Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 25 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 10s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 10s period, WNW swell with 472 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 10s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Back Strands in the next 16 days are 1.6m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break down the Back Strands outlook in feet and miles.
We’re looking at a long stretch of poor conditions early on. From Wednesday morning the 19th through Sunday the 23rd, it’s mostly onshore winds and small, messy surf. Combined energy readings run from 14 up to 552 (moderate energy at best on that Wednesday morning, but with terrible conditions). The water is a touch warmer than usual at 62°F, about 3°F above normal, so that’s comfortable, but the waves are not.
The first real window opens on Monday the 24th. That’s the standout. The morning brings a clean 4ft swell from the west-northwest with a period of 11 seconds, combined energy 270 (moderate). The wind is light and offshore from the southeast, so the surface will be smooth. The afternoon keeps it going with a 4ft swell from the same direction, period 10 seconds, energy 324 (still moderate). The wind shifts to light and cross-off from the south, still clean. This is a reef break that’s fairly consistent and exposed to the west, and the swell direction matches the optimum from the west. The offshore wind is a big plus. This is the session to hit.
After Monday, it drops off fast. Tuesday the 25th starts with a clean 3ft west swell, period 10 seconds, energy 130 (moderate), but it’s small. By the afternoon, it’s glassy with a tiny 2ft west swell, period 9 seconds, energy 46 (weak). Pretty marginal.
From Wednesday the 26th onward, it’s mostly onshore winds, lumpy conditions, and surf that rarely gets above 4ft. Even the few clean moments, like the 2ft swells at the end of August with cross-off winds, are too small to care about. Combined energy readings are mostly in the double digits to low 100s, so weak to low-moderate energy.
So, to sum it up: Monday the 24th is your one and only good day. The rest of the 16-day window is a long stretch of nothing much. The reef can handle swell, but without the right wind, it’s just not worth it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Wed morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Thu morning, light winds from the NW by Fri night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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 10 | W 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 9 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 5 | NW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 552 | 480 | 391 | 173 | 85 | 92 | 88 | 45 | 24 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 20 | 21 | 36 | 260 | 250 | 279 | 154 | 76 | 47 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | glassy | off | glassy | cross-off | off | glassy | off |
High Tide | 10:51AM2.76m | 11:11PM2.67m | 11:41AM2.56m | 00:08AM2.39m | 12:52PM2.41m | 1:34AM2.22m | 2:28PM2.40m | 3:12AM2.25m | 3:50PM2.56m | 4:19AM2.41m | 4:44PM2.80m | 5:04AM2.60m | 5:23PM3.06m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:48PM0.95m | 5:14AM1.05m | 5:46PM1.21m | 6:15AM1.27m | 7:18PM1.37m | 7:50AM1.36m | 9:06PM1.34m | 9:21AM1.26m | 10:15PM1.16m | 10:19AM1.06m | 11:01PM0.94m | 11:00AM0.83m | 11:37PM0.71m | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — |
 | — | 8:57 | — | — | 8:54 | — | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:50 | — | — | 8:47 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:43 | — |
mm | 5 | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 10 | 11 | 13 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 9 | WNW 8 | — | W 8 | WNW 7 | W 8 | W 9 | W 10 | WNW 9 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 |
| kJ | — | — | 391 | 157 | 85 | 92 | — | 10 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 15 | 21 | 36 | 260 | 250 | 279 | 154 | 76 | 47 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | — | W 10 | W 7 | — | WNW 8 | NW 10 | — | — | — | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | 1 | — | 12 | 25 | — | — | — | 12 | 20 | 8 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | — | — | W 9 | — | — | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — | W 14 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | — | NNW 8 | NNW 4 | N 4 | NW 8 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 5 | NW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — | — | — | S 2 | — | S 3 | S 3 | S 3 |
| kJ | 552 | 480 | — | 173 | 35 | 8 | 88 | 45 | 24 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 20 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 5 | 2 | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 127 | 145 | 209 | 396 | 270 | 313 | 313 | 313 | 178 | 178 | 313 | 36 | 51 | 127 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
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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