Surf Break

Lat Long: 54.45° N 8.49° W

Back Strands Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 pm 22 Oct 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Back Strands sea temperature is
13.6°C
1.4° 

Back Strands surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Back Strands surf forecast from 22 Oct 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 26 Oct, 3AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 12s period, WNW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 25 Oct, 1AM (local time) - 21ft (6.5m), 15s period, W swell with 19,104 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 22 Oct, 7PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s 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 Thursday (Oct 22) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 11s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-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 1.4m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Oct 24) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Thu 22nd Oct)4.5ft (1.4m) 11s
Best Surf 3AM (Mon 26th Oct)8ft (2.5m) 12s
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 Forecast

Heavy rain (total 28mm), heaviest during Sat morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat morning, min 8°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ENE on Thu night, gales from the W by Sat night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Mon morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSE on Sun night, gales from the SW by Tue morning).

Thursday
22
Friday
23
Saturday
24
Sunday
25
Monday
26
Tuesday
27
Wednesday
28
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
WNW
12
1.4
WNW
11
1.4
W
11
2.5
WNW
12
3
WNW
12
2.5
W
14
1.7
WNW
13
3
W
11
6.5
W
15
5.5
WNW
14
4.5
WNW
13
3
WNW
12
1.8
WNW
11
1.4
WNW
11
2.1
WSW
11
3.5
W
11
4.5
W
12
3.5
W
13
3
W
12
2.3
W
12
1.7
W
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
658
513
483
1794
2346
2323
980
2235
19104
12771
7242
2513
745
408
1018
2804
5859
4589
2759
1438
682
Wind (km/h)
15
SW
15
SE
10
NNW
45
NW
40
WNW
25
SW
60
SSE
65
WSW
75
W
60
WNW
50
W
25
SW
35
SE
25
SSW
50
SW
65
SW
55
W
45
SW
35
WSW
30
SW
20
SSE
Wind State
cross
off
on
on
on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
High Tide
3:58PM3.01m
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
Low Tide
10:24PM0.62m
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
part cloud
cloud
mod rain
rain showers
clear
rain showers
mod rain
light rain
rain showers
clear
cloud
cloud
mod rain
light rain
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
8:14
—
—
8:15
—
—
8:18
—
—
7:19
—
—
8:22
—
—
8:23
—
—
8:26
—
—
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
—
6:21
—
—
6:17
—
—
6:15
—
—
5:14
—
—
6:12
—
—
6:09
—
—
6:07
—
 mm
—
—
9
1
—
1
9
5
3
—
—
—
8
4
6
3
2
2
—
—
—
Temp °C
10
10
9
10
10
10
15
11
11
10
11
11
14
16
15
10
10
13
13
14
12
Feels °C
7
6
6
-1
0
3
8
-2
-4
-3
1
2
9
10
3
-3
-2
5
6
9
9
  • 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 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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