Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 20 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, WNW swell with 6,019 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s period with WNW 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 (Sep 14) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s. 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 4.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Monday (Sep 14) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Sun 20th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, I’m Rusty, and I’ve been looking hard at what’s coming our way.
We’re starting off quiet with no real surf on the cards. The first chance to paddle out comes Sunday, September 13th. It’s not going to be epic, but there’s something to ride. For the first several days, the wind is a problem, making most of the waves messy. We do have a big surge of energy lined up for the second week, but we’ve got to sit through some rough stuff first.
The one to really keep an eye on is the afternoon of Sunday, September 20th. Back Strands will be seeing a big 10ft swell from the WNW with a very long period of 14 seconds. The combined energy is massive at (3213). The wind is a light cross-onshore breeze, so it’ll have a few bumps on it, but it’s not howling. This is a day for experts only – that’s a lot of power, and with that long period, the sets will be heavy. It’s a reef break, so it should handle the size well, but don’t go out there if you’re not confident.
Before that, the morning of Friday, September 18th is a solid option. The swell is a more manageable 7ft from the WNW with a 12-second period. The energy is still strong at (1200). The wind turns light cross-offshore from the S, which will clean up the face nicely. It’s good for strong intermediate surfers and above. The water is sitting around 60°F, which is a touch warmer than usual for the season.
The first week has a lot of wind-affected, poor-quality surf. On September 17th, we see 10ft to 11ft swells with strong cross-onshore winds. That’s more interesting for kite surfing than paddling.
After that big Sunday, the surf fades. The last week of the period has cleaner winds, with some offshore breezes, but the swell drops off. By September 25th, we’re down to knee-high waves. The final days have clean conditions but hardly any energy to work with.
So here’s the call: the real standout is the afternoon of Sunday, September 20th for the big, powerful stuff. For something cleaner and smaller, the morning of Friday, September 18th is your pick. After that, it goes flat and quiet.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSE on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the W by Mon night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Wed night. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Thu morning, light winds from the SW by Fri night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 10 | WNW 13 | WNW 14 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 13 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 137 | 71 | 51 | 188 | 212 | 464 | 361 | 1251 | 672 | 377 | 542 | 1569 | 4576 | 4966 | 2402 | 1200 | 629 | 449 | 499 | 1946 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:00PM3.74m | 8:20AM3.39m | 8:34PM3.49m | 8:53AM3.26m | 9:08PM3.19m | 9:26AM3.07m | 9:44PM2.87m | 10:03AM2.85m | 10:23PM2.55m | 10:49AM2.61m | 11:18PM2.28m | 12:00PM2.41m | 00:50AM2.11m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:06AM0.07m | 2:15PM0.19m | 2:37AM0.27m | 2:50PM0.39m | 3:07AM0.52m | 3:27PM0.65m | 3:40AM0.79m | 4:07PM0.93m | 4:17AM1.07m | 5:00PM1.22m | 5:11AM1.31m | 6:32PM1.42m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — |
 | 7:55 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:40 | — |
mm | — | — | 3 | 8 | 3 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | — | 6 | 2 | — | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 17 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 11 | W 10 | NW 11 | NW 11 | — | WNW 11 | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 12 | W 11 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 137 | 71 | 51 | 188 | 212 | 5 | 5 | — | 672 | 377 | — | — | — | — | — | 1200 | 629 | — | — | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 9 | NW 13 | NW 13 | NW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 49 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 2 | SSW 3 | S 4 | W 5 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 12 | — | — | W 9 | W 10 | WNW 13 | WNW 14 | WNW 13 | — | — | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 13 |
| kJ | — | 1 | 3 | 9 | 21 | 464 | 361 | 1251 | — | — | 542 | 1569 | 4576 | 4966 | 2402 | — | — | 449 | 499 | 1946 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 27 | 13 | 53 | 727 | 512 | 437 | 203 | 53 | 415 | 456 | 514 | 727 | 265 | 13 | 53 | 561 | 268 | 51 |
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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