
Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 1 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period, WNW swell with 229 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 1.3m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Friday (Aug 07) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s in store for us over the next couple of weeks.
To be straight with you, this is a grim run. The entire 16-day window is a total write-off for any kind of decent surf. There’s not a single window where the wave quality comes together, and the finder has no recommendations to offer. We’re looking at a long, blank stretch right through.
The one spot we’ve got data for is Back Strands, a reef setup that’s fairly consistent and fairly exposed. It likes swell from the west, which is the direction most of the energy comes from. But the problem is the swell is small, weak, and often messy. The water temperature sits at 61°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so the water’s a bit more comfortable, but that’s about the only comfort.
The first few days, from Saturday the 1st through to Wednesday the 5th, the swell is tiny—under 3 feet at best—with poor wave energy (70 down to 7). The wind is mostly cross-on or onshore, adding chop. The wave energy is weak (70) and the period is short, so the waves are just sloppy. There’s no surfable wave energy here.
From Thursday the 6th to the 10th, the swell tries to pick up, hitting 4 feet on the 8th and 9th, with moderate energy (around 228 to 249), but the wind is cross-on or onshore from the west or northwest, making it choppy and messy. The period is still short (8 seconds), so it’s not forming well.
By the 10th, we get a brief moment of glassy conditions, but the swell is tiny (2 feet) and weak (energy 59). The 11th and 12th have a few clean windows with offshore or glassy wind, but the swell is basically flat (0.7 feet to 1 foot). There’s just nothing to ride.
The second week, from the 13th to the 16th, the swell gets a bit more energy, with the 15th showing 4 feet and an energy of 268, but the wind is a fresh to strong cross-on or onshore, with rain showers. The period is 10 seconds, so it’s not a clean groundswell. It’s lumpy, choppy, and not worth paddling out for.
Overall, this is a classic blank run for the area. It’s not unusual to see a long stretch of nothing, and few breaks here are consistent enough to rely on when the conditions are this poor. The forecasts can change, but right now, there’s no reason to get excited. If you’re a kite surfer, the wind is strong enough on the 14th and 15th to make things interesting, but for paddle surfing, it’s a no-go.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | |||||||||||||||
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 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 9 | NW 9 | W 11 | W 10 | NNW 7 | NW 6 | NW 5 | WNW 6 | W 5 | W 5 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
64 | 62 | 41 | 51 | 31 | 20 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 15 | 36 | 47 | 13 | 11 | 68 | 169 | 190 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 11:45AM2.69m | 00:08AM2.80m | 12:58PM2.63m | 1:30AM2.67m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 5:21AM0.75m | 5:39PM0.97m | 6:27AM0.90m | 7:03PM1.08m | ||||||||
5:43 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:35 | — | — | 9:32 | — | — | 9:30 | — | — | 9:29 | — | — | 9:27 | — | — | 9:24 | — | — | 9:22 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | 12 | 2 | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 9 |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 9 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NW 6 | N 9 | NW 7 | NNW 7 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | NNW 6 | W 5 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 9 |
6 | 6 | 41 | 51 | 31 | 20 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 68 | 169 | 190 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 8 | W 8 | W 10 | W 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 6 | W 10 | W 10 | — | — | — | W 10 | W 9 | — | — | — |
— | — | 5 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 7 | 7 | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 11 | W 10 | — | — | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 11 | N 8 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 10 | — | — | — |
— | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 6 | NW 5 | WNW 6 | W 5 | SW 2 | W 5 | — | — |
64 | 62 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | 36 | 47 | 13 | 1 | 18 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 267 | 283 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 43 | 33 | 77 | 320 | 77 | 2238 | 400 | 452 | 53 | 37 | 12 | 145 | 27 |
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.











