Back Strands Surf Break

Lat Long: 54.45° N 8.49° W

Back Strands Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 pm 16 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Back Strands sea temperature is
17.1° C
2.7° 

Back Strands surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Back Strands surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 11s period, W swell with 37 kJ wave energy.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Back Strands this week:

The most powerful waves expected at Back Strands in the next 16 days are 0.4m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful 4AM (Mon 20th Jul)1.5ft (0.4m) 11s

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


The Lowdown

Alright crew, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s cookin’ at Back Strands for the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, it’s a tough start. From Thursday the 16th right through to Wednesday the 23rd of July, it’s pretty much a write-off. We’re talkin’ ankle-snappers and dribble, with swell heights under 2 feet and onshore or cross-onshore breezes choppin’ up the surface. The combined energy is weak, just in the teens and thirties. Not much to get excited about.

Things start to look a little more interesting around Thursday the 24th of July. We’ll see the swell bump up to around 4 to 4 feet from the WNW, but the wind stays a moderate cross-onshore, so it’ll be lumpy and messy. The energy jumps into the 200s, so there’s some grunt, but it’s not gonna be clean.

The one window that’s got my attention, the real standout, is Monday the 27th of July afternoon. That’s the call. We’ve got a solid 5-foot swell from the WNW with a very long 12-second period, and the wind swings offshore from the NW at around 9 mph. The combined energy is a solid 589 – that’s proper groundswell power. For a reef break like this, that long period should mean some nice, lined-up waves. It’s a bit on the big side, so this is for the experienced crew; beginners might want to sit this one out.

Tuesday morning the 28th of July is a decent backup, with a 4-foot WNW swell, 10-second period, and light south winds keeping things clean.

Water temp is about 63°F, which is nearly 5°F warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s a big deal, so you’ll be comfortable in a spring suit.

Hang in there, and I’ll be out there on the 27th.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Thu
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
W
10
0.3
W
9
0.3
W
8
0.6
NNW
6
0.4
WNW
8
0.5
NW
5
0.4
NW
7
0.6
NW
7
0.4
NW
7
0.4
NW
7
0.3
W
11
0.4
W
10
0.4
W
10
0.4
W
10
0.4
W
10
0.3
W
9
0.4
NW
7
0.3
W
9
0.3
W
9
0.2
W
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
8
13
12
21
23
12
18
28
16
16
21
35
35
31
30
15
15
15
14
6
Wind (km/h)
15
NW
10
N
15
NNW
20
NNW
15
NNW
15
NNW
25
NNW
10
NNE
10
NNW
20
NW
10
NNW
20
NNW
20
NNW
15
NNW
15
NNW
15
NW
15
NNW
15
NW
20
NNW
10
NW
Wind State
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
on
on
on
on
on
High Tide
8:14PM3.97m
8:40AM3.22m
8:59PM3.91m
9:25AM3.10m
9:43PM3.72m
10:10AM2.95m
10:28PM3.45m
10:57AM2.80m
11:14PM3.14m
11:47AM2.65m
00:05AM2.82m
12:44PM2.54m
1:06AM2.57m
Low Tide
2:30AM0.00m
2:27PM0.15m
3:15AM0.12m
3:10PM0.28m
4:00AM0.30m
3:55PM0.49m
4:45AM0.52m
4:43PM0.73m
5:31AM0.76m
5:37PM0.97m
6:24AM0.96m
6:44PM1.16m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:20
5:20
5:22
5:24
5:26
5:26
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
9:59
9:58
9:57
9:55
9:53
9:52
9:51
 mm
Temp °C
23
20
16
17
14
14
15
13
16
16
14
14
14
13
14
14
14
15
15
14
Feels °C
21
19
13
13
11
10
11
11
12
12
12
11
11
11
12
11
12
12
11
12
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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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