Back Strands Surf Break

Lat Long: 54.45° N 8.49° W

Back Strands Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 pm 12 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Back Strands sea temperature is
16.1° C
1.8° 

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 12 Jul 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 12s period, W swell with 73 kJ wave energy.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Back Strands this week:

The most powerful waves expected at Back Strands in the next 16 days are 0.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 2s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful 7AM (Sun 19th Jul)1.5ft (0.5m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.


G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s take a look at what’s coming for Back Strands. Honestly, the next couple of weeks are a real mixed bag — we start off with hardly a thing, and it’s going to feel like a long wait for anything worthwhile. The first real recommendation doesn’t show up for over a week.

We’re talking about Back Strands — a reef break. Right now, the water’s sitting at 61°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you might not need a thick wetsuit if you’ve got a good spring suit.

The outlook kicks off Sunday 12 July but don’t get stoked — it’s tiny. Early morning there’s some clouds, a cross-off breeze from the east at 12 mph, and a tiny 1 ft swell out of the WNW with a period of 8 seconds. Combined wave energy is only 22 — it’s weak. The surf is poor. That theme sticks all day and into Monday 13 July and Tuesday 14 July. We’re talking 0.7 ft to 1 ft waves, consistent east breezes, and energy readings staying in the teens or low 30s. Nothing worth paddling out for.

Wednesday 15 July through to Saturday 18 July is more of the same: tiny 0.7 ft to 1.0 ft swell, periods between 8 and 9 seconds. On Thursday afternoon and Friday morning we get a few hours of glassy conditions, which would be beautiful if there was any wave to surf. But there isn’t. This stretch is dead.

Now, Sunday 19 July brings a little pulse — 2 ft swell with a 12-second period in the morning, energy at 83. But it’s onshore from the northwest at 6 mph, and the surf quality is still poor. Not your day.

Monday 20 July things start to lift. Morning shows 4 ft from the west, 8-second period, but cross-onshore winds and energy at 190 — moderate, but messy. By the afternoon, it jumps to 6 ft, energy hits 465, but wind’s still cross-onshore and it’s choppy. Not great.

Tuesday 21 July the swell builds to 6 ft out of the west, periods around 9–10 seconds, energy up to 646. But it’s still cross-onshore and fairly choppy. Not clean, but you can see the size coming.

Here’s the standout: Wednesday 22 July. Early morning, it’s 8 ft from the WNW with an 11-second period — that’s a proper groundswell. Combined energy is a massive 1720 — that’s strong to very strong wave energy. The wind is cross-off from the south-southwest at just 9 mph, and the surf is clean. This is excellent for experienced surfers — it’s over 8 ft, so it’s only for the crew who know what they’re doing. The swell direction is WNW, which matches the optimum from the west — that’s a good fit for this reef. That morning window is your best bet across the whole outlook. Crowds are possible here — it’s listed as “sometimes” busy, so get in early.

The afternoon on Wednesday 22 July drops off with a cross-shore wind at 16 mph and marginal conditions — not worth it.

Thursday 23 July the swell drops to 5 ft, but wind stays cross and cross-onshore, choppy. Friday 24 July is messy and dropping quickly — 3 ft with onshore winds up to 22 mph. The rest of the outlook into Saturday 25 July and Sunday 26 July is tiny again, 2 ft to 2 ft, mostly onshore or cross-off but no size.

Monday 27 July sees a small 3 ft pulse in the afternoon from the WNW, energy at 126, but it’s cross-shore and choppy.

Summing it up: you’ve got over a week of tiny, poor surf, then a brief window of proper size on Wednesday 22 July morning. That’s the one to circle on the calendar — but it’s for the experienced only. For everyone else, keep an eye on the forecasts; things can change.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sun afternoon, min 15°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Warm (max 25°C on Wed afternoon, min 16°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
WNW
8
0.4
WNW
7
0.1
W
21
0.3
WNW
7
0.2
W
13
0.3
W
12
0.4
W
11
0.4
W
10
0.3
W
10
0.2
W
9
0.2
W
9
0.2
W
10
0.2
W
9
0.2
W
8
0.2
W
8
0.2
W
8
0.2
W
8
0.2
W
8
0.2
W
8
0.3
W
8
0.4
WNW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
22
18
9
10
14
23
36
31
16
6
6
7
6
6
5
5
5
5
5
10
58
Wind (km/h)
20
E
20
E
20
E
15
E
15
E
15
ENE
15
E
20
E
20
E
20
E
20
E
15
ENE
15
E
5
N
10
E
0
ENE
10
NNW
10
NE
10
NNW
20
NW
15
NW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross-on
on
on
High Tide
4:53PM3.22m
5:20AM3.15m
5:48PM3.50m
6:16AM3.26m
6:39PM3.74m
7:07AM3.31m
7:27PM3.91m
7:54AM3.29m
8:14PM3.97m
8:40AM3.22m
8:59PM3.91m
9:25AM3.10m
9:43PM3.72m
Low Tide
10:29AM0.52m
11:05PM0.47m
11:23AM0.36m
00:01AM0.23m
12:13PM0.21m
00:53AM0.06m
12:59PM0.12m
1:43AM-0.02m
1:43PM0.09m
2:30AM0.00m
2:27PM0.15m
3:15AM0.12m
3:10PM0.28m
4:00AM0.30m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
cloud
light rain
part cloud
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:13
5:15
5:16
5:16
5:18
5:20
5:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
10:04
10:02
10:01
10:00
9:59
9:58
9:57
 mm
1
1
1
Temp °C
21
25
21
21
23
19
22
24
21
23
25
21
21
24
22
20
20
20
18
18
15
Feels °C
20
23
20
19
20
17
19
21
19
20
21
20
21
24
21
20
20
20
15
15
13
  • 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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