Back Strands Surf Break

Lat Long: 54.45° N 8.49° W

Back Strands Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 pm 24 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Back Strands sea temperature is
16.4°C
1.6° 

Back Strands surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Back Strands surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period, W swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, WNW swell with 950 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 10s 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 3.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) 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 0.7m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Mon 24th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 10s
Best Surf 4PM (Mon 24th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 10s
Most Powerful 7PM (Mon 31st Aug)10ft (3.0m) 8s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here, let’s have a look at this stretch of coast over the coming weeks.

To be honest, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. The surf is small to start, and we have a long run of days where conditions are just ordinary. The first real window to get keen on is Monday, the 24th of August. The water’s sitting at 62°, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year—nothing extreme, just a little bonus.

Monday morning at Back Strands will see a clean 3ft swell rolling in from the west-northwest, with light cross-offshore winds. It’s not huge, but the wave energy is moderate (254), and it’s surfable. Then Monday afternoon is the real standout of the near-term. The wind drops to glassy, the swell ticks up slightly to 4ft from the west, and you’re getting those clean, lined-up waves with a moderate 10-second period. That afternoon session is the pick of the first week.

From Tuesday the 25th, things go downhill. Swell drops, wind picks up, and we’re looking at poor conditions straight through to the end of the month. There’s a long gap with no real recommendations—about 8 days of small, messy, or onshore slop. The 30th of August offers a tiny glimmer with a clean 2ft wave, but it’s barely worth wetting a wetsuit.

Moving into September, the swell starts to build again. Wednesday the 2nd sees a 4ft west swell, but the wind is cross-onshore and choppy, so it’s not great for surfing. The 3rd of September has a 5ft swell with a 10-second period and clean conditions, but the wind is howling—19 mph in the morning and a near gale of 34 mph in the afternoon. That’s more of a kite day than a paddle day, especially at a reef setup like Back Strands.

Now, the best prospect of the whole outlook is Saturday the 5th of September. We get a solid 7ft swell from the west-southwest, with a long 12-second period and clean conditions in the morning. The combined energy is strong (1532). This is proper groundswell, and it’s going to be powerful. For a reef break like Back Strands, that long period should wrap in nicely and give some great shape. However, it’s over 5ft, so beginners should think twice—this one’s for the experienced crew. The crowds can be a factor here sometimes, so get in early.

Sunday the 6th and early the following week bring big swells but onshore or onshore winds, and the 7th sees a massive 12ft west-northwest swell with a 17-second period. That is very long-period groundswell, and the energy is through the roof (6720). But with strong onshore winds, it’s going to be wild and messy—definitely experts only, and even then, it might be a battle.

So, to sum it up: your best bet is Monday afternoon the 24th for clean, glassy fun waves. The standout is Saturday morning the 5th of September for a proper, powerful session if you’ve got the skills. The rest is a waiting game.

Stay frothy,
Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
WNW
11
1.1
W
10
1
W
10
0.8
W
10
0.6
W
9
0.4
W
8
0.3
W
8
0.3
W
7
0.6
W
10
0.6
W
9
0.5
W
9
0.4
WNW
8
0.9
NW
6
0.8
WNW
6
0.7
WNW
6
0.5
NW
6
0.4
NW
6
0.3
NW
6
0.6
W
9
0.6
W
9
1.2
WNW
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
254
270
206
118
56
21
10
10
68
60
40
22
66
52
35
19
11
6
55
56
222
Wind (km/h)
10
ESE
5
SSE
15
ESE
20
ESE
20
ESE
10
ESE
20
E
15
ENE
15
ENE
10
ENE
10
N
10
NNE
15
NW
15
WNW
10
WSW
10
ESE
10
SE
20
WSW
20
SE
20
S
15
W
Wind State
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
on
cross-on
cross
off
off
cross
off
cross-off
cross-on
High Tide
4:44PM2.80m
5:04AM2.60m
5:23PM3.06m
5:41AM2.80m
5:57PM3.30m
6:13AM2.97m
6:28PM3.50m
6:45AM3.12m
6:58PM3.64m
7:16AM3.23m
7:29PM3.71m
7:48AM3.29m
8:00PM3.70m
Low Tide
10:19AM1.06m
11:01PM0.94m
11:00AM0.83m
11:37PM0.71m
11:35AM0.61m
00:09AM0.50m
12:06PM0.43m
00:40AM0.32m
12:37PM0.29m
1:09AM0.18m
1:08PM0.20m
1:39AM0.11m
1:40PM0.18m
2:10AM0.10m
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
mod rain
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
light rain
rain showers
light rain
thunderstorm
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:24
6:26
6:28
6:31
6:31
6:33
6:35
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:45
8:43
8:40
8:37
8:36
8:34
8:30
 mm
7
2
2
1
2
2
1
2
3
2
2
Temp °C
17
20
18
19
19
16
15
17
16
18
19
17
15
15
15
14
15
14
14
17
14
Feels °C
15
19
15
15
15
13
13
15
15
18
19
16
13
13
14
12
14
12
11
14
13
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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