Back Strands surfForecast / Sligo / Ireland

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Wednesday 15 Apr 2026 IST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Back Strands surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Back Strands sea temperature is
9.0° C
(Which is slightly cooler than normal)

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 (Apr 15) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 9s. 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 2.4m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Apr 16) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Friday (Apr 17) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Wed 15th Apr)3ft (0.9m) 13s
Best Surf 7PM (Sun 19th Apr)5ft (1.6m) 14s
Most Powerful 4AM (Thu 16th Apr)8ft (2.4m) 16s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Wed afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Tue night, strong winds from the SW by Wed night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun afternoon, min 7°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun morning, fresh winds from the ESE by Mon afternoon).

Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tue
21
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
2
3
1
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.4
W
0.9
W
0.9
W
1.6
W
2.1
W
1.6
W
1
W
0.9
W
1.3
WSW
1.6
W
1.8
W
1.4
WNW
1.2
W
1.1
W
0.9
WNW
1.5
WNW
1.3
WNW
1.3
W
1.1
W
1.2
WNW
1.2
W
Period(s) (?)1413121615141212111010109914131211111212
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)6526323512421885946290220415464706386235190366746519441307439411
Wind
(km/h)
20
SE
20
SSE
35
SSW
40
SW
25
SW
25
S
35
SSE
35
SSW
35
SW
25
W
25
WSW
20
W
15
SSW
10
SE
5
SSE
20
ESE
30
SE
35
ESE
40
ESE
45
ESE
45
ESE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
offcross-
off
cross-
off
crosscrosscross-
off
offcross-
off
crosscross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
off
offglassoffoffoffoffcross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
Low Tide
/ height (m)
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tue
21
Sunrise-6:33--6:31--6:28--6:26--6:22--6:20--6:18-
Sunset--8:35--8:37--8:38--8:40--8:43--8:45--8:46
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
light rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
Rain (mm)
12124-141-3-----------
Temp. °C121111912131111118101091114101212101111
Feels °C (?)9531774431555910554211
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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