Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 10 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 10 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 12s period, W swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 10s period, W swell with 200 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 10 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 12s 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 Friday (Jul 10) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 8s. 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 1.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) 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+) | 4AM (Fri 10th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Fri 10th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Fri 10th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
Alright crew, Rusty here with the lowdown on Back Strands.
To be straight with you, the first week is a total bust. It’s a long, flat spell. The first whisper of a wave is Thursday afternoon, July 9th, with a tiny 3ft W swell. The water is running about 4° warmer than normal, which is wild, but the conditions are just "ordinary" – not worth getting wet for.
From there, it’s a desert. The wind is trash – cross-on, onshore, gusty – and the swell vanishes. The 10th through the 17th are a total loss. You’ll see a clean little 2-3ft wave on Saturday morning, July 18th, but it’s weak and short-lived.
The second week gets a pulse, but it’s all onshore junk. By Monday, July 20th, we’ve got a 5-6ft WNW swell with some energy, but the wind is straight onshore, making it a washing machine. The 23rd throws a big 5-6ft W swell with a long 13-second period and a ton of energy, but it’s getting smashed by 35 km/h wind. That’s a kite surfer’s day, not a paddle surfer’s.
The one standout, and the only session I’d be planning for, is Friday morning, July 24th. The swell is a solid 4-5ft from the W, with a nice 10-second period and good energy. The wind goes offshore from the SSE, cleaning it right up. It’s a reef break, it’s fairly consistent, and the swell direction is perfect. It’ll be glassy and lined up. Just know that crowds are sometimes a thing here, so get there early.
The afternoon of the 24th gets a strong cross-offshore wind, so that morning window is the one.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 25°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 Sun 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 | W 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 21 | WNW 7 | W 13 | W 12 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 184 | 200 | 163 | 110 | 90 | 59 | 22 | 18 | 9 | 10 | 14 | 23 | 55 | 48 | 28 | 14 | 14 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 6 |
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-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 | cross-off | cross-off | cross |
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 | 8:20AM0.76m | 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 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 22 | 19 | 22 | 25 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 19 | 22 | 24 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 23 | 25 | 22 |
Feels °C | 16 | 18 | 14 | 19 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 24 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 24 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | W 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 12 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 8 |
| kJ | 184 | 200 | 163 | 110 | 90 | 59 | 22 | 18 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 23 | 55 | 48 | 28 | 14 | 14 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 21 | W 14 | W 13 | W 7 | — | W 18 | — | — | — | W 10 | NW 9 | WNW 8 | W 8 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 4 | 14 | 4 | — | 6 | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | 7 | 5 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 20 | WNW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | — | — | W 10 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 19 | 19 | 243 | 21 | 17 | 178 | 12 | 32 | 77 | 422 | 292 | 117 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 32 | 32 | 271 | 117 | 272 | 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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