Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 27 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 27 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period, W swell with 319 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 27 Jul, 7PM (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 Monday (Jul 27) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s. 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 1.3m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let's talk about what's on offer for Back Strands.
First up, the water's sitting at 62° - that's a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, which is a nice little bonus. You'll feel that difference.
Now, the honest truth is that the next few days are a write-off. We've got a bit of a gap on our hands. The only real window to get excited about is the very start of the run. Monday morning (July 27th) is your shot. We've got a clean 4ft swell rolling in from the WNW, with a period of 10 seconds. That's a decent groundswell, and with a light southerly breeze keeping it cross-off, the face is going to be clean. The combined energy is moderate at 346, so there's some push behind it. This is the standout, no question.
But after that, it goes flat pretty quickly. The swell drops and the wind turns onshore, bringing in lumpy, choppy conditions. From Monday afternoon right through to the start of August, there's just nothing to write home about. We're looking at a long, dry spell of about a week where the surf is either too small or too messy.
Things start to show a little pulse again on the 7th of August (Friday morning). We get a clean 3ft to 3ft swell from the WNW, with a long 9-second period. The winds are light and cross-off, so it'll be clean. The combined energy is moderate (129-146). It's not big, but it's surfable and clean – a decent option if you're desperate for a paddle.
Then, on the 8th of August (Saturday morning), the swell jumps up to 6ft from the WNW, but the period drops to 8 seconds. The combined energy is strong at 414, but a 6ft wave with a short period is going to be a bit of a lumpy, close-out mess, especially with that light cross-onshore wind. That size is pushing it for beginners, and the quality isn't there for the experienced crew either. It's a frustrating one.
Further out, the 10th of August (Monday morning) looks glassy with a 3ft WNW swell, but it's not much to get excited about. The 11th of August (Tuesday morning) offers a clean 3ft swell with a light offshore breeze, which is your best bet for the second week, but it's a long way out and the energy is weak.
So, to sum it up: Monday morning is the clear winner. Get on it if you can. The rest of the forecast is a story of waiting for the next real pulse.
That's the word from the sand.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Tue morning, light winds from the WSW by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Thu afternoon, calm by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 7 | WNW 7 | W 6 | W 6 | WNW 6 | W 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 342 | 319 | 198 | 309 | 163 | 130 | 104 | 80 | 47 | 42 | 28 | 36 | 20 | 18 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 18 | 23 | 28 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | cross | cross-off |
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 | 11:19AM0.79m | 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 | |||||||
 | |  | | |  | | |  |  | |  |  |  | | | | | |  |  | |
 | 5:35 | — | — | 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 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | 2 | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 13 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | W 10 | W 9 | NW 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 7 | WNW 7 | W 6 | W 6 | WNW 6 | W 10 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | W 10 | NW 8 |
| kJ | 342 | 319 | 198 | 3 | 163 | 130 | 104 | 80 | 47 | 42 | 28 | 36 | 20 | 18 | 10 | 2 | 11 | 12 | 18 | 7 | 28 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 10 | — | NW 9 | N 9 | N 9 | NW 11 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NW 8 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NW 8 | N 8 | NW 6 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | N 9 | W 9 |
| kJ | 4 | 4 | 4 | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 7 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 7 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 9 | — | — | NW 10 | — | — | — | W 11 | — | — | — | W 10 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 3 | — | — | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | NW 7 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 309 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 12 | — | — | — | 23 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 27 | 10 | 53 | 27 | 0 | 83 | 22 | 12 | 89 | 88 | 422 | 36 | 540 | 36 | 746 | 561 | 37 | 7 | 23 | 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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