Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 4 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 8 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s period, W swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 4 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s period, W swell with 505 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 8 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s period with W 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 Wednesday (Jul 08) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m 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 1.8m 9s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 04) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Wed 8th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Wed 8th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Sat 4th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Hey folks, Rusty here. Let’s cut to it—this 16-day look at Back Strands is a rough one. Most of it’s not worth paddling out. Expect a long stretch of poor-to-ordinary surf, with only a couple of brief windows where things clean up. There’s a big gap from about Friday 10th July through nearly a week, then a small chance at the end.
Right now, Saturday 4th July: west swell 5–6ft with a 9-second period, but the wind’s ripping 30–35 km/h from the WSW—cross and cross-on. Total energy is moderate (399 in the AM, 505 PM), but it’s lumpy, messy, poor surf.
Sunday 5th July: still west swell around 4–4ft, wind 20–30 km/h cross/cross-on. No improvement.
Monday 6th July: smaller west swell 3–4ft, period dropping to 8 seconds, energy down to 161 and 133. Wind cross-shore and cross-on, still poor.
Tuesday 7th July: 4ft west swell, 8–9 seconds, energy around 210 and 186. Wind moderate cross-shore, cross-on. Still nothing.
Wednesday 8th July – first bright spot. West swell drops to 3ft, still 9-second period, but wind goes light—5 km/h from the SSW in the morning (clean, cross-off), then glassy calm by afternoon. Energy is low (130–136) but the conditions are pristine. If you need a wave, this is the day—small but clean.
Thursday 9th July: carries the clean run—3ft west swell, glassy morning with a light SE breeze, clean afternoon. Energy 101–103. Tiny, but surfable.
Friday 10th July: morning glassy but waves drop to 2ft, energy only 50—barely a ripple. Afternoon sees WNW swell 1ft, wind switching onshore. That’s the first week done.
Then a long dry stretch from Saturday 11th July to Saturday 18th July. Swell stays tiny (1–3ft), winds mostly cross-on or onshore, often fresh. Energy mostly under 100, sometimes as low as 22–73. The only blip is Tuesday 14th July morning (4ft west swell, 9 seconds, energy 270, light cross-on) but it’s only marginal.
Finally, on Sunday 19th July—the last day—some west-northwest swell at 4ft, short 5-second period, light cross-off breeze from the ENE, energy 84. It’s described as “surfable but very ordinary.” Not a standout, but the only other window. Expect weak, short-period waves but clean conditions.
Best bets: Wednesday 8th and Thursday 9th July. Small, glassy west swell in the 3–3ft range. Everything else is blown out or flat. Water temp is about average for the time of year.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Thu afternoon, min 15°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 4 | Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 399 | 505 | 351 | 215 | 245 | 217 | 161 | 133 | 161 | 210 | 186 | 153 | 130 | 136 | 106 | 101 | 103 | 97 | 50 | 40 | 160 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | glassy | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 9:14AM2.78m | 9:35PM3.29m | 9:54AM2.71m | 10:12PM3.22m | 10:37AM2.66m | 10:53PM3.12m | 11:28AM2.61m | 11:42PM3.01m | 12:27PM2.59m | 00:41AM2.92m | 1:34PM2.63m | 1:52AM2.87m | 2:45PM2.75m | 3:06AM2.90m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:02PM0.58m | 3:47AM0.66m | 3:39PM0.68m | 4:27AM0.69m | 4:20PM0.80m | 5:13AM0.73m | 5:10PM0.93m | 6:06AM0.77m | 6:13PM1.03m | 7:10AM0.79m | 7:30PM1.04m | 8:20AM0.76m | 8:50PM0.94m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | | |  | |  | | | | | | | |  |  | |
 | 5:05 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:11 | — | — |
 | — | — | 10:09 | — | — | 10:09 | — | — | 10:08 | — | — | 10:07 | — | — | 10:07 | — | — | 10:07 | — | — | 10:06 |
mm | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 13 |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 23 | 25 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 16 |
Feels °C | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 23 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 9 | — | — | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 10 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 215 | — | — | 161 | 133 | 161 | 210 | 186 | 153 | 130 | 136 | 106 | 101 | 103 | 97 | 50 | 33 | 160 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 11 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 40 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | — | W 9 | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 399 | 505 | 351 | — | 245 | 217 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 427 | 727 | 27 | 53 | 267 | 27 | 27 | 267 | 53 | 27 | 281 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 86 | 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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