Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 20 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 12s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 15s period, WNW swell with 6,140 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 20 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 12s 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 Sunday (Sep 20) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 12s period. 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 15s 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 0.7m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 20) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Sun 20th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Sun 20th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s happening at Back Strands over the next couple weeks.
The first few days are a real struggle. From Tuesday the 15th through Saturday the 19th, the wind is howling onshore or cross-onshore most of the time, making a mess of things. The swell does jump up to a chunky 3.0m on Thursday the 17th, with the combined energy at 1853, but with that strong onshore wind, it’s just blown apart. The water temp is about normal for this time of year.
There’s a small window on Friday morning the 18th. The wind swings cross-offshore from the SSW, and the swell is still a solid 2.5m from the WNW with 13-second period and energy at 2190. Conditions are clean, but it’s marginal and definitely one for the experienced crowd. At that size and period, it’ll be powerful.
Then we hit a lull. Sunday the 20th and Monday the 21st offer clean, smaller surf in the 1.5m to 2.0m range, but nothing that really fires you up.
The one to get excited about is Wednesday the 23rd. The morning is the pick: a clean 2.5m swell from the west, but actually wrapping from the WNW with a 13-second period. The combined energy is pumping at 2376. The wind is a gentle offshore from the ESE, so you’re looking at clean, lined-up waves. The report says excellent conditions for experienced surfers. This is a proper groundswell that should work a treat on this reef, offering some solid, critical waves. Just keep in mind that 2.5m is expert territory. Crowds are “sometimes,” so there might be a few others out.
After that, the surf winds down. Thursday the 24th and Friday the 25th have some clean but much smaller options, and by Saturday the 26th you’re looking at tiny 0.9m waves with weak energy (148). The final days around the 29th and 30th show a little bump of 1.0m to 1.2m, but it’s nothing special.
Bottom line: the first week is mostly a washout, but Wednesday the 23rd is the standout. If you can handle the size, that’s your day.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Wed night. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon night, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the W on Wed morning, strong winds from the W by Thu morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Thu night, light winds from the S by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 6 | W 9 | WNW 12 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 10 | WNW 13 | WNW 14 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 11 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 302 | 388 | 1054 | 657 | 434 | 554 | 1853 | 4776 | 4369 | 2190 | 1108 | 778 | 510 | 509 | 1005 | 1293 | 1164 | 827 | 555 | 441 | 367 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 1:47PM2.37m | 2:42AM2.15m | 3:16PM2.54m | 3:52AM2.34m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 6:54AM1.45m | 8:43PM1.39m | 8:47AM1.35m | 9:52PM1.17m | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  | | | | | | | |  |  |  | | |  | | | | |
 | 7:05 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — |
 | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:36 | — |
mm | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 8 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 11 | — | W 11 | W 10 | — | — | — | — | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | W 11 | W 10 | — | W 11 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 |
| kJ | — | 5 | — | 657 | 434 | — | — | — | — | 2190 | 1108 | 778 | 510 | — | 1005 | 1293 | 1164 | 827 | 555 | 441 | 367 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 9 | WNW 12 | — | — | W 9 | W 10 | WNW 13 | WNW 14 | — | S 3 | — | — | W 10 | — | — | — | — | SSW 3 | SSW 3 | — |
| kJ | 302 | 388 | 1054 | — | — | 554 | 1853 | 4776 | 4369 | — | 6 | — | — | 509 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 512 | 727 | 400 | 203 | 145 | 453 | 456 | 727 | 396 | 127 | 27 | 53 | 265 | 265 | 22 | 10 | 53 | 3 | 0 | 53 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Sligo | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Ireland | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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