
Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 22 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 10s period, W swell with 600 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 1.8m 10s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, gather 'round. Rusty here, with a look at the local surf. We're looking at a pretty grim stretch ahead, to be honest. The next week and a half is mostly a write-off, so don't be in a rush. We’ve got a solid 10-day gap with almost nothing worth paddling out for. The real story comes later, and it's a big one.
First up, the only break on the cards is Back Strands. It's a reef setup, fairly exposed to the west, which is the direction we need the swell to come from. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing weird.
Okay, let's get into it. From Wednesday the 22nd right through to Sunday the 27th, the surf is just poor. Tiny, weak swell with combined energy in the teens and low hundreds (34, 30, 11, 18) and a messy cross-onshore wind. It's choppy, it's ugly, and it's not worth your time. The swell picks up a bit on the 24th and 25th, with energy climbing into the hundreds (162, 167, 453, 550), but the wind is still a problem. By Sunday the 26th, the wind is a fresh breeze, making it lumpy. Not a good look.
There's a glimmer on Monday the 27th, with a 5ft to 6ft W swell at 10 seconds, and a clean cross-offshore wind. The energy is strong (423, 587), but the forecast still calls it marginal. It's a maybe, but don't get your hopes up. That's the only half-decent day in the first 10 days.
Then it goes flat again. The 28th through the 31st of July is all poor surf, with cross-onshore winds and energy dropping back down. The 30th has a clean, light offshore wind, but the swell is a pathetic 2ft. Not worth it.
Now, here's the standout, and it's a long way off. On Saturday, the 1st of August, we’ve got a proper pulse. The swell is 11ft to 13ft from the W and WNW, with a solid 11-second period. The combined energy is massive – 3249 and 3663. This is a serious, powerful swell. The wind is onshore and cross-onshore, which is a shame, but for a big, powerful west swell, it's going to be a sight. This is for experts only. The swell is over 8ft, so it's a heavy, powerful wave. The period is 11 seconds, which is good, but it's a long period, so it'll be a bit more challenging at a beach break, but on a reef like Back Strands, it could be an absolute beast. The crowds are 'sometimes' there, so you might have some company. This is the one to circle on the calendar, but as always, with a forecast this far out, treat it as a promising possibility, not a guarantee.
After that, it drops back down. The 2nd of August has a 6ft swell, but it's onshore and messy. Then it's back to flat, tiny waves and glassy conditions by the 4th, but with no energy.
So, the game plan is simple: save your energy for the 1st of August. Everything else is a no-go. The wait will be worth it, but it's a long one.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sun night. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NW 6 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NW 6 | W 8 | W 11 | W 9 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | WNW 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
19 | 16 | 14 | 6 | 12 | 58 | 162 | 167 | 127 | 453 | 550 | 348 | 415 | 400 | 339 | 423 | 587 | 552 | 529 | 450 | 248 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 12:44PM2.54m | 1:06AM2.57m | 1:52PM2.49m | 2:18AM2.43m | 3:06PM2.53m | 3:33AM2.43m | 4:11PM2.65m | 4:34AM2.52m | 5:02PM2.83m | 5:21AM2.66m | 5:44PM3.03m | 6:01AM2.79m | 6:22PM3.22m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:24AM0.96m | 6:44PM1.16m | 7:27AM1.11m | 8:06PM1.25m | 8:38AM1.15m | 9:25PM1.21m | 9:43AM1.09m | 10:27PM1.08m | 10:36AM0.96m | 11:14PM0.92m | 11:19AM0.79m | 11:55PM0.76m | 11:56AM0.63m | 00:32AM0.61m | |||||||
5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:51 | — | — | 9:50 | — | — | 9:47 | — | — | 9:46 | — | — | 9:45 | — | — | 9:44 | — | — | 9:42 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 12 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 12 | 11 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | NW 6 | NW 6 | W 8 | W 11 | — | — | W 8 | — | — | — | — | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 10 | — | — | W 10 | — | WNW 9 |
15 | 14 | 14 | 6 | 12 | 58 | — | — | 127 | — | — | — | — | 400 | 339 | 423 | — | — | 529 | — | 248 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 9 | W 8 | NW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 6 | 5 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 6 | NW 7 | — | — | — | NW 6 | W 9 | WNW 8 | — | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | — | — | — | W 10 | W 10 | — | W 9 | — |
19 | 16 | — | — | — | 9 | 162 | 167 | — | 453 | 550 | 348 | 415 | — | — | — | 587 | 552 | — | 450 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 104 | 1013 | 127 | 127 | 510 | 53 | 292 | 1230 | 53 | 268 | 265 | 512 | 727 | 727 | 22 | 53 | 12 | 145 | 145 | 203 | 127 |
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.










