Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 9s period, WNW swell with 464 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 1.7m 9s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’m gonna level with you – this 16-day window for Back Strands is a tough one. We’ve got a real dry spell on our hands, with almost nothing worth paddling out for. The first solid week is basically a write-off. From Saturday the 18th through Thursday the 24th, it’s all tiny, weak, and messy. Swell heights are hanging around 1ft to 2ft, with periods under 11 seconds and combined energy barely cracking 44 (weak). The wind is mostly cross-onshore or onshore, so the surface is chopped or lumpy. It’s a total no-go for a surfer.
Then, from Friday the 24th, the swell tries to pick up a bit, but the wind stays cruel. The Friday morning has a 4ft WNW swell at 10 seconds, with 282 energy (moderate), but it’s cross-onshore at 25 km/h. That afternoon jumps to 5ft at 8 seconds (324 energy), but it’s 30 km/h cross-onshore and lumpy. Too rough, too short period. The weekend of the 25th and 26th keeps the 5ft to 5ft range, but the wind is all cross-onshore, and the period is short (8–9 seconds). It’s not worth it.
The best we get is a brief window on Tuesday morning, the 28th of July. The wind goes glassy, with a 3ft WNW swell at 8 seconds and 140 energy (moderate). That’s the only time the conditions are called “glassy” and “surfable,” but even then, the waves are ordinary. It’s small, short period, and just barely rideable. Crowds are possible at Back Strands, but honestly, with this quality, you’ll have it to yourself. After that, it fades back into tiny, weak stuff until the end of the period.
So, the standout? There isn’t a true one. If you’re desperate, Tuesday morning the 28th of July is your only real shot, with a glassy 3ft WNW swell. It’s not a wave to write home about, but it’s the cleanest we’ll see. The water temp is a notable 64°F – that’s 5°F warmer than normal for this time of year, so it’s very unusual and feels like a summer treat, even if the waves don’t cooperate.
This is a classic blank run for the area. Forecasts can change, but right now, I’d save the wax for another week.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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 5 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | NW 6 | NW 6 | W 4 | WNW 10 | W 8 | WNW 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 13 | 33 | 36 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 35 | 35 | 31 | 30 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 19 | 9 | 12 | 282 | 324 | 433 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 9:43PM3.72m | 10:10AM2.95m | 10:28PM3.45m | 10:57AM2.80m | 11:14PM3.14m | 11:47AM2.65m | 00:05AM2.82m | 12:44PM2.54m | 1:06AM2.57m | 1:52PM2.49m | 2:18AM2.43m | 3:06PM2.53m | 3:33AM2.43m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:10PM0.28m | 4:00AM0.30m | 3:55PM0.49m | 4:45AM0.52m | 4:43PM0.73m | 5:31AM0.76m | 5:37PM0.97m | 6:24AM0.96m | 6:44PM1.16m | 7:27AM1.11m | 8:06PM1.25m | 8:38AM1.15m | 9:25PM1.21m | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  | | | |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:20 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:57 | — | — | 9:55 | — | — | 9:53 | — | — | 9:52 | — | — | 9:51 | — | — | 9:50 | — | — | 9:47 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 11 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | W 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | W 9 | NW 6 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | NW 6 | W 8 | NW 6 | W 8 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 12 | 1 | 36 | 23 | 6 | 10 | 35 | 35 | 31 | 30 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 5 | — | — | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 12 | W 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 | — | W 8 | W 12 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 5 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 11 | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | — | 5 | 3 | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 8 | W 13 | — | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 1 | 12 | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 5 | NW 7 | — | — | NW 7 | — | NW 6 | NW 3 | NNW 7 | NW 6 | NW 3 | NNW 4 | NW 6 | NW 4 | — | NW 6 | — | W 4 | WNW 10 | W 8 | WNW 9 |
| kJ | 13 | 33 | — | — | 22 | — | 9 | 5 | 18 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 11 | 9 | — | 19 | — | 12 | 282 | 324 | 433 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 292 | 399 | 48 | 19 | 104 | 19 | 231 | 178 | 117 | 292 | 521 | 231 | 231 | 422 | 231 | 231 | 406 | 36 | 292 | 1219 | 265 |
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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