Back Strands surfForecast / Sligo / Ireland

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Sunday 19 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
9.5° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

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 (Apr 20) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m 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 1.1m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Apr 21) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Apr 22) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Mon 20th Apr)2.5ft (0.8m) 12s
Best Surf10AM (Mon 20th Apr)3ft (0.9m) 11s
Most Powerful10AM (Tue 21st Apr)3.5ft (1.1m) 14s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Very mild (max 11°C on Mon morning, min 5°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the E by Wed morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 6°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ESE on Wed afternoon, calm by Fri morning).

Sun
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.5
WNW
0.8
WNW
0.9
WNW
1.1
W
1
W
1.1
W
1
W
0.7
WNW
0.4
WNW
0.3
WNW
0.2
W
0.1
W
0.1
W
0.1
W
0.1
W
0.1
W
0.1
W
0.1
W
0.1
W
0.1
W
0.1
W
Period(s) (?)14121113121414121111109914131213121199
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)113192194417309515372155402282243333222
Wind
(km/h)
5
NE
15
ENE
15
ENE
10
NNW
20
E
30
E
35
E
35
E
35
E
35
ESE
25
E
25
ESE
20
ESE
15
E
10
E
10
NW
5
E
5
NNW
15
NW
10
NE
5
ESE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
glasscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
onglassglassoncrossglass
High Tide
/ height (m)
7:59PM
3.66
8:20AM
3.54
8:43PM
3.56
9:08AM
3.25
9:31PM
3.39
10:03AM
2.92
10:29PM
3.19
11:11AM
2.60
11:41PM
3.01
12:36PM
2.40
1:06AM
2.94
2:07PM
2.39
2:27AM
3.00
Low Tide
/ height (m)
2:02AM
0.03
2:20PM
0.11
2:49AM
0.18
3:04PM
0.37
3:42AM
0.43
3:53PM
0.67
4:48AM
0.70
4:55PM
0.94
6:17AM
0.90
6:20PM
1.13
7:58AM
0.90
7:56PM
1.13
9:14AM
0.75
Sun
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunrise--6:20--6:18--6:16--6:13--6:11--6:09--6:07
Sunset8:43--8:45--8:46--8:49--8:51--8:52--8:54--
part cloud
part cloud
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
---------------------
Temp. °C10101111101011910111013151114151412131011
Feels °C (?)7587523113571071312128868
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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