Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 10s period, W swell with 449 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 1.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) 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+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Sat 25th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you—this stretch isn’t looking like much for the next couple of weeks. We’ve got Back Strands as the only spot with any real data, and honestly, it’s a quiet run. There’s a big gap right at the start with no proper surf to recommend, so don’t even bother checking until the very end of the month.
The first few days are just a write-off. From Sunday the 19th through to the end of July, it’s all tiny, weak, wonky waves with poor wind. Sunday morning the 19th sees a pitiful 2 ft from the NW with a short 7-second period, cross-on from the north at 6 mph, and combined energy sitting at a measly 41—just nothing worth paddling for. Monday through Thursday of that week barely nudges above 1 ft, and the wind keeps it messy. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing weird.
Now, the first real glimmer comes on Friday the 31st of July. That morning, the swell finally bumps up to 5 ft from the W, with a period of 10 seconds—decent groundswell feel. The combined energy hits 470 (moderate wave energy), and the wind switches to a light ESE cross-off at 9 mph, cleaning things right up. The afternoon gets even better: 6 ft from the W, offshore SE breeze at 12 mph, and energy at 495. That’s the standout of the whole period. The reef at Back Strands will handle that longish period well, and with offshore wind, it’ll be rolling in clean. Crowds are possible here, so keep an eye out, but it’s a Friday so maybe you’ll luck out.
Saturday the 1st of August morning still has clean 3 ft surf from the W with a cross-off breeze, but the energy drops to 165 and the conditions are just ordinary. After that, it fades fast. Sunday the 2nd is back to junk—tiny, weak, and messy with strong winds. Into Monday the 3rd, forget it.
So here’s the takeaway: if you’re hanging on for a wave, mark Friday the 31st of July. That morning and afternoon are the only real chance at something decent. The rest of the 16-day window is a whole lot of nothing. Forecasts can change, but right now, this is a blank run for the area. Stay patient.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed morning, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NW 7 | NW 7 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | NW 6 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | W 8 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | W 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 23 | 22 | 21 | 35 | 35 | 31 | 30 | 19 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 109 | 134 | 49 | 270 | 308 | 423 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 10:10AM2.95m | 10:28PM3.45m | 10:57AM2.80m | 11:14PM3.14m | 11:47AM2.65m | 00:05AM2.82m | 12:44PM2.54m | 1:06AM2.57m | 1:52PM2.49m | 2:18AM2.43m | 3:06PM2.53m | 3:33AM2.43m | 4:11PM2.65m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:55PM0.49m | 4:45AM0.52m | 4:43PM0.73m | 5:31AM0.76m | 5:37PM0.97m | 6:24AM0.96m | 6:44PM1.16m | 7:27AM1.11m | 8:06PM1.25m | 8:38AM1.15m | 9:25PM1.21m | 9:43AM1.09m | 10:27PM1.08m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | |  | |  | |
 | 5:22 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:55 | — | — | 9:53 | — | — | 9:52 | — | — | 9:51 | — | — | 9:50 | — | — | 9:47 | — | — | 9:46 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | 5 |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 7 | W 9 | NW 6 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | W 8 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | W 10 |
| kJ | 23 | 6 | 10 | 35 | 35 | 31 | 30 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 109 | 134 | 49 | 270 | 308 | 423 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 12 | W 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 6 | — | W 12 | — | — | NW 8 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 6 | 11 | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | 3 | — | — | 33 | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 13 | — | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 11 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 12 | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 45 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 7 | — | NW 6 | NW 5 | NNW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 4 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 4 | NW 6 | NW 6 | WSW 3 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 22 | — | 8 | 14 | 17 | 10 | 19 | 3 | 8 | 13 | 9 | 4 | 9 | 8 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 231 | 323 | 19 | 276 | 521 | 117 | 19 | 528 | 231 | 104 | 512 | 231 | 127 | 527 | 37 | 53 | 1216 | 27 | 145 | 522 | 265 |
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.
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