Using Surf-Forecast’s Historical Surf Data To Find The Most Consistent Waves On Earth
Using our statistical data for 7000 spots dating back to 2006, we can find those waves that break the most, with the best winds.
- Forecast
- Maps
- Live
- Weather State
- Spot Information
Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surfForecast / Sligo / Ireland
12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 pm Sunday 28 Dec 2025 ISTForecast 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 slightly cooler than normal)Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Back Strands this week:
The surf forecast for Back Strands over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Dec 29) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Back Strands in the next 12 days are 1.7m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jan 05) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 2s period and expected on Tuesday (Dec 30) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Mon 29th Dec) | 2ft (0.6m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Sun 4th Jan) | 5ft (1.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Mon 5th Jan) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 12 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Mild temperatures (max 5°C on Mon night, min 2°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 9mm) at first, then becoming colder with a dusting of snow on Fri night. Mild temperatures (max 8°C on Wed night, min 2°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 29 | Tuesday 30 | Wednesday 31 | Thursday 01 | Friday 02 | Saturday 03 | Sun 04 | ||||||||||||||||
| Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | ||
Rating (10 max) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
| Wave Height (m) & direction (?) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period(s) (?) | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 10 | |
Wave (?)Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ (?) | 144 | 123 | 80 | 46 | 80 | 104 | 127 | 82 | 72 | 176 | 54 | 212 | 140 | 84 | 39 | 82 | 281 | 250 | 140 | 323 | 281 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wind State (?) onshore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore offshore glassy | cross- off | cross- off | cross- off | cross- off | cross- off | cross- off | off | cross- off | cross | cross- on | cross- on | cross- on | on | cross- on | cross- on | cross- on | on | on | cross | cross | on | |
High Tide / height (m) | 12:10AM 2.56 | 12:24PM 2.95 | 1:21AM 2.68 | 1:37PM 2.96 | 2:28AM 2.87 | 2:48PM 3.04 | 3:29AM 3.12 | 3:52PM 3.16 | 4:24AM 3.38 | 4:49PM 3.26 | 5:15AM 3.62 | 5:41PM 3.32 | 6:03AM 3.79 | |||||||||
Low Tide / height (m) | 5:56AM 1.06 | 6:58PM 0.73 | 7:18AM 1.00 | 8:05PM 0.64 | 8:33AM 0.81 | 9:06PM 0.51 | 9:37AM 0.56 | 10:01PM 0.37 | 10:34AM 0.32 | 10:50PM 0.25 | 11:27AM 0.14 | 11:37PM 0.16 | 12:16PM 0.04 | |||||||||
Monday 29 | Tuesday 30 | Wednesday 31 | Thursday 01 | Friday 02 | Saturday 03 | Sun 04 | ||||||||||||||||
| Sunrise | - | 8:55 | - | - | 8:55 | - | - | 8:55 | - | - | 8:55 | - | - | 8:55 | - | - | 8:55 | - | - | 8:53 | - | |
| Sunset | - | - | 4:15 | - | - | 4:15 | - | - | 4:16 | - | - | 4:19 | - | - | 4:20 | - | - | 4:21 | - | - | 4:22 | |
 |  | |  | |  |  | | |  |  |  | |  | |  | | |  | |  | ||
Rain (mm) | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 1 | - | - | 2 | 1 | 2 | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | |
| Temp. °C | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| Feels °C (?) | 0 | -1 | -1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -2 | -1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | -2 | -4 | -4 | -2 | -2 | -5 | -3 | -4 | |
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)- Wind Speed (km/h)
Latest Updates
Nazare Big Wave Challenge Gets Yellow Alert, Could Run Saturday in Giant Waves
70-foot plus waves predicted for Portuguese big wave tow surfing competition.
Buy Less, Surf More This Black Friday
Surf-forecast is providing a free, all-access pass to our premium features and 12-day forecasts all weekend.
Quiksilver Teams Up With PrimaLoft® For World’s First Thermal Layering System for a Wetsuit.
Previously used in our snow jackets for mountain conditions, PrimaLoft® technology is making its debut in the surf industry. The aim is to bring mountain-grade warmth to the waves.
Read more
Discover more articles and updates in the Greenroom.
FREE! Surf-Forecast.com widget for your website
The surf report / weather widget below is available to embed on third party websites free of charge and provides a summary of our Back Strands surf forecast. Simply grab the html code snippet that we provide and paste it into your own site. You can choose your preferred language and metric/imperial units for the surf forecast feed to suit users of your site. Click here to get the code.
false
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 12 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.
Nearest