Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 20 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 12s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, WNW swell with 6,002 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 20 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 12s 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 20) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 12s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Back Strands in the next 16 days are 3.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Sun 20th Sep) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Sun 20th Sep) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks. Rusty here. Let's break down what's cooking at Back Strands for the next couple of weeks. It's a reef spot that needs a good West swell to show its teeth, and we've got the size coming, but the wind is the real story here.
Honestly, the first part of the week is a write-off for paddle surfing. From Tuesday the 15th through Saturday the 19th, we've got strong onshore winds and rain making a mess of things. With that kind of wind and solid swell, it's looking way more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer.
The one session to mark on your calendar, the clear standout, is Sunday the 20th of September. Finally, the wind plays ball, swinging around to a light SE offshore breeze. That’s going to groom that 1.8m WNW swell into something special. The water is sitting at 60°, which is a touch warmer than average for this time of year. The combined energy of all swells is a solid 992 (moderate), and with a long 12-second period, it's a proper groundswell. This reef break is going to love that long period, giving you some nice, clean lines. Just be aware the crowds can show up here.
Before that, Monday the 14th of September has a tiny window. A weak 0.7m W swell with a light SSE offshore. It's small, with weak energy (78), but it's clean. It's a beginner-friendly wave on a log, nothing to get excited about.
Looking further down the track, Monday the 22nd of September morning has a light SE offshore again, but the swell drops back to a weak 0.9m. Very ordinary. Thursday the 24th of September morning looks promising – a clean 1.7m WNW groundswell with a light S offshore, and energy of 791 (moderate). That's a solid backup plan. Then, closing out the window, Tuesday the 29th of September shows a clean 1.1m W groundswell with a very long 14-second period and a light SE offshore all day. The energy sits at 489 (moderate). That's a fine way to finish the forecast if you can be patient.
So, don't bother this week. Wait for that Sunday the 20th, or keep an eye on the 24th and 29th.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSE on Mon morning, strong winds from the W by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Thu afternoon, calm by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | W 11 | W 10 | W 8 | W 9 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 10 | WNW 14 | WNW 14 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | W 11 | W 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 69 | 188 | 400 | 643 | 395 | 1302 | 672 | 377 | 482 | 1257 | 4420 | 4178 | 2028 | 1108 | 776 | 608 | 763 | 1054 | 992 | 980 | 727 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | glassy | off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:34PM3.49m | 8:53AM3.26m | 9:08PM3.19m | 9:26AM3.07m | 9:44PM2.87m | 10:03AM2.85m | 10:23PM2.55m | 10:49AM2.61m | 11:18PM2.28m | 12:00PM2.41m | 00:50AM2.11m | 1:47PM2.37m | 2:42AM2.15m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:15PM0.19m | 2:37AM0.27m | 2:50PM0.39m | 3:07AM0.52m | 3:27PM0.65m | 3:40AM0.79m | 4:07PM0.93m | 4:17AM1.07m | 5:00PM1.22m | 5:11AM1.31m | 6:32PM1.42m | 6:54AM1.45m | 8:43PM1.39m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | |  | | | | |  | | | |  | | | | |  | |
 | 7:03 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — |
 | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:38 | — |
mm | 1 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 3 | — | — | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | 4 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 18 | 19 | 17 |
Feels °C | 14 | 15 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 11 | NW 12 | — | NW 11 | — | WNW 11 | W 10 | — | — | — | — | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | W 11 | — | WNW 11 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 |
| kJ | 69 | 188 | 6 | — | 5 | — | 672 | 377 | — | — | — | — | 2028 | 1108 | 776 | — | 763 | 1054 | 992 | 980 | 727 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 13 | NW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 6 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 3 | S 3 | W 10 | W 8 | W 9 | WNW 12 | — | — | W 9 | W 10 | WNW 14 | WNW 14 | — | SSW 4 | — | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | 3 | 400 | 643 | 395 | 1302 | — | — | 482 | 1257 | 4420 | 4178 | — | 20 | — | 608 | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 10 | 53 | 502 | 727 | 400 | 203 | 127 | 415 | 456 | 727 | 265 | 27 | 265 | 127 | 27 | 116 | 0 | 0 | 53 | 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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