Back Strands Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at the outlook for Back Strands over the next couple of weeks.

Well, it’s gonna be a bit of a mixed bag here at Back Strands. We’ve got some decent pulses of swell on the cards, but the wind is gonna be a real pain for a lot of it. The first proper window of surfable conditions doesn't actually roll around until Sunday the 20th, so if you’re itching for a paddle before that, you might be out of luck.

The early part of the week is messy. Tuesday afternoon the 15th sees a 5ft swell from the west, but it’s gonna be blown out with a fresh 18.6 mph onshore wind. Wednesday the 16th is much the same, with a 5.6ft west swell but cross-onshore winds making it choppy. Thursday the 17th is a write-off. We’re looking at a big, raw 10ft to 13ft west-northwest swell but it’s coming in with near gale-force cross-onshore winds. That’s not surfable, that’s a survival mission. If you’re into kiting, that setup might be more your speed.

Friday the 18th is marginal at best. An 8.2ft to 7.5ft west-northwest swell is there but the wind is still too strong and onshore for good waves. Saturday the 19th? Same story. Clean conditions aren't really on the menu yet.

Alright, here’s where it gets interesting. Sunday morning the 20th is the first standout. We finally get a break. A gentle offshore breeze from the SSE will be grooming a 6.9ft west-northwest groundswell (12-second period) into clean lines. There’s some good push there. It’s a reef break, and with that longer period, the waves should wrap in with some proper shape. The water temp is sitting at a touch warmer than average for this time of year, around 60°, so it’s not too bad. You’ll have to watch for crowds though – this spot can get them sometimes.

Monday the 21st will clean up a bit more. Still some good 5ft to 4.6ft west swell with clean conditions and light breezes.

Now, the absolute best window of the whole run looks like Tuesday the 22nd. Tuesday morning is already glassy with a 3.9ft west swell. But Tuesday afternoon is where it’s at. The wind drops to dead calm, glassy conditions, and a 6ft west swell rolls in with a very long 15-second period. That’s a proper groundswell. It’s got plenty of grunt. For a reef, that’s going to deliver some nice, clean, powerful walls. This one is for experienced surfers, as the report suggests. If you can get out there, this is the session to aim for.

Wednesday the 23rd holds clean too, with a gentle offshore from the SE and a 5ft 12-second west swell. Still good.

After that, it starts to get sloppy again. Thursday the 24th brings back the onshore winds, and another big but messy swell. From Friday the 25th through the rest of the run, the swell drops back to small 2.6ft to 3.3ft and the wind turns onshore again, offering nothing but poor conditions.

So, in a nutshell: The first week is a write-off wind-wise. Standouts are definitely Sunday the 20th morning for the first clean run, and Tuesday the 22nd afternoon is the one to circle on your calendar for the best chance of a quality, glassy session. It’s a reef, so that long period groundswell should produce some gems. Keep an eye on the forecast, but that Tuesday window looks promising.

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