Back Strands Surf Break

Lat Long: 54.45° N 8.49° W

Back Strands Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 am 10 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Back Strands sea temperature is
16.2°C
2.0° 

Back Strands surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Back Strands surf forecast from 10 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 11s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 12s period, W swell with 1,146 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 11s 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 13) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. 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 2.1m 12s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) 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 1.0m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 12) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Sun 13th Sep)3.5ft (1.1m) 11s
Best Surf10AM (Sun 13th Sep)3.5ft (1.1m) 11s
Most Powerful10AM (Sat 12th Sep)7ft (2.1m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s break it down. Rusty here, and I’ve been lookin’ hard at Back Strands. This stretch is gonna be a bit of a rollercoaster, with plenty of wind muckin’ things up, but there’s a couple of windows that’ll get your heart racing.

We start on September 10th, but the first few days are pretty rough. Thursday the 10th has a 2ft west swell with an 8-second period and combined energy of only 73 – that’s weak. A moderate breeze from the south gives us cross-offshore wind, but the surf conditions are poor. Friday the 11th gets a little better: a 4ft west swell, still short at 8 seconds, combined energy 245 – still not great. By Friday afternoon, we get a 4ft swell from the west-northwest at 9 seconds, a gentle breeze from the south keeps it clean, but it’s only marginal.

Saturday the 12th we see a jump: a 7ft west swell at 12 seconds in the morning, combined energy spikes to 1146, but the wind is moderate cross-onshore from the west-southwest with light rain – it’s poor, choppy. Not your day. Sunday the 13th looks better: a 4ft west-northwest swell at 11 seconds in the morning, combined energy 293, and a gentle south-southwest breeze gives us cross-offshore wind. Clean conditions, and the forecast says “expect good surf conditions.” That’s the first real highlight, but at 4ft, it’s fun-sized, not a monster.

Then we hit a gap. Monday the 14th through most of the following week is a mix of onshore winds, rain, and poor surf. The 15th and 16th have solid 6ft to 7ft swells, but with northwesterly winds blowin’ onshore, combined energy up to 784, it’s all messy. A long gap of nearly no good options until Thursday the 17th.

On September 17th, Thursday morning, we get a standout: a 5ft west swell at 11 seconds, combined energy 663, and – this is key – a light breeze from the south-southeast gives us clean offshore wind. The forecast says “expect good surf conditions.” This is the best call in the whole run. Clean, offshore, decent size, solid groundswell. Back Strands is a reef break that’s fairly consistent and fairly exposed, so it’ll hold that west swell. The water temp is average for this time of year, no wild swings. Get on it if you can.

After that, things get shaky again. Friday the 18th has a 4ft west-northwest swell, but it’s marginal. Then Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th see a push in size – Sunday the 20th morning has an 8ft west-northwest swell at a long 14-second period, combined energy 2362 – that’s strong energy. The wind is a moderate breeze from the south-southwest, cross-off, keeping it clean. Score is a 3 out of 10, marginal – and at 8ft on a reef, that’s expert territory. It’s a big, long-period groundswell, so it’ll wrap in clean, but you’ll want to know the reef. Crowds are possible – the spot can get busy on a pulse.

From the 21st onward, we’ve got more onshore winds and chop. September 23rd sees another spike: Wednesday afternoon, an 8ft west swell at a very long 16 seconds, combined energy 3563 – massive, powerful, very long-period groundswell. But the wind is a gentle cross-onshore, making it fairly choppy, and the forecast is marginal. This one’s for the experts only. Then the 24th and 25th throw 10ft swells at us, but with strong cross-onshore and onshore winds hittin’ 28 mph, it’s blown out, messy. Even the big energy (3669) won’t save it.

So, to wrap it: the best window for a solid, clean surf is Thursday morning, September 17th. That 5ft west swell with offshore light breeze is your pick. For the brave, the 20th and 23rd offer serious size and long-period power, but it’s expert territory with potential crowds. Otherwise, there are long gaps – like from the 14th to the 17th – where you’re better off waitin’ for a change. The pattern tends to shift, so keep an eye out. Stay stoked, and paddle hard.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSE on Wed night, light winds from the NW by Sat morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 29mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
W
8
1.3
WSW
12
1.3
W
10
1.3
W
8
1.3
WNW
9
1.6
WNW
13
2.1
W
12
1.7
WNW
12
1.3
WNW
12
1.1
WNW
11
1
WNW
10
0.7
WNW
9
0.7
W
9
1.2
W
11
1.3
W
10
1.8
WNW
10
2.1
WNW
10
1.8
WNW
10
1.5
WNW
10
1.1
WNW
10
1
W
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
63
462
340
245
283
915
1146
791
454
260
186
73
78
350
365
707
784
666
424
235
176
Wind (km/h)
25
S
35
SW
30
WNW
20
WSW
15
S
35
S
25
WSW
15
NW
15
WNW
15
SSW
15
S
20
S
20
S
20
SSW
15
SSW
30
NW
20
NW
30
NNW
20
NW
25
WNW
15
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
on
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
on
on
on
on
on
cross
High Tide
5:57AM3.22m
6:09PM3.85m
6:36AM3.37m
6:48PM3.94m
7:12AM3.45m
7:25PM3.90m
7:47AM3.46m
8:00PM3.74m
8:20AM3.39m
8:34PM3.49m
8:53AM3.26m
9:08PM3.19m
9:26AM3.07m
9:44PM2.87m
Low Tide
11:47AM0.23m
00:25AM-0.05m
12:26PM0.09m
1:01AM-0.11m
1:03PM0.03m
1:34AM-0.07m
1:39PM0.07m
2:06AM0.07m
2:15PM0.19m
2:37AM0.27m
2:50PM0.39m
3:07AM0.52m
3:27PM0.65m
3:40AM0.79m
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
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part cloud
heavy rain
light rain
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
clear
light rain
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:56
6:58
7:00
7:01
7:03
7:05
7:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:04
8:00
7:59
7:55
7:53
7:51
7:49
 mm
1
1
1
13
3
3
23
2
1
Temp °C
16
16
14
15
17
17
16
14
14
14
15
16
19
19
17
14
15
13
13
13
12
Feels °C
11
10
10
11
14
12
13
11
11
11
12
14
17
18
15
9
12
7
9
8
8
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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