Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 12 Nov 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 24 Nov, 12AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 11s period, W swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 24 Nov, 12AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 11s period, W swell with 3,780 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 13 Nov, 3AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 11s 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 Friday (Nov 13) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 11s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Back Strands in the next 16 days are 4.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Nov 24) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Monday (Nov 23) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Fri 13th Nov) | 2ft (0.6m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Tue 24th Nov) | 13ft (4.0m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Tue 24th Nov) | 13ft (4.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Thu morning, min 4°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, fresh winds from the SSE by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 40mm), heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 10°C on Sun morning, min 4°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Sun morning, near gales from the N by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 12 | Friday 13 | Saturday 14 | Sunday 15 | Monday 16 | Tuesday 17 | Wednesday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | NW 12 | NW 11 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 15 | NW 14 | NW 13 | NW 12 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NNE 5 | NNW 9 | W 16 | W 14 | W 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 33 | 35 | 112 | 55 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 17 | 31 | 54 | 203 | 552 | 1374 | 281 | 24 | 14 | 70 | 92 | 947 | 691 | 858 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 7:16PM2.91m | 7:35AM3.19m | 7:52PM2.72m | 8:14AM3.04m | 8:32PM2.52m | 9:00AM2.88m | 9:20PM2.34m | 9:53AM2.75m | 10:23PM2.21m | 10:56AM2.67m | 11:40PM2.19m | 12:03PM2.68m | 00:56AM2.29m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:06PM0.51m | 1:08AM0.57m | 1:44PM0.69m | 1:43AM0.73m | 2:25PM0.88m | 2:20AM0.90m | 3:14PM1.07m | 3:05AM1.06m | 4:17PM1.20m | 4:02AM1.22m | 5:36PM1.22m | 5:20AM1.30m | 6:51PM1.11m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | |  | |  |  | | | | | |  |  | | | |  | |
 | 7:56 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:03 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — |
 | — | 4:37 | — | — | 4:37 | — | — | 4:35 | — | — | 4:32 | — | — | 4:31 | — | — | 4:30 | — | — | 4:29 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | 22 | 9 | 5 | 12 | 8 | 7 |
Temp °C | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Feels °C | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 4 | -2 | 2 | 0 | -6 | -2 | -2 | -2 | -1 | -1 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 12 | NW 11 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 14 | W 11 | W 10 | NW 10 | NW 6 | NW 9 | W 10 | W 11 | W 16 | W 14 | W 15 |
| kJ | 33 | 35 | 112 | 55 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 31 | 26 | 203 | 154 | 35 | 281 | 9 | 14 | 2 | 21 | 947 | 691 | 858 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 13 | — | — | NNW 10 | NW 9 | W 13 | NW 10 | W 11 | NW 15 | W 11 | — | — | W 10 | NW 10 | W 9 | W 12 | W 18 | — | W 18 | — |
| kJ | — | 28 | — | — | 9 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 10 | 54 | 85 | — | — | 18 | 24 | 7 | 3 | 24 | — | 607 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | W 16 | — | — | W 12 | W 13 | W 12 | — | — | — | — | W 9 | W 13 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | 3 | 4 | 26 | — | — | — | — | 15 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 3 | N 4 | — | — | WSW 3 | SSW 3 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | S 4 | WSW 6 | W 6 | NW 13 | NW 12 | — | — | ENE 4 | NNE 5 | NNW 9 | NW 10 | NW 13 | NNW 11 |
| kJ | 6 | 9 | — | — | 1 | 2 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 18 | 552 | 1374 | — | — | 19 | 70 | 92 | 110 | 594 | 651 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 278 | 269 | 10 | 12 | 7 | 36 | 36 | 61 | 61 | 0 | 88 | 21 | 1122 | 17 | 7 | 403 | 22 | 17 | 104 | 17 | 104 |
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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