Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 11 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 11 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 9s period, WNW swell with 110 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 0.8m 9s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 11) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-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+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Sat 11th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you: the next couple of weeks are looking pretty bleak for a paddle at Back Strands. There’s a proper lull on the cards, so don’t hold your breath for anything decent until the very end of the outlook.
The forecast opens with a stretch of flat, weak surf. From Saturday 11 July right through until around Sunday 19 July, the swell is tiny—mostly 0.7 ft to 1 ft from the WNW. The energy is pitiful, with readings bouncing between 6 and 37 (weak). Winds are mostly cross-off or onshore, but with those heights, it’s just not worth suiting up. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing special.
Then, around Monday 20 July, we finally see a bump in size. The swell lifts to 3 ft to 4 ft from the WNW, but the period is a short 7 seconds, and the wind is a messy cross-onshore at 25 km/h (16 mph). The energy climbs to moderate (137–154), but the wave comment calls it “poor surf conditions—moderate cross-onshore and choppy.” Not a winner.
The biggest push comes on Tuesday 21 July into Wednesday 22 July. Swell builds to 5 ft–5 ft from the WNW, with an 8–9 second period. The combined energy hits 270–415 (moderate to strong). But here’s the catch: winds are howling from the SW and W at 20–35 km/h (12–22 mph), creating lumpy, cross-onshore junk. That’s going to be a messy, blown-out affair. At 5 ft–5 ft, it’s pushing into the zone for intermediate surfers, but with those winds, only the hardcore or the kite crew will be having fun. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
After that, from Thursday 23 July onward, the swell drops fast. By Saturday 25 July, we’re back to 1.0 ft–1 ft with weak energy, and the last day (Sunday 26 July) shows a clean 0.7 ft wave with offshore light breeze, but it’s just too small.
So, honestly, there’s no standout session here. The best on offer is the Tuesday 21 July and Wednesday 22 July window, but only if you’re desperate or a wave-starved local. The wind is going to tear it up. The rest of the 16-day run is a write-off. Keep your board waxed for a better window.
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 SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 15°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 21 | WNW 7 | W 13 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 110 | 82 | 59 | 22 | 18 | 9 | 10 | 14 | 23 | 21 | 31 | 17 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 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 | 8:40AM3.22m | 8:59PM3.91m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 2:27PM0.15m | 3:15AM0.12m | |||||||
 | |  | |  | | | | | | |  |  | | |  | |  | | | | |
 | 5:11 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:18 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — |
 | — | — | 10:05 | — | — | 10:04 | — | — | 10:02 | — | — | 10:01 | — | — | 10:00 | — | — | 9:59 | — | — | 9:58 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 20 | 17 | 21 | 24 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 18 | 21 | 23 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 16 | 18 | 15 | 19 | 22 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 19 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 14 | 13 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 |
| kJ | 110 | 82 | 59 | 22 | 18 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 23 | 21 | 31 | 17 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | W 21 | W 14 | W 13 | W 7 | WNW 9 | W 18 | — | W 11 | — | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 4 | 14 | 4 | 15 | 6 | — | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 20 | WNW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNW 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 2 | E 2 | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | NW 3 | NNW 4 |
| kJ | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 21 | 178 | 12 | 32 | 33 | 424 | 292 | 117 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 33 | 77 | 117 | 117 | 117 | 117 | 269 | 313 | 881 | 926 |
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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