Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 2 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 10s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 12s period, W swell with 4,293 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 10s period with W 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 Saturday (Sep 05) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 10s 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 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 10AM. 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 06) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 12s |
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 coming at Back Strands for the next couple of weeks. Honestly, the first week is mostly a dud. Starting Wednesday the 2nd through Monday the 7th, it’s rough—gusty winds and messy surf dominate. The worst hits Friday the 4th: an 12ft W swell with near-gale cross-onshore wind, totally blown out. Tuesday the 8th brings a 13ft W swell and strong cross-onshore wind, more fit for kites than paddles.
We get a clean moment Saturday the 5th morning: a 5ft W swell, gentle cross-offshore SSW wind at 9 mph, clean and surfable. Energy is moderate (551), with a 10-second period. The water’s a touch warmer than normal at 62°, pretty average for the season. Crowds can show up sometimes at this reef, but it’s the best slot in the first week.
Sunday the 13th morning also looks promising: a 4ft W swell, clean cross-offshore wind at 9 mph, moderate energy (395–495). But that’s a week and a half out, so keep it on the radar but don’t book a trip yet.
The big standout is Saturday the 5th morning—tidy waves, clean wind, and the only real opportunity in a long stretch of poor conditions. The rest of the window is small, windy, or oversized. For a fairly consistent reef, this is a lean spell. But forecasts can flip. Keep an eye on that Saturday.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSE on Wed morning, strong winds from the WSW by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Mon morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 9°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Sat morning, near gales from the W by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | W 7 | W 5 | W 7 | WSW 9 | W 11 | W 12 | W 12 | W 12 | W 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 10 | W 6 | W 8 | W 10 | W 11 | W 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 57 | 40 | 70 | 61 | 270 | 990 | 4042 | 2973 | 1342 | 551 | 276 | 101 | 50 | 66 | 106 | 383 | 865 | 2138 | 4293 | 3459 | 3136 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 9:51PM3.18m | 10:19AM2.95m | 10:42PM2.89m | 11:18AM2.76m | 11:53PM2.61m | 12:40PM2.65m | 1:30AM2.47m | 2:18PM2.72m | 3:09AM2.55m | 3:39PM3.00m | 4:20AM2.77m | 4:39PM3.34m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 3:29PM0.50m | 3:57AM0.55m | 4:17PM0.73m | 4:47AM0.81m | 5:22PM0.97m | 5:58AM1.05m | 7:02PM1.11m | 7:40AM1.13m | 8:53PM0.99m | 9:13AM0.98m | 10:09PM0.69m | 10:16AM0.72m | 11:03PM0.38m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  |  | |  |  |  | | |  | | | | |  | | | | | |
 | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — |
 | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:08 | — |
mm | 5 | — | 1 | — | 8 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 9 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Temp °C | 16 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 |
Feels °C | 15 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 7 | NNW 11 | W 7 | NW 10 | N 10 | — | — | — | W 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 57 | 40 | 11 | 61 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | 551 | 276 | 101 | 50 | 66 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 9 | — | NNW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 3 | — | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 2 | SW 3 | W 5 | SW 3 | WSW 9 | W 11 | W 12 | W 12 | W 12 | — | S 3 | S 3 | S 4 | S 4 | W 6 | W 8 | W 10 | W 11 | W 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 |
| kJ | 1 | 2 | 70 | 3 | 270 | 990 | 4042 | 2973 | 1342 | — | 2 | 5 | 14 | 10 | 106 | 383 | 865 | 2138 | 4293 | 3459 | 3136 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 53 | 53 | 53 | 114 | 268 | 727 | 292 | 265 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 267 | 27 | 51 | 415 | 396 | 442 | 1063 | 1015 | 292 |
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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