Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period, WNW swell with 3,626 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s 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 Tuesday (Sep 01) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 8s 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 3.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) 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 0.9m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s have a look at what’s lined up for Back Strands over the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, I’ve got to be straight with you – the first week-and-a-bit is a write-off for decent surf. We’re looking at tiny, weak waves and winds that are almost always onshore or cross-onshore, making a mess of things. You’ll see a few days where the swell bumps up, but the wind is just too strong and from the wrong direction to give us anything clean. The water temp is sitting at 62°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you won’t need a thick steamer, but you’ll be waiting for a wave.
The first real glimmer of hope arrives on Saturday, 5th September. The morning shapes up with a 6 ft swell from the WNW, and the wind swinging offshore from the SE at 6 mph. That’s a clean setup, and the combined energy is strong at 808. This is a proper window where the reef could show some good lines. The swell period is a long 11 seconds, which gives it some push, but at a beach break that long period can make the waves a bit too straight. For a reef like Back Strands, that’s the sweet spot – expect longer, more powerful sets. The waves will be in the head-high to overhead range, so it’s not for the faint-hearted.
After that, it gets messy again. The wind cranks back up from the WSW on Sunday, 6th September, and the swell drops off. There’s a big spike of energy on Monday, 8th September, with a 10 ft swell from the WNW, but the wind is howling onshore at 25 mph. That’s a massive, dangerous mess – only for the absolute experts, and even then it’s going to be a washing machine. The combined energy hits 2517, which is enormous, but with that wind, it’s more of a kite-surfing day than a paddle session.
The rest of the outlook into the second week is small and uninspiring. A few clean, offshore mornings with tiny 1 ft to 2 ft swell, but the energy is very weak. You’ll get a glassy surface, but not enough push to ride.
The standout is undoubtedly the morning of Saturday, 5th September. Head to Back Strands for a decent, powerful groundswell with clean offshore wind. Expect some quality sets and a solid session, but be aware that the crowds might show up as it’s often busy there. The rest of the period is a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat night, fresh winds from the WNW by Sun night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Tue morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue afternoon, strong winds from the W by Thu morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | ||||||||||||||
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 7 | WNW 7 | W 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 6 | W 10 | W 6 | W 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | SW 4 | W 8 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 11 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 18 | 63 | 38 | 95 | 188 | 116 | 153 | 101 | 81 | 42 | 47 | 283 | 632 | 792 | 818 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | glassy | cross | cross-on | glassy | off | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | on | on | off | off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:58PM3.64m | 7:16AM3.23m | 7:29PM3.71m | 7:48AM3.29m | 8:00PM3.70m | 8:21AM3.29m | 8:33PM3.60m | 8:55AM3.23m | 9:10PM3.42m | 9:34AM3.12m | 9:51PM3.18m | 10:19AM2.95m | 10:42PM2.89m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:09AM0.18m | 1:08PM0.20m | 1:39AM0.11m | 1:40PM0.18m | 2:10AM0.10m | 2:13PM0.22m | 2:42AM0.18m | 2:49PM0.33m | 3:17AM0.33m | 3:29PM0.50m | 3:57AM0.55m | 4:17PM0.73m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  |  |  | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — |
 | 8:36 | — | — | 8:34 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:25 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:21 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 17 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 15 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | — | NW 6 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 11 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 18 | 63 | 38 | — | 6 | 25 | 153 | 101 | 81 | 42 | 8 | 8 | — | — | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 9 | W 8 | NW 6 | W 11 | — | — | NW 6 | — | — | NNW 10 | NW 10 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 5 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 11 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 10 | W 6 | NW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | WNW 6 | W 10 | W 6 | — | — | — | SSE 3 | SW 4 | W 8 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 95 | 188 | 116 | — | — | — | 12 | 47 | 283 | 632 | 792 | 818 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 439 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 184 | 7 | 7 | 189 | 396 | 53 | 27 | 504 | 268 | 0 | 7 | 513 | 292 | 1188 | 727 | 292 |
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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