Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 11s period, WNW swell with 718 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 1.8m 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 4PM. 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 | 4PM (Sat 25th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, surfers, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming our way.
Honestly, for the first week, it’s a real tough stretch. We’ve got a whole lot of junk – small, weak, wind-blown slop with very little going for it. The swell energy is weak, readings in the 40s to 50s (combined energy), and the wind is never your friend. It’s all cross-onshore or onshore, making for a bumpy, choppy mess. This run of poor surf starts now and goes right through to the end of July. You’re better off getting the gear sorted and waiting this one out.
Keep your eyes on Monday, July 27th, and Tuesday, July 28th. That’s our window. After a long, flat spell, we finally get a pulse of swell from the WNW. On Monday the 27th, we’re looking at surf in the 5ft to 6ft range with a period of 10 seconds. The wind swings to a light SSW – that’s a cross-offshore breeze, which will clean the lines up nicely. The combined energy jumps to 450 (combined energy) at the start of the day, which is a solid moderate energy. It’s not going to be perfect, but it’ll be a damn sight better than anything else we’ve seen. The water is a notable 3° warmer than normal for this time of year at 64°, so it’s a bit of a surprise.
Tuesday the 28th looks even bigger, with swell pushing 7ft from the WNW, also with a 10 to 11-second period. The energy is ramping up to 884 to 972 (combined energy). That’s a lot of power. The wind stays cross-offshore from the S to SSW, keeping things clean. However, this is a reef break, and with a 7ft swell, it’s going to be for experienced surfers only. The main break to talk about is Back Strands, a fairly consistent reef that handles the W swell well. The only issue is the crowds: it can get a bit busy here sometimes. For the standout, Monday the 27th is the more accessible window for the average surfer; Tuesday is the one for the crew with the bigger boards and the nerve.
After that, the forecast gets messy again pretty quickly. By Wednesday the 29th, the wind swings back onshore and the quality drops off a cliff. The second week from the 30th of July onwards is a write-off, with strong winds and poor conditions. This is a classic case of a short-lived, quality window. Don’t sleep on the 27th and 28th.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Wed morning). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 23 | 22 | 21 | 35 | 35 | 31 | 30 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 13 | 9 | 13 | 163 | 131 | 140 | 604 | 718 | 585 |
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 | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | 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 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 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 9 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 23 | 6 | 10 | 35 | 35 | 31 | 30 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | — | 131 | — | — | — | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 12 | W 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 6 | 11 | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 13 | — | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 12 | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 7 | — | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NNW 6 | NW 3 | NW 6 | NW 5 | NW 3 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 10 | — | WNW 8 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 |
| kJ | — | 22 | — | 11 | 15 | 22 | 16 | 5 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 18 | 13 | 9 | 13 | 163 | — | 140 | 604 | 718 | 585 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 243 | 323 | 19 | 276 | 521 | 117 | 231 | 104 | 231 | 231 | 512 | 231 | 457 | 485 | 53 | 1188 | 1188 | 792 | 568 | 260 | 265 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Sligo | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Ireland | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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