Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 13s period, W swell with 4,796 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s 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 Tuesday (Sep 01) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 9s 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 4.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) 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 0.7m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let me tell you what we’ve got at Back Strands.
To be straight with you, the next couple of weeks look pretty grim for this reef. We’ve got a long stretch of poor surf ahead, with a real gap in quality that’s going to test your patience. From Saturday the 29th of August right through to the 6th of September, it’s mostly small, weak, and messy. The water’s a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 62°F, and about 3°F above average, so it’s not a shock to the system, but it’s not going to make up for the waves.
The first real flicker of hope comes on Monday the 7th of September. Monday morning is the standout, and it’s the only time I’d bother paddling out. You’ve got a 5ft swell from the west, with a moderate combined energy of 417 (moderate), and the wind is glassy – light from the SSW at just 3 mph. That’s going to give you clean, smooth conditions. The swell period is 9 seconds, so it’s not a long-period groundswell, but with the glassy wind, it’ll be your best chance. The break is a reef, fairly exposed to the west, and it’s fairly consistent, so you won’t be waiting forever. Crowds are possible, but with the quality that low, you might have it more to yourself.
After that, it’s back to the same old story – windy, choppy, and cross-onshore for the rest of the outlook. The 8th of September sees a 5ft swell from the WNW, but it’s onshore and messy. The 9th to the 13th is just a write-off, with tiny surf and strong winds, including near gale-force on the 11th. Not worth even looking at.
So, bottom line: if you’re keen, make it Monday morning, the 7th of September. It’s the only real window in a long, flat spell. Otherwise, the next fortnight is a miss.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat morning, fresh winds from the NW by Sun night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SE on Tue night, strong winds from the WSW by Thu morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | |||||||||||||||
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 7 | NNW 7 | W 9 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 7 | W 10 | WSW 6 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 7 | W 12 | W 13 | W 12 | W 12 | W 12 | WNW 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 4 | 5 | 2 | 33 | 63 | 39 | 136 | 47 | 77 | 334 | 311 | 177 | 64 | 127 | 319 | 3181 | 3583 | 2377 | 4340 | 4236 | 1374 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 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 | 10:19AM2.95m | 10:42PM2.89m | 11:18AM2.76m | 11:53PM2.61m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 4:17PM0.73m | 4:47AM0.81m | 5:22PM0.97m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  |  |  | | | | | | |  |  | |  | | | |  | |
 | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — |
 | — | 8:34 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:25 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:19 | — |
mm | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | 21 |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 18 |
Feels °C | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 7 | NNW 7 | NW 7 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | N 6 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | NW 8 | NW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | 5 | 2 | 33 | 63 | 39 | 31 | 47 | 25 | 1 | 311 | 177 | 64 | 3 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | W 7 | W 9 | W 8 | NW 6 | W 11 | — | NW 7 | NNW 7 | — | — | N 9 | NNW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 4 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 10 | — | 24 | 5 | — | — | 2 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | W 10 | W 6 | NW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | NW 4 | WNW 7 | W 6 | WSW 6 | W 8 | — | — | S 3 | WSW 8 | WSW 7 | W 12 | W 13 | W 12 | W 12 | W 12 | WNW 11 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | 136 | 31 | 77 | 334 | — | — | 5 | 127 | 319 | 3181 | 3583 | 2377 | 4340 | 4236 | 1374 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 77 | 127 | 184 | 7 | 7 | 247 | 452 | 53 | 27 | 268 | 53 | 0 | 27 | 424 | 454 | 615 | 727 | 727 | 536 | 260 | 0 |
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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