Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 11s period, WNW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 11s period, WNW swell with 286 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 12s 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 12s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Back Strands in the next 16 days are 1.1m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 2s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s happening with Back Strands. We’ve got a bit of a flat spell to get through, but there’s a solid run of surf coming in the second week that’s worth keeping an eye on.
Right now, we’re starting on Sunday the 23rd with almost nothing. Just a tiny 1ft glassy wave on offer, but it’s weak and not really worth paddling out for. The water’s sitting at 62°, which is a touch warmer than average for this time of year.
Monday the 24th is where things perk up a little. The morning is a bit ordinary with a cross-off breeze, but by the afternoon we get some glassy conditions and a clean 4ft swell from the west with 10 seconds of period. That’s a decent little window – the swell energy is moderate (270), and it’s clean. Not a standout, but a nice session if you’re keen.
Then we hit a dry spell. From Tuesday the 25th right through to Thursday the 5th of September, it’s mostly poor. Winds get strong and are often onshore or cross-onshore, and the swell drops right down to tiny mush. There’s a brief glimmer of clean conditions on Wednesday the 27th afternoon with offshore wind and 2ft, but it’s just not enough to get excited about. The first week is pretty much a write-off.
Now, the real action starts on Saturday the 5th of September. That morning we’ve got a moderate offshore breeze and a 5ft west swell with 10 seconds of period, clean waves and strong energy (392) – that’s a very solid session. But the standout is that afternoon: glassy conditions, an 8ft west swell, and a 10-second period. The combined energy is massive at 1418. It’s going to be big. This is expert territory – too big for beginners – but for anyone with experience, this is the pick of the whole 16-day window. The direction is west, which is spot-on for what Back Strands likes.
Sunday the 6th keeps the good times rolling with an 12ft WNW groundswell and 11-second period. The energy is enormous (2756 in the morning, 2546 in the afternoon). This is a very long-period groundswell, which means it’ll have plenty of punch and long gaps between sets. It’s going to be peeling nicely at this reef setup. Winds are light and clean – offshore in the afternoon. Again, this is only for experienced surfers. The crowd factor here is listed as ‘sometimes’, so you might have some company, but with that size, plenty will be sitting it out.
Monday the 7th sees the swell back down to 6ft in the morning with a moderate offshore, clean and powerful (756 energy). Still a great day, but easing off. The afternoon drops to 4ft and is more marginal.
So, to sum it up: don’t bother with the first week and a bit. The absolute best is Saturday the 5th of September afternoon and Sunday the 6th of September – big, clean, powerful west and WNW swells. These are the standouts. Mark your calendar.
Stay safe out there.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Fri afternoon). 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 | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 10 | WNW 9 | W 9 | WNW 8 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | WNW 6 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 6 | W 11 | W 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
254 | 270 | 206 | 118 | 56 | 21 | 10 | 10 | 67 | 66 | 40 | 22 | 83 | 71 | 42 | 35 | 53 | 46 | 18 | 20 | 29 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:19AM2.41m | 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 | |||||||
6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | 8:45 | — | — | 8:43 | — | — | 8:40 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:36 | — | — | 8:34 | — | — | 8:30 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 1 | — | — | — | 3 | 9 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
Temp °C | 17 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 15 | 19 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 10 | WNW 9 | W 9 | WNW 8 | — | — | — | NNW 8 | — | W 13 | NW 6 | NW 6 | W 10 |
254 | 270 | 206 | 118 | 56 | 21 | 10 | 10 | 67 | 66 | 40 | 22 | — | — | — | 7 | — | 3 | 18 | 8 | 29 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | NW 8 | NW 8 | W 11 | NW 7 | N 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 12 | W 11 | NW 8 |
— | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 20 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | NNW 8 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 7 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | ESE 2 | — | — | E 3 | — | — | — | — | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | WNW 6 | NW 7 | NW 8 | — | — | NW 5 |
— | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 15 | 83 | 71 | 42 | 35 | 53 | 46 | — | — | 11 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 12 | 36 | 77 | 32 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 32 | 268 | 416 | 36 | 27 | 7 | 7 | 27 | 48 | 88 |
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.











