
Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 3 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 8 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period, W swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 4 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s period, W swell with 516 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 8 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s 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 Wednesday (Jul 08) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 9s period. 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 1.8m 9s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 04) at 7PM. 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+) | 4PM (Wed 8th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 4PM (Wed 8th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Sat 4th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright, let’s break it down.
We got a slow start, real quiet, but there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. First week’s pretty rough – little swell, bad wind angles – but you hang in, the second week starts showing some muscle.
Starting with Back Strands – the only spot we got here, a reef break that’s fairly open to the west. Water’s sitting at 62°, which is much warmer than normal for July – about 5° above average, so you’re leaving the thick rubber at home.
Friday morning, July 3rd – we see a little 3-foot west swell, 10-second period. Combined energy is weak at 217. Winds are light cross-off from the south at 9 mph, keeping things clean. Surfable, but nothing to write home about. The afternoon turns windy and onshore, so it gets messy.
Saturday and Sunday, July 4th and 5th, the swell picks up to 5-6 feet, period drops to 9 seconds, but winds crank up to 15-22 mph cross-on or onshore – lumpy, choppy, poor. Not the day for it.
Monday through Thursday, July 6th to 9th, stay small and junky – waves from 2 to 4 feet, mostly west, short 8-9 second periods. Winds are cross-on or occasionally glassy. Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning are the cleanest, with glassy or offshore conditions, but the swell is tiny – just 2-3 feet. Combined energy is real weak, 74 to 122. Almost flat, really.
Then we hit a big lull from late Thursday, July 9th, through most of the following week – flat spells, poor wind, not much to get excited about. You’re better off checking the tide pools.
Here’s the one real highlight:
Saturday morning, July 18th – This one’s got some juice. A solid 7-foot groundswell from west-northwest, with a 9-second period. The combined energy jumps to a strong 692. Winds are light cross-off from the south at 9 mph, so it’ll be clean. That size – over 6 feet – is expert territory, not for beginners. The direction is a little off the preferred west, but close enough to work on a reef. That morning session is the one to target. The afternoon switches onshore, so don’t sleep in.
Also, Tuesday morning, July 14th, has a decent little window: 4-foot west swell, 9-second period, glassy with light south wind. Combined energy is weak at 209, but it’ll be smooth. Not a standout, but rideable.
The first 12-13 days are mostly a bust. The only quality window is that Saturday morning, July 18th. It’s a ways out, so call it promising but not locked in.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSE on Fri morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Sat afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Mon night, calm by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 3 | Saturday 4 | Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | |||||||||||||||
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 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
167 | 212 | 230 | 398 | 471 | 311 | 219 | 175 | 207 | 191 | 219 | 260 | 239 | 201 | 173 | 150 | 122 | 101 | 78 | 78 | 87 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | off | glassy | glassy |
High Tide | 9:00PM3.35m | 9:14AM2.78m | 9:35PM3.29m | 9:54AM2.71m | 10:12PM3.22m | 10:37AM2.66m | 10:53PM3.12m | 11:28AM2.61m | 11:42PM3.01m | 12:27PM2.59m | 00:41AM2.92m | 1:34PM2.63m | 1:52AM2.87m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:28PM0.51m | 3:10AM0.62m | 3:02PM0.58m | 3:47AM0.66m | 3:39PM0.68m | 4:27AM0.69m | 4:20PM0.80m | 5:13AM0.73m | 5:10PM0.93m | 6:06AM0.77m | 6:13PM1.03m | 7:10AM0.79m | 7:30PM1.04m | ||||||||
5:03 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | |
— | — | 10:10 | — | — | 10:09 | — | — | 10:09 | — | — | 10:08 | — | — | 10:07 | — | — | 10:07 | — | — | 10:07 | |
mm | 1 | 2 | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 19 | 18 | 22 | 24 | 20 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 19 | 19 | 23 | 25 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | — | — | W 9 | W 9 | — | — | W 8 | — | — | N 9 | W 8 | N 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 |
167 | 107 | 116 | — | — | 311 | 219 | — | — | 191 | — | — | 2 | 201 | 1 | 150 | 122 | 101 | 78 | 78 | 87 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | — | W 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
47 | — | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | — | — | W 9 | W 8 | — | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | — | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 212 | 230 | 398 | 471 | — | — | 175 | 207 | — | 219 | 260 | 239 | — | 173 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 80 | 53 | 427 | 727 | 27 | 27 | 267 | 53 | 53 | 267 | 267 | 135 | 283 | 36 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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.










