Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 11 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 12 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 8s period, WNW swell with 59 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 0.7m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 12) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sun 12th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
Right, let’s have a look at the charts for Back Strands. This is a reef set-up, and honestly, the next couple of weeks are looking pretty quiet. The water is sitting at 61°, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year, so you won’t need the thickest steamer.
The first surfable waves I can see don’t show up until the morning of the 19th of July. That’s a full week of flat, weak conditions before we get anything. On the 19th, we’ve got a small 3ft swell pushing in from the WNW with a short period of 6 seconds. The combined energy is weak (70), so it’s pretty gutless. But the wind is glassy that morning – a light NNE breeze, dead calm – so it’ll be clean. You’ll be scratching around for little waves, but it’s surfable. The afternoon turns onshore and messy.
The 20th of July morning is the same story: 3ft from the WNW, period still a short 6 seconds, and combined energy at 72. But again, it’s dead calm – glassy as a mirror. If you’re desperate for a paddle, that’s your window. It’s not a standout by any stretch.
Now, let’s talk about the 21st of July. The morning sees a bump in swell: 4ft from the WNW, period lifting to 8 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to 212 (moderate). That’s the biggest energy we see in the whole run. But the wind is a light cross-onshore from the WSW, so it’s going to be a little bumpy. For a reef, cross-onshore can still work, but it won’t be perfect. Still, that’s the best size on offer.
The real wildcard is the 26th of July. Sunday morning, we’ve got a 6ft swell from the WNW, period 9 seconds, and the combined energy is a strong 471. That’s a solid pulse. But the wind is a light cross-shore from the NNE, which is okay, but the period is short enough that it’ll be a bit lumpy. That size is getting into the “experts only” territory – not for the groms. The afternoon turns onshore and strong at 15 mph, so it’ll get blown out.
Look, nothing here is a true standout. The 21st and 26th have the most size, but the wind isn’t ideal. If you’re a patient soul, the glassy mornings on the 19th and 20th will give you clean, knee-to-waist high dribblers. But overall, it’s a pretty lean run for Back Strands.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 26°C on Thu afternoon, min 16°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sat 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 21 | WNW 7 | W 13 | W 12 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 90 | 59 | 22 | 18 | 9 | 10 | 14 | 23 | 36 | 31 | 16 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | 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 | cross-off | glassy | cross | glassy | glassy | glassy |
High Tide | 4:17AM3.01m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:02PM0.72m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  | | | | |  | | | |  | |  |  | | | | |  | | | |
 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:18 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 |
 | — | 10:05 | — | — | 10:04 | — | — | 10:02 | — | — | 10:01 | — | — | 10:00 | — | — | 9:59 | — | — | 9:58 | 9:57 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 6 | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 16 | 22 | 24 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 18 | 22 | 24 | 20 | 23 | 25 | 21 | 24 | 26 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 18 | 19 |
Feels °C | 17 | 14 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 15 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 19 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 18 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 12 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 |
| kJ | 90 | 59 | 22 | 18 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 23 | 36 | 31 | 16 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | N 6 | W 14 | W 13 | W 7 | — | W 18 | — | W 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 14 | 4 | — | 6 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | W 21 | — | W 20 | WNW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | 7 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | E 2 | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 | ESE 3 | E 2 | ESE 3 | E 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 178 | 12 | 32 | 33 | 422 | 292 | 117 | 7 | 7 | 15 | 46 | 117 | 117 | 117 | 270 | 292 | 117 | 292 | 313 | 313 | 797 |
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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