
Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 23 Oct 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 26 Oct, 6AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 11s period, WNW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 25 Oct, 1AM (local time) - 21ft (6.5m), 15s period, W swell with 17,394 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 26 Oct, 6AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 11s period with WNW 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 Monday (Oct 26) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 11s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Back Strands in the next 16 days are 6.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Oct 25) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.3m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Oct 27) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Mon 26th Oct) | 7ft (2.2m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Mon 26th Oct) | 7ft (2.2m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sun 25th Oct) | 21ft (6.5m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 36mm), heaviest during Sat morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 7°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Thu night, severe gales from the W by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 34mm), heaviest during Mon morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 9°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the S on Sun night, gales from the SSW by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 23 | Saturday 24 | Sunday 25 | Monday 26 | Tuesday 27 | Wednesday 28 | Thursday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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 12 | WNW 13 | W 13 | WNW 13 | W 11 | W 15 | WNW 14 | W 13 | W 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 12 | W 12 | W 13 | W 13 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1569 | 2422 | 2254 | 1092 | 3748 | 17394 | 11714 | 7393 | 2568 | 843 | 407 | 246 | 5630 | 6353 | 4947 | 3392 | 1835 | 790 | 314 | 206 | 138 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | off | off | off | cross |
High Tide | 4:32AM2.81m | 4:36PM3.24m | 5:08AM3.07m | 5:13PM3.45m | 5:42AM3.31m | 5:50PM3.59m | 6:17AM3.49m | 6:28PM3.66m | 6:54AM3.60m | 7:09PM3.63m | 7:33AM3.63m | 7:52PM3.49m | 8:15AM3.57m | 8:39PM3.26m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:25AM0.76m | 10:56PM0.35m | 11:02AM0.53m | 11:29PM0.13m | 11:38AM0.32m | 00:02AM-0.02m | 12:15PM0.16m | 00:37AM-0.07m | 12:55PM0.07m | 1:14AM-0.03m | 1:36PM0.07m | 1:53AM0.11m | 2:22PM0.18m | 2:35AM0.32m | |||||||
8:15 | — | — | 8:18 | — | — | 7:19 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:26 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | |
— | 6:17 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | |
mm | 2 | — | 1 | 12 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 12 |
Temp °C | 10 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | -1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | -4 | -6 | -3 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 9 | -2 | -2 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 13 | WNW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 12 | — | — | — | — | W 12 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 |
— | — | 2254 | 1092 | — | — | — | — | — | 843 | 407 | 246 | — | — | — | — | 1835 | 790 | 314 | 206 | 138 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 11 | NNW 11 | NW 11 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 12 | 4 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 12 | WNW 13 | — | S 5 | W 11 | W 15 | WNW 14 | W 13 | W 12 | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | SSW 6 | W 12 | W 13 | W 13 | W 12 | — | — | S 3 | SSE 4 | SSE 5 |
1569 | 2422 | — | 112 | 3748 | 17394 | 11714 | 7393 | 2568 | 19 | 29 | 310 | 5630 | 6353 | 4947 | 3392 | — | — | 5 | 13 | 66 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 204 | 452 | 22 | 419 | 1211 | 1212 | 727 | 716 | 268 | 132 | 80 | 486 | 1235 | 830 | 716 | 737 | 260 | 0 | 0 | 501 | 53 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Sligo | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Ireland | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
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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.










