Back Strands surfForecast / Sligo / Ireland

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Monday 23 Feb 2026 IST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Back Strands surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Back Strands sea temperature is
7.8° C
(Which is 1.3°C colder than average for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Back Strands this week:

The surf forecast for Back Strands over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Feb 25) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 19s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Back Strands in the next 12 days are 4.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Mar 02) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Feb 28) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Wed 25th Feb)3.5ft (1.1m) 12s
Best Surf 9AM (Wed 25th Feb)5ft (1.6m) 16s
Most Powerful 6AM (Mon 2nd Mar)15ft (4.5m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 12 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 12°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Mon afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Wed morning, strong winds from the SSW by Thu morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 38mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 12°C on Sun morning, min 5°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, strong winds from the SW by Sat afternoon).

Mon
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
01
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
0
0
2
4
3
2
0
0
2
1
0
1
2
3
0
2
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
3
W
2
W
1.5
W
1.5
W
1.1
W
1.6
W
1.7
W
1.2
W
0.8
W
1.7
WSW
1.4
W
1.7
W
1.7
W
2
W
1.8
W
2.2
W
2.1
W
2.2
W
1.8
W
1.7
W
4
WNW
Period(s) (?)141312121216161513121111111214141312121213
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)3944134962566036813671506644225920449707733119412971849142314869118465152
Wind
(km/h)
10
SSE
25
S
30
S
35
S
15
SSE
15
S
10
SW
20
S
45
SSW
30
WSW
10
SSW
20
WSW
30
WNW
30
WSW
30
SSW
20
SSW
45
SW
30
S
35
SSW
40
S
25
N
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
offcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
crosscross-
on
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
9:50PM
2.91
10:15AM
2.88
10:53PM
2.72
11:32AM
2.59
12:22AM
2.62
1:16PM
2.47
2:01AM
2.74
2:50PM
2.59
3:18AM
3.03
3:55PM
2.81
4:13AM
3.36
4:44PM
3.04
4:58AM
3.64
Low Tide
/ height (m)
3:28PM
0.57
3:48AM
0.75
4:23PM
0.86
5:00AM
1.01
5:42PM
1.09
6:50AM
1.11
7:28PM
1.13
8:35AM
0.95
8:52PM
0.94
9:44AM
0.65
9:50PM
0.68
10:34AM
0.37
10:35PM
0.43
11:15AM
0.15
Mon
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
01
Sunrise--7:35--7:33--7:31--7:28--7:26--7:24--7:20
Sunset5:57--5:59--6:00--6:02--6:05--6:07--6:08--
light rain
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
mod rain
mod rain
heavy rain
light rain
light rain
heavy rain
light rain
Rain (mm)
4---11224---1-671952115
Temp. °C101111111112121110118887911111212118
Feels °C (?)77446101073432102225522
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder

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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 12 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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