Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 15 Nov 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 18 Nov, 6AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 15s period, W swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 27 Nov, 12PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, W swell with 5,180 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 16 Nov, 9AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s period with NW 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 Monday (Nov 16) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Back Strands in the next 16 days are 3.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Nov 27) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Nov 17) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Mon 16th Nov) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Wed 18th Nov) | 6ft (1.8m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Fri 27th Nov) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 33mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 10°C on Tue morning, min 4°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Sun night, near gales from the ESE by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Mild temperatures (max 8°C on Wed morning, min 4°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Wed night, light winds from the ENE by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 15 | Monday 16 | Tuesday 17 | Wednesday 18 | Thursday 19 | Friday 20 | Saturday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | NW 9 | NW 10 | NW 9 | W 10 | NW 12 | WSW 11 | W 12 | W 14 | W 16 | W 16 | W 16 | W 15 | W 14 | W 12 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 163 | 515 | 396 | 83 | 31 | 23 | 25 | 104 | 844 | 1938 | 3080 | 2896 | 1074 | 617 | 199 | 102 | 95 | 56 | 31 | 17 | 265 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross |
High Tide | 9:20PM2.34m | 9:53AM2.75m | 10:23PM2.21m | 10:56AM2.67m | 11:40PM2.19m | 12:03PM2.68m | 00:56AM2.29m | 1:05PM2.76m | 1:57AM2.49m | 2:00PM2.91m | 2:46AM2.75m | 2:49PM3.09m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 3:14PM1.07m | 3:05AM1.06m | 4:17PM1.20m | 4:02AM1.22m | 5:36PM1.22m | 5:20AM1.30m | 6:51PM1.11m | 6:42AM1.27m | 7:47PM0.91m | 7:48AM1.12m | 8:32PM0.67m | 8:40AM0.91m | 9:13PM0.44m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  |  | |  |  | | |  | |  | | | |  | |  | |
 | 8:02 | — | — | 8:03 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:11 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — |
 | — | 4:32 | — | — | 4:31 | — | — | 4:30 | — | — | 4:29 | — | — | 4:27 | — | — | 4:25 | — | — | 4:23 | — |
mm | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | 14 | 9 | 6 | 1 | — | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 3 | 6 |
Temp °C | 9 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 10 |
Feels °C | 2 | -2 | -2 | -1 | -4 | -2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 0 | -1 | -1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | -1 | 1 | -2 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 12 | WSW 11 | W 12 | W 14 | W 16 | W 16 | W 16 | W 15 | W 14 | W 12 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 8 |
| kJ | 26 | 22 | 36 | 83 | 27 | 23 | 25 | 104 | 844 | 1938 | 3080 | 2896 | 1074 | 617 | 199 | 102 | 95 | 56 | 31 | 17 | 265 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 16 | — | — | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 12 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 25 | — | — | 51 | 31 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | — | — | NW 13 | NW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | — | — | 28 | 27 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | NW 9 | NW 10 | — | ESE 3 | ESE 5 | — | — | — | E 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 3 | ESE 3 | ESE 3 | — |
| kJ | 163 | 515 | 396 | — | 5 | 71 | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 9 | 6 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 234 | 373 | 178 | 0 | 117 | 560 | 36 | 96 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 21 | 339 | 340 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 48 | 7 | 86 |
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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