
Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 5 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 8 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s period, W swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 10s period, WNW swell with 263 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 8 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 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 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m 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 1.2m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) at 10PM. 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+) | 1AM (Wed 8th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Wed 8th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Fri 10th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright, Rusty here, and I’ll be straight with ya – we’re in a flat spell. Looking at Back Strands, this reef can pick up a decent W swell, but the next few weeks are looking pretty grim for any real surfing. The forecast shows very weak, small waves with poor conditions for the vast majority of the period.
Right now, starting off on Sunday the 5th of July, we’ve got a weak 4ft W swell coming in, but it’s a short-period swell at 9 seconds and the wind is a messy cross-shore from the SW at 12 mph. The combined swell energy is only 215 – that’s weak energy – and the water is notably warmer than average at 61°F, about 4°F above the norm. It’s just a choppy mess with poor surf conditions all day.
Monday the 6th and Tuesday the 7th are more of the same: 4ft to 4ft W swell with cross and cross-onshore winds, keeping the surface ugly. The wave energy drops into the 160s and 180s. Not worth paddling out.
Wednesday the 8th into Thursday the 9th sees the swell drop to a tiny 3ft. But here’s a glimmer – on Thursday morning the 9th of July, we get a window of glassy conditions with a light S wind at 3 mph. The surf is still ordinary, but the clean surface makes it ridable for a grovel on a log or a fun board. The period is still a short 9 seconds, and energy is weak at 127.
After that, it’s a long stretch of nothing. From Friday the 10th right through to Monday the 20th of July, the swell legs are mostly under 2ft, with a few days barely reaching 3ft. The winds are predominantly onshore or cross-onshore from the NNW or NW, often at 12-16 mph, which kills any chance of a decent wave. The combined swell energy barely breaks triple digits, often sitting below 100. It’s a classic winter flat spell.
There is a tiny, tiny hope on Tuesday the 14th morning – clean, glassy conditions with 2ft W swell at 10 seconds, but at 94 energy, it’s barely a ripple. Not a standout by any stretch.
The only possible highlight, if you can call it one, is the Thursday morning the 9th of July. For Back Strands, with a 3ft W swell and glassy winds, you might get a few clean little lines. But don’t expect any power – it’ll be a small-wave session.
Other than that, this forecast is a write-off. A full two-week gap with nothing worth chasing. The setup is so small and windy it’d be more interesting for kite surfing than paddling. Forecasts can change, but as it stands, you’re better off waxing the longboard for a flat-water paddle.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 9 | W 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
215 | 209 | 181 | 187 | 161 | 165 | 169 | 189 | 157 | 130 | 130 | 101 | 127 | 126 | 74 | 50 | 167 | 223 | 166 | 79 | 50 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 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 | 2:45PM2.75m | 3:06AM2.90m | 3:52PM2.96m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 8:20AM0.76m | 8:50PM0.94m | 9:28AM0.66m | 10:02PM0.72m | ||||||||
5:05 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:11 | — | — | 5:11 | — | — | |
— | — | 10:09 | — | — | 10:08 | — | — | 10:07 | — | — | 10:07 | — | — | 10:07 | — | — | 10:06 | — | — | 10:05 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 14 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | — | — | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 9 | W 8 |
215 | — | — | 187 | 161 | 165 | 169 | 189 | 157 | 130 | 130 | 101 | 127 | 126 | 74 | 50 | 167 | 223 | 166 | 79 | 50 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 11 | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 9 | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 4 | NNW 4 |
— | 209 | 181 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 8 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 27 | 267 | 22 | 27 | 203 | 22 | 27 | 281 | 0 | 0 | 53 | 0 | 0 | 250 | 46 | 243 | 494 | 422 | 422 | 422 | 117 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Sligo | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Ireland | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










