Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 27 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 28 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s period, W swell with 220 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 28 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s 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 Tuesday (Jul 28) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 9s 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 1.2m 9s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Tue 28th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Tue 28th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Tue 28th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let's have a look at what the next couple of weeks have got for us. I'll be honest with you, it's a rough start. We're looking at a long, dry spell before anything worth getting wet for shows up.
The first bit of hope doesn't arrive until the 7th of August, Friday afternoon. Before that, it's pretty much a write-off. From the 27th of July all the way through to the morning of the 7th, there's nothing doing. The swell is tiny, the wind's a mess, or it's just flat. A real gap of over a week with nothing on the cards.
So, the first sign of life is on Friday afternoon, the 7th of August. Back Strands picks up a little 4ft swell from the WSW, but with a short period of 7 seconds. The wind goes glassy, which is a treat, but the energy is weak (181). It's surfable, but it's not going to be anything special. Saturday the 8th of August is where the real action kicks off. Morning comes in with a 7ft swell from the West, period of 10 seconds and a clean cross-offshore wind. The energy is strong (865). By the afternoon, it jumps to 8ft, still from the West, period still 10 seconds, and the wind stays clean from the East. The energy is very strong (1158). That's the standout of the whole forecast. This is proper groundswell, and it's going to be powerful. But, because it's a beach break setup, that long period (10 seconds is decent) might make it a bit fast and straight. Still, with clean conditions, it's going to be a good day for experienced surfers. That 8ft is pushing into expert territory.
Sunday the 9th of August goes sour fast. Strong winds from the SW and WSW ruin the party with a messy cross-chop, blowing out the 8ft swell. The rest of the outlook into the second week is a mix of onshore winds and dropping swell, nothing to get excited about.
The water's a touch warmer than normal for this time of year at Back Strands, coming in at 62°F.
So, to keep it simple: The 8th of August, Saturday, is your best bet. Keep an eye on the morning session for a more manageable size, but the afternoon will be the biggest. After that, it's back to the waiting game.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon night, min 12°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Mon afternoon, fresh winds from the WNW by Wed night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Fri morning, light winds from the WNW by Sun morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | ||||||||||||||
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 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WNW 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 282 | 169 | 196 | 165 | 210 | 108 | 104 | 110 | 125 | 109 | 107 | 127 | 111 | 89 | 135 | 111 | 85 | 69 | 50 | 36 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 5:44PM3.03m | 6:01AM2.79m | 6:22PM3.22m | 6:36AM2.90m | 6:56PM3.38m | 7:10AM2.98m | 7:29PM3.51m | 7:43AM3.03m | 8:00PM3.57m | 8:15AM3.05m | 8:32PM3.56m | 8:49AM3.03m | 9:04PM3.50m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:55PM0.76m | 11:56AM0.63m | 00:32AM0.61m | 12:30PM0.48m | 1:06AM0.49m | 1:03PM0.38m | 1:38AM0.40m | 1:34PM0.32m | 2:10AM0.35m | 2:05PM0.33m | 2:42AM0.35m | 2:38PM0.38m | 3:15AM0.38m | |||||||
 |  | |  |  | |  |  |  | | | | | |  | |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — |
 | — | 9:44 | — | — | 9:42 | — | — | 9:39 | — | — | 9:37 | — | — | 9:37 | — | — | 9:35 | — | — | 9:32 |
mm | 2 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 8 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NNW 9 | NW 9 | N 8 | N 8 | NW 9 | — | — | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 10 | WNW 7 |
| kJ | 282 | 169 | 196 | 165 | 210 | 108 | 104 | 26 | 25 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | — | — | 85 | 69 | 8 | 36 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | NW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | W 11 | — | — | — | — | W 10 | — | W 9 |
| kJ | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | 7 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | — | NW 9 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 3 | SSW 4 | — | — | — | — | W 8 | WNW 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | — | — | WNW 8 | — |
| kJ | — | 2 | 7 | — | — | — | — | 110 | 125 | 109 | 107 | 127 | 111 | 89 | 135 | 111 | — | — | 50 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 27 | 10 | 27 | 53 | 10 | 53 | 127 | 22 | 517 | 767 | 23 | 512 | 527 | 104 | 442 | 1003 | 292 | 53 | 104 | 7 |
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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