Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 5 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 7 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 10s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 5 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s period, WNW swell with 634 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 7 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 10s 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 Friday (Aug 07) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 10s period. 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 2.2m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 08) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Fri 7th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Fri 7th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – this forecast for Back Strands is a tough one to write. We’re looking at a 16-day window that’s mostly a dud, with a few fleeting moments that might get your hopes up.
The overall pattern is dominated by onshore winds and poor surf conditions for the vast majority of the period. The water temperature is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year at 61°, which is a bit of a novelty. The first real suggestion of anything surfable doesn't come until August 10th, and even that's a stretch.
For the first week, from August 4th through the 9th, it’s a write-off. Strong onshore winds, rain, and messy, weak swells. The combined energy is low, mostly under 100, with a brief spike on the 5th (634) but ruined by a 28 mph onshore wind. You’d be a glutton for punishment to even look at the water.
Then comes Monday, August 10th. This is your one true standout. The morning is clear, with a glassy surface and a light NW breeze. The swell is a tiny 4 ft from the WNW, but the combined energy is a modest 177. The conditions are described as "glassy", which is a rare treat. For a 5/5 rated reef break that’s fairly consistent, this is a window of opportunity for the patient surfer. The offshore wind direction is SE, which is clean. It’s a small, clean day, but it’s the best on offer. Crowds are possible at this spot.
After that, it’s back to the doldrums. The second week is barren. From August 11th through to the 19th, we’re looking at a long stretch of tiny, weak swells and poor conditions. The swell almost never gets above 3 ft, and the combined energy mostly stays in the double digits. There is a bump on August 14th afternoon (8 ft, 835 combined energy) and August 15th (8 ft, 1088 combined energy), but the wind is onshore or cross-onshore, making it a messy, choppy mess. The 8 ft is too big for beginners, and with the poor wind, it’s only for the most dedicated experts. The 15th has a "gentle cross-onshore and fairly choppy" description, which is not inviting.
Bottom line: if you’ve got a flexible schedule, that Monday morning, August 10th, is your only real shot. The rest of the 16 days is a long, painful gap of nothing to get excited about.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WNW on Tue night, light winds from the W by Thu morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NW 8 | WNW 5 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | W 5 | W 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 11 | 67 | 634 | 339 | 126 | 38 | 24 | 24 | 118 | 473 | 322 | 194 | 219 | 200 | 367 | 352 | 281 | 167 | 67 | 28 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:18PM3.21m | 10:49AM2.80m | 11:06PM3.01m | 11:45AM2.69m | 00:08AM2.80m | 12:58PM2.63m | 1:30AM2.67m | 2:23PM2.69m | 3:01AM2.68m | 3:43PM2.92m | 4:18AM2.84m | 4:48PM3.24m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:31AM0.58m | 4:39PM0.80m | 5:21AM0.75m | 5:39PM0.97m | 6:27AM0.90m | 7:03PM1.08m | 7:52AM0.97m | 8:42PM1.01m | 9:16AM0.88m | 10:04PM0.77m | 10:22AM0.67m | 11:06PM0.47m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  |  | | |  |  | |  | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — |
 | — | 9:29 | — | — | 9:27 | — | — | 9:24 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:21 | — | — | 9:19 | — | — | 9:16 |
mm | — | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | — | — | 3 | 5 | 2 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 14 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | — | — | — | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 10 | NW 8 | NW 8 |
| kJ | 11 | — | — | — | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 118 | 473 | 322 | 194 | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 67 | 28 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | W 7 |
| kJ | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 40 | 15 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 |
| kJ | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 3 | WNW 5 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | W 5 | SW 4 | — | SSW 2 | SSW 4 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | 67 | 634 | 339 | 126 | 38 | 24 | 24 | 6 | — | 1 | 10 | 219 | 200 | 367 | 352 | 281 | 167 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 403 | 247 | 486 | 513 | 652 | 434 | 415 | 48 | 53 | 53 | 0 | 27 | 10 | 53 | 53 | 53 | 53 | 0 | 243 | 7 |
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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