Back Strands Surf Break

Lat Long: 54.45° N 8.49° W

Back Strands Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 am 21 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Back Strands sea temperature is
17.6° C
3.0° 

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 21 Jul 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Monday 27 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 10s period, WNW swell with 904 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 2.2m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) at 1AM. 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 1AM (Mon 27th Jul)7ft (2.2m) 10s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s break down what’s happening at Back Strands over the next couple of weeks.

Gotta be straight with you – the first week is a total write-off. Tiny, weak waves and onshore wind making a mess of everything. The water’s about normal for this time of year, nothing special.

The swell does start to show a bit of life around Friday, July 24th, but the wind is still cross-onshore and choppy. The energy picks up to moderate (132), but it’s just not clean. That carries right through the weekend, with the swell hitting 6 ft on Saturday the 25th and the energy getting strong (517). The wind is howling though, making it lumpy cross-chop. Honestly, that’s kite-surfing weather, not a good paddle session.

The one bright spot comes on Friday, July 31st. The swell settles at 3 ft from the west, with a period of 11 seconds – a nice groundswell. The wind swings offshore from the SE, cleaning it right up. The combined energy is moderate (247). This is your best chance. It’s a reef break, so that long-period swell will wrap in and give you some good lines. The break is fairly consistent, but crowds are possible, so get there early.

The morning of Saturday, August 1st, still has a bit of clean swell with light offshore wind, but it’s fading to 2 ft. After that, it’s back to tiny, weak waves and poor conditions for the rest of the run.

The clear standout is Friday, July 31st. Offshore wind, 3 ft of west swell, and a reef break. It’s not huge, but it’ll be the most fun you’ll have in this dry spell.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Thu night, fresh winds from the WSW by Sat morning).

Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
AM
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
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
W
10
0.6
NNW
6
0.3
W
9
0.3
W
9
0.4
NW
7
0.4
NW
6
0.3
NW
6
0.3
W
8
0.4
NW
6
0.9
WNW
9
1
WNW
8
1.2
W
8
1.7
WNW
9
1.6
WNW
10
1.5
WNW
10
1.6
WNW
10
1.8
WNW
10
2.2
WNW
10
1.8
WNW
10
1.6
WNW
10
1.7
WNW
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
30
22
15
15
15
10
6
12
11
132
144
181
517
463
399
481
640
904
663
520
586
Wind (km/h)
20
N
20
NNW
20
N
15
NNW
20
NNW
10
NNW
10
W
15
W
15
WSW
20
WSW
25
W
30
WSW
35
WSW
35
W
25
NW
20
WNW
25
W
35
WNW
20
WSW
30
W
25
W
Wind State
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
11:47AM2.65m
00:05AM2.82m
12:44PM2.54m
1:06AM2.57m
1:52PM2.49m
2:18AM2.43m
3:06PM2.53m
3:33AM2.43m
4:11PM2.65m
4:34AM2.52m
5:02PM2.83m
5:21AM2.66m
5:44PM3.03m
Low Tide
5:31AM0.76m
5:37PM0.97m
6:24AM0.96m
6:44PM1.16m
7:27AM1.11m
8:06PM1.25m
8:38AM1.15m
9:25PM1.21m
9:43AM1.09m
10:27PM1.08m
10:36AM0.96m
11:14PM0.92m
11:19AM0.79m
11:55PM0.76m
cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:26
5:26
5:28
5:31
5:31
5:33
5:35
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
9:52
9:51
9:50
9:47
9:46
9:45
9:44
 mm
4
4
4
1
1
1
Temp °C
13
13
12
14
16
15
14
15
14
16
16
15
15
15
14
15
14
14
14
15
15
Feels °C
9
10
9
13
14
13
14
13
13
13
12
10
10
10
9
11
10
9
11
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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