Back Strands Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here with the outlook for Back Strands. It’s a reef setup that’s fairly exposed to the swell, and we’ve got a westerly direction as the sweet spot. Water temps are sitting at 62°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year.

Right, looking at the next couple of weeks, I’ve got to be straight with you—it’s a long, bleak run for any decent surf here. The first real chance of anything surfable doesn’t pop up until Friday the 11th, and even then it’s a struggle. From now until then, we’re looking at a solid gap of nearly a week with nothing worth paddling out for. The swell is there, sure, but the wind is just relentless.

Monday the 7th sees a cross-shore breeze and swell building to 6ft, but the combined energy is moderate (539), and the wind is just ruining it. By Tuesday the 8th, the swell gets big—up to 10ft on the afternoon with strong energy (1724)—but it’s onshore and messy, strictly for experts only, and honestly, it looks more like a kitesurfing day than a surf day with those winds. Wednesday the 9th eases off to 5ft, but it’s still cross-onshore and only marginal.

The first glimmer of hope comes on Friday the 11th afternoon. The swell drops to 4ft from the west with an 8-second period, but the wind goes glassy. That’s the standout moment in this whole forecast. The energy is weak (174), but with glassy conditions, you might snag a few clean little waves. It’s surfable but very ordinary, and since the spot can get crowded sometimes, you’ll want to be out there early for a peak.

Saturday the 12th is a write-off—a near gale and a 5ft swell with a long 13-second period that will be too straight for the beach break anyway, more suited to a point or reef, but the wind kills it. Sunday the 13th has a cleaner cross-off breeze with 5ft to 6ft swell and moderate energy (555–879), but it’s still only marginal. That long 12-second period could give some shape, but the quality isn’t there.

After that, it’s more of the same mess until Sunday the 20th. That afternoon finally shows some promise: a gentle offshore breeze from the southeast, 3ft swell from the west with an 11-second period, and combined energy of 193. It’s not big, but that offshore wind will clean it right up. Still, it’s only surfable in a very ordinary way.

Honestly, the pick of the entire 16-day window is Friday afternoon the 11th. Glassy conditions, even on a small 4ft west swell, are hard to beat for a fun session. Sunday the 20th afternoon is a distant second with that offshore wind.

Stay patient, the forecasts can change, but right now it’s a waiting game. Rusty out.

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