Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 10s period, WNW swell with 107 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 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 1PM. 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+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let me look at what we’ve got coming down the line. Honestly, I’ve got to be straight with you – this 16-day window is a bit of a tough one. There’s a lot of time where the ocean just doesn’t want to cooperate. The first real stretch of surfable energy doesn’t show up until July 24th, so we’re looking at a solid week of waiting. Before that, it’s all tiny, weak, messy waves with cross-onshore winds ruining any chance of a decent ride. Kites might have some fun, but for a paddle surfer, it’s a no-go.
Let’s talk about the spot on offer. The only break in the mix is Back Strands, a reef setup. It’s fairly consistent, but when the swell is small, it’s just not doing much. The optimum swell direction is W, and we do get some of that, but mostly from the NW and WNW, which puts it in a cross-on position.
Now, the standout period, and I mean the only real shot at something, is July 24th and 25th. On the 24th, Friday morning, we finally see some energy. The swell jumps to 6 ft from the WNW, with a period of 10 seconds. The combined energy hits 529 (moderate wave energy), which is a proper step up. But here’s the catch – the wind is a fresh cross-onshore at 22 mph, making it lumpy. The surf quality is still rated poor. This is more of a challenge than a treat. It’s a bit big for beginners, but for the experienced crew, there’s some grunt to play with.
The morning of the 25th, Saturday, is a bit cleaner. The wind shifts to onshore but lightens up to 9 mph from the WNW, with the swell still hanging around 6 ft from the WNW and a period of 10 seconds. The energy is strong at 581. This is the best on offer, but with the wind onshore and the swell size, it’s still not the clean, glassy perfection we dream about. The period is moderate, so the waves will have some shape, but it’s not a classic groundswell.
After the 25th, the swell drops off again, and the wind stays messy or cross-onshore, so those few days around the 24th and 25th are your only real window. It’s a short blast, and it’s not for the faint of heart. For the rest of the period, I’d be finding something else to do.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | NNW 6 | WNW 8 | 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 | WNW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 12 | 21 | 23 | 19 | 51 | 28 | 16 | 16 | 21 | 35 | 35 | 31 | 30 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 14 |
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 | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 8:59PM3.91m | 9:25AM3.10m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:27PM0.15m | 3:15AM0.12m | 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 | ||||||||
 | |  | | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | |  | | |
 | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:58 | — | — | 9:57 | — | — | 9:55 | — | — | 9:53 | — | — | 9:52 | — | — | 9:51 | — | — | 9:50 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 13 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | W 8 | NW 6 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | NW 6 | NW 6 |
| kJ | 12 | 19 | 23 | 12 | 4 | 28 | 16 | 6 | 10 | 35 | 35 | 31 | 30 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | W 8 | — | — | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 12 | W 11 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 6 | — | — | — | — | W 8 | W 8 |
| kJ | 10 | 6 | — | — | 2 | 7 | 6 | 11 | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 5 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | W 7 | W 13 | — | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 14 | WNW 12 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 12 | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 14 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 5 | NW 5 | NW 7 | — | — | NW 7 | — | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 3 | NW 3 | NW 6 | NW 3 | NW 6 | NW 6 | — | — |
| kJ | 10 | 21 | 10 | 19 | 51 | — | — | 16 | — | 9 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 5 | 12 | 5 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 313 | 1272 | 178 | 261 | 399 | 19 | 19 | 316 | 19 | 231 | 178 | 117 | 19 | 104 | 19 | 19 | 458 | 231 | 114 | 81 | 36 |
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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