Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 8 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 10s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 7 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 10s period, WNW swell with 523 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 8 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 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 Saturday (Aug 08) at 1AM. 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 1.6m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 07) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Friday (Aug 07) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Sat 8th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Sat 8th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Fri 7th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the next couple of weeks.
We’ve got a bit of a flat spell to start, no lie. The first few days are gonna be a struggle, with tiny dribbles and poor conditions. Saturday the 8th actually cleans up with some light offshore winds, but the swell is only around 3 ft to 4 ft from the west, with a period of 9 seconds. It’s clean, but small. The energy is moderate, clocking in at 246 on Saturday morning. It’s a start, but not a standout.
The real talking point is the pulse that builds in the second week. Swell starts to ramp up around Wednesday the 19th, with a 5 ft west-northwest swell on the morning. But it’s messy with a moderate cross-onshore. The wave energy is moderate (266). The real kicker comes Thursday the 20th of August. That morning, we see a 6 ft swell from the west-northwest, with a period of 11 seconds. That’s a solid groundswell, lads. The combined energy hits 944, which is strong. But here’s the catch – the wind is howling from the west at 16 mph, cross-onshore, making it choppy. This is a powerful swell, but it’s not going to be a clean, classic day. For the experienced crew, it’s worth a look, but the wind is a real buzzkill. The afternoon stays similar, with 6 ft and 19 mph winds, still lumpy.
So, the standout for the whole outlook? Honestly, I gotta give it to the early-morning window on Saturday the 8th. It’s the only time we see a clean, rideable wave (4 ft, west, 9 seconds) with a gentle cross-offshore breeze (S 12 mph) and moderate energy (246). It’s not huge, but it’s the only real window of quality before the bigger, wind-affected stuff comes through. The rest of the time, it’s either flat, choppy, or blown out.
If you’re a beginner, stay away from that Thursday the 20th – 6 ft is getting too big for you, especially with that onshore wind messing things up. For the hardcore, it’s a powerful wave but you’ll be battling the wind.
Water temp at Back Strands is 61°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. Feels nice.
No major standouts to get too amped about, but that Saturday the 8th is your best bet for a clean, fun session. Keep an eye on the forecast, though – things can change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 24°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | ||||||||||||||
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 5 | W 5 | WNW 8 | WNW 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | W 11 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 14 | 24 | 151 | 523 | 441 | 246 | 199 | 165 | 158 | 190 | 90 | 65 | 45 | 26 | 15 | 8 | 52 | 31 | 17 | 202 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | on | glassy | cross | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 00:08AM2.80m | 12:58PM2.63m | 1:30AM2.67m | 2:23PM2.69m | 3:01AM2.68m | 3:43PM2.92m | 4:18AM2.84m | 4:48PM3.24m | 5:19AM3.04m | 5:41PM3.57m | 6:10AM3.21m | 6:28PM3.84m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 11:16AM0.43m | 11:58PM0.19m | 12:02PM0.22m | 00:44AM-0.01m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | |  | | |
 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — |
 | — | 9:24 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:21 | — | — | 9:19 | — | — | 9:16 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:13 |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 24 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 20 |
Feels °C | 12 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | W 11 |
| kJ | 7 | 7 | 151 | 523 | 441 | 246 | 199 | 165 | 158 | 190 | 90 | 65 | 45 | 26 | 15 | 8 | 52 | 31 | 17 | 202 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | N 7 | W 5 | — |
| kJ | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17 | 14 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 6 | 2 | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | W 5 | SW 4 | — | — | S 4 | SSW 4 | — | SW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 2 | — | S 2 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 14 | 24 | 11 | — | — | 9 | 8 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 281 | 48 | 260 | 143 | 0 | 61 | 53 | 7 | 10 | 27 | 33 | 7 | 17 | 7 | 7 | 36 | 7 | 7 | 32 | 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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