Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 10 Nov 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 19 Nov, 6AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 14s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 17 Nov, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 10s period, NNW swell with 530 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 19 Nov, 6AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 14s 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 (Nov 19) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s. 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 1.6m 10s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Nov 17) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Nov 24) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Thu 19th Nov) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Thu 19th Nov) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Tue 17th Nov) | 5ft (1.6m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Tue morning, min 6°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNE on Wed night, calm by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 11°C on Sun night, min 4°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Fri morning, fresh winds from the ESE by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 10 | Wednesday 11 | Thursday 12 | Friday 13 | Saturday 14 | Sunday 15 | Monday 16 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | W 13 | NNW 3 | NNW 7 | NW 8 | NNW 12 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 7 | W 13 | NNW 8 | W 13 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 19 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 18 | 32 | 90 | 54 | 24 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 25 | 39 | 82 | 244 | 369 | 305 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:08PM3.20m | 6:25AM3.40m | 6:41PM3.07m | 6:59AM3.31m | 7:16PM2.91m | 7:35AM3.19m | 7:52PM2.72m | 8:14AM3.04m | 8:32PM2.52m | 9:00AM2.88m | 9:20PM2.34m | 9:53AM2.75m | 10:23PM2.21m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:56AM0.33m | 00:04AM0.33m | 12:30PM0.39m | 00:36AM0.44m | 1:06PM0.51m | 1:08AM0.57m | 1:44PM0.69m | 1:43AM0.73m | 2:25PM0.88m | 2:20AM0.90m | 3:14PM1.07m | 3:05AM1.06m | 4:17PM1.20m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | | |  |  |  |  | |
 | 7:52 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:56 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:03 | — | — |
 | — | 4:42 | — | — | 4:39 | — | — | 4:37 | — | — | 4:37 | — | — | 4:35 | — | — | 4:32 | — | — | 4:31 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 14 | 4 | 4 |
Temp °C | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Feels °C | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | NW 6 | W 9 | NNW 7 | NW 8 | NNW 12 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NNW 8 | NW 8 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | NW 13 | NW 12 | W 8 |
| kJ | 19 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 18 | 32 | 90 | 54 | 24 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 25 | 39 | 82 | 59 | 38 | 305 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 13 | W 12 | W 15 | W 14 | W 10 | NW 8 | — | NW 13 | — | — | W 16 | NW 9 | NW 8 | W 12 | W 13 | NNW 8 | NNW 13 | NW 13 | — | — | NW 12 |
| kJ | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | — | 7 | — | — | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 16 | 44 | — | — | 34 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 17 | W 12 | N 10 | W 13 | N 9 | — | — | — | — | — | W 14 | W 13 | W 10 | W 12 | NW 14 | NW 8 | W 6 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 6 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 3 | ENE 3 | ENE 2 | — | — | NNW 3 | NE 3 | NNE 2 | — | — | — | — | S 3 | S 3 | S 3 | S 4 | S 4 | — | W 10 | W 10 | — |
| kJ | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | 8 | 14 | 7 | — | 244 | 369 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 32 | 77 | 46 | 36 | 117 | 268 | 19 | 276 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 7 | 12 | 260 | 10 | 403 | 53 |
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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