Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, W swell with 2,621 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s 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 Sunday (Aug 16) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 7s. 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 3.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 2s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let's break it down in feet and miles.
Rusty here again.
Right up front, I’ve got to tell you, the next week and a half is mostly a dud at Back Strands. We’re looking at a big gap with basically nothing worth surfing until very late in the forecast. The first real chance doesn’t come until Sunday, August 23rd.
From now through Saturday, August 22nd, the surf is either too small, too choppy, or blown flat. That WNW swell we’ve got coming in just isn’t matching up with the wind. There’s a spike in size around Wednesday the 19th with waves around 8ft and combined energy hitting (1154), but a 35 km/h cross-shore wind ruins it – lumpy, bumpy, ugly. More of a kite day than a surfing day. That energy keeps up Thursday with about 7ft and (990) energy, but again the wind kills it.
Then we hit Sunday the 23rd of August. After a long stretch of tiny, clean waves, we get a beautiful Sunday afternoon. A 5ft groundswell from the west with a long 11-second period rolls in. The combined energy hits (606), and the wind goes absolutely glassy – dead calm. That’s the best you can hope for. Water temp is about normal for this time of year.
The good times keep rolling into Tuesday the 25th of August. Another glassy day with a solid 5ft swell from the west, still holding that 11-second period, and energy around (596). Both the morning and afternoon look great. Two standout sessions in a row.
Then on Friday the 28th of August, the morning goes glassy again. The swell holds at about 5ft from the WNW with a 9-second period and energy of (471). Clean. Just remember, the wind swings onshore in the afternoon, so get out early.
If I’m picking one standout, it’s Sunday the 23rd of August afternoon at Back Strands. A clean 5ft west swell with glassy wind and that long period – those waves are going to have some push. My second pick is Tuesday the 25th of August – both the morning and afternoon look clean.
This spot is fairly consistent, but it doesn’t always line up perfectly. This time, the last week of August is where the magic is. Don’t bother before that.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Wed night. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon night, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Wed night, light winds from the NW by Thu afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 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) | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 7 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 8 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | W 11 | W 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 83 | 83 | 54 | 37 | 44 | 112 | 105 | 52 | 155 | 224 | 325 | 720 | 1154 | 1736 | 2323 | 990 | 465 | 160 | 87 | 78 | 41 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:16AM3.35m | 8:31PM3.91m | 8:54AM3.26m | 9:09PM3.67m | 9:31AM3.13m | 9:47PM3.35m | 10:09AM2.95m | 10:27PM3.01m | 10:51AM2.76m | 11:11PM2.67m | 11:41AM2.56m | 00:08AM2.39m | 12:52PM2.41m | 1:34AM2.22m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:04PM0.06m | 2:43AM0.05m | 2:43PM0.20m | 3:18AM0.25m | 3:22PM0.41m | 3:54AM0.51m | 4:02PM0.67m | 4:31AM0.78m | 4:48PM0.95m | 5:14AM1.05m | 5:46PM1.21m | 6:15AM1.27m | 7:18PM1.37m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | |  | | | |  | |  | | |  |  | | |  | |
 | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:06 | — | — | 9:04 | — | — | 9:01 | — | 8:59 | — | — | 8:57 | — | — | 8:54 | — | — | 8:52 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 1 | — | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 12 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 7 | W 10 | W 8 | W 7 | — | — | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | — | WNW 7 |
| kJ | 83 | 83 | 54 | 37 | 44 | 18 | 105 | 52 | — | — | 325 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 160 | 87 | — | 41 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NW 8 | NW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 9 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSW 2 | SSW 3 | W 8 | — | — | W 7 | W 8 | — | W 10 | W 10 | W 11 | W 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | — | — | WNW 7 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 112 | — | — | 155 | 224 | — | 720 | 1154 | 1736 | 2323 | 990 | 465 | — | — | 78 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 53 | 704 | 27 | 7 | 12 | 27 | 0 | 12 | 268 | 283 | 265 | 145 | 145 | 512 | 145 | 203 | 442 | 203 | 17 | 189 | 149 |
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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