 | — | NW 5 | NNW 6 | — | — | NW 3 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NW 2 | NW 6 |
| kJ | — | 1 | 9 | 21 | 10 | 12 | 10 | — | — | 16 | — | 13 | 20 | — | — | 4 | 11 | 6 | 1 | 6 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 243 | 276 | 313 | 2001 | 117 | 261 | 399 | 19 | 19 | 316 | 19 | 231 | 278 | 231 | 19 | 450 | 434 | 688 | 442 | 104 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Sligo | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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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