Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 11 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 14s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 12s period, W swell with 1,990 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s 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 Wednesday (Sep 09) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. 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 2.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore 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 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Wed 9th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Fri 11th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it, because this stretch is looking like a bit of a mixed bag.
The window kicks off on Tuesday the 8th of September, but don’t get your hopes up for that day. We’ve got a solid 8ft to 8ft swell from the WNW with a 10-second period, but it’s coming in with a strong onshore breeze and rain. That’s a write-off. Wednesday the 9th and Thursday the 10th drop right off, with smaller, messy swell and cross-shore winds. Not worth paddling out.
Friday the 11th sees a bit of size come back, with 5ft to 5ft from the WNW, but it’s still cross-onshore and choppy. Saturday the 12th is where things get interesting. We’ve got a good 7ft to 8ft groundswell from the west with a 12-second period. The combined energy is strong, reading 1378 and 1463. The issue is the wind is cross-shore and lumpy, and it’s described as marginal. It’s got power, but you’ll have to work for it.
Now, the standout is Sunday the 13th. Sunday morning is the pick of the entire forecast. We’ve got 4ft of WNW swell with an 11-second period, combined energy of 308, and the wind is glassy – that’s right, glassy. It’s going to be clean as a whistle. This is a reef break, so that longer-period swell will really line up. Water temp is 61°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. A solid window of quality waves. Sunday afternoon drops off a bit, but that morning session is worth setting the alarm for.
From Monday the 14th, things get ordinary again. The swell hangs around the 4ft to 5ft mark, but the wind keeps switching, mostly cross-off or cross-on, and the quality drops. There’s a bit of size again on Saturday the 19th, but it’s small and weak, with combined energy down to 41-131. Not much to get excited about.
Further out, on Wednesday the 23rd of September, we see a big spike in energy. A 8ft to 7ft WNW groundswell with a very long 15 to 14-second period rolls in. The combined energy is massive at 2351 and 1851. But it’s coming with a moderate cross-onshore wind and described as marginal. This is a lot of power, over 8ft, so only for the experienced crew. And with that long period, it’s going to be better on a point or reef, which Back Strands is, so there’s potential. But it’s far out and uncertain.
Honestly, if you’re looking for the best session in the next 16 days, make it Sunday morning the 13th. Glassy, clean, fun-sized swell. That’s the one.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WNW on Tue morning, light winds from the S by Wed afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Fri night, calm by Sun morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | |||||||||||||||
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 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WSW 10 | W 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 13 | W 12 | W 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 11 | W 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1351 | 1108 | 678 | 213 | 119 | 58 | 61 | 339 | 151 | 290 | 418 | 1057 | 1378 | 1463 | 671 | 308 | 173 | 103 | 198 | 517 | 524 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 4:39PM3.34m | 5:13AM3.02m | 5:27PM3.64m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:16AM0.72m | 11:03PM0.38m | 11:05AM0.45m | 11:47PM0.12m | 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 | |||||||
 | |  |  |  |  | | | | |  |  |  | |  | | |  | | |  | |
 | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — |
 | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:53 | — |
mm | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 13 |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 6 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | — | — | — | WNW 9 | WNW 13 | — | — | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 11 | W 11 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 213 | 119 | 58 | 61 | — | — | — | 418 | 1057 | — | — | 671 | 308 | 173 | 103 | 198 | 517 | 524 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | W 13 | W 12 | W 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 11 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 4 | 11 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | — | — | S 3 | S 4 | WSW 10 | W 6 | WNW 8 | — | S 3 | W 12 | W 12 | — | — | — | S 3 | S 3 | — | — |
| kJ | 1351 | 1108 | 678 | — | — | 5 | 28 | 339 | 151 | 290 | — | 4 | 1378 | 1463 | — | — | — | 5 | 6 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 434 | 727 | 727 | 36 | 22 | 27 | 51 | 512 | 282 | 265 | 53 | 61 | 265 | 53 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 14 | 27 | 265 |
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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