Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 3 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 11s period, W swell with 639 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 1.7m 11s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Righto, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Back Strands over the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, it’s a pretty grim run for a while. The first week or so is mostly small, weak, and messy – not much to get excited about. The water’s sitting at about 62°F, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year, so that’s one small win for the rubber.
We kick off on Thursday 27 August with a tiny 2ft W swell, but the wind’s a bit all over the shop and the energy is weak (60). That’s a pass. Friday and Saturday are even smaller – we’re talking knee-high dribble with next to no push. Sunday 30 August sees a tiny pulse, but it’s still not worth paddling out for.
By Monday 31 August, we get a spike to 5ft from the W, but the period is a short 6 seconds and the wind is cross-onshore, so it’s just choppy and disappointing. Moderate energy (146), but messy.
Tuesday 1 September pumps up to 5ft again, but with a fresh cross-onshore – lumpy and rubbish. The energy’s moderate (238) but you’d be fighting the wind the whole time.
Wednesday 2 September cleans up a bit with a SSE cross-off, but the swell drops to 2ft – too small to care.
Now, the one standout in this whole outlook is Friday 4 September. That morning, we’ve got a solid 10ft W swell with a nice 12-second period – proper groundswell. The wind is light and cross-off from the SW, so it’ll be clean. The combined energy is strong (2468). This is for experienced surfers only – 10ft is too big for beginners. The long period means it might break a bit straight at a beach break, but Back Strands is a reef, so that actually helps. This is the best on offer by a long shot. Get on it if you’ve got the skills.
Saturday 5 September still has some leftover size – 6ft in the morning and 5ft in the afternoon, both from the W with a 10-second period. Morning is clean with a cross-off, afternoon goes glassy. Moderate energy (682 and 450). A solid option for the weekend crew.
After that, it’s back to small and windy from Sunday 6 September onward. Winds pick up strong, and the swell fades. The rest of the week and into the following week is poor – the energy drops off and the wind turns nasty, with gale force gusts by Monday 7 September. Not worth it.
So, to sum it up: the whole 16-day window is pretty flat and forgettable, except for Friday 4 September morning – that’s the real gem. Get in the water early, because the afternoon looks a bit suspect. After that, it’s a long dry spell again.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Warm (max 21°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun afternoon, strong winds from the W by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | W 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | NNW 6 | NW 7 | W 10 | WSW 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 6 | W 6 | W 9 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
60 | 40 | 22 | 11 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 12 | 7 | 30 | 41 | 24 | 146 | 66 | 220 | 238 | 137 | 82 | 42 | 27 | 73 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | on | cross-off | cross-on | on | glassy | off | glassy | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | off | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:28PM3.50m | 6:45AM3.12m | 6:58PM3.64m | 7:16AM3.23m | 7:29PM3.71m | 7:48AM3.29m | 8:00PM3.70m | 8:21AM3.29m | 8:33PM3.60m | 8:55AM3.23m | 9:10PM3.42m | 9:34AM3.12m | 9:51PM3.18m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:06PM0.43m | 00:40AM0.32m | 12:37PM0.29m | 1:09AM0.18m | 1:08PM0.20m | 1:39AM0.11m | 1:40PM0.18m | 2:10AM0.10m | 2:13PM0.22m | 2:42AM0.18m | 2:49PM0.33m | 3:17AM0.33m | 3:29PM0.50m | 3:57AM0.55m | |||||||
6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
— | 8:37 | — | — | 8:36 | — | — | 8:34 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:25 | — | — | 8:23 | — | |
mm | — | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | 5 | — | — | 1 | 4 | 2 | — | 2 | 6 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 6 |
Temp °C | 19 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 18 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | NNW 6 | W 7 | WNW 3 | WSW 10 | W 9 | W 9 | — | W 10 | — | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 9 |
60 | 40 | 22 | 11 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 30 | 41 | 24 | — | 45 | — | 238 | 137 | 82 | 42 | 27 | 73 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NW 5 | — | NW 4 | W 7 | W 10 | W 10 | NW 6 | NNW 7 | W 11 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 |
— | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | NW 6 | — | — | NNW 7 | NW 8 | — | NW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 4 | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NW 2 | — | — | NW 7 | — | — | — | — | W 6 | W 6 | W 9 | — | NNW 6 | — | S 2 | S 3 | S 4 |
— | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 12 | — | — | — | — | 146 | 66 | 220 | — | 7 | — | 1 | 5 | 28 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 10 | 7 | 156 | 270 | 267 | 406 | 268 | 234 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 117 | 265 | 53 | 424 | 422 | 1240 | 22 | 7 | 80 | 419 |
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.











