Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 11 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 11s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 12s period, W swell with 1,556 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 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 Wednesday (Sep 09) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. 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 2.3m 12s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Wed 9th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Fri 11th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Sat 12th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let's get into it. We're looking at a solid 16-day window for our local wave, and it's a bit of a waiting game. Most of the period is made up of swell that's either too small, too messy, or on the wrong wind. But there are a couple of sessions that stand out as proper sessions. The combined energy early on is strong to very strong, coming in at over 1100 (1108), but with strong onshore winds it's a write-off for paddle surfing - that setup is more interesting for kite surfing.
The first real bright spot that comes into view is Tuesday morning the 15th. We've got a clean 5ft swell from the west, period around 10 seconds, and a light offshore wind. The combined energy is moderate at 422, and conditions look clean. It's not huge, but it's a proper window with good shape potential. Tuesday afternoon the 15th sees a slight drop to 5ft, but the wind goes gentle offshore, remaining clean. This is the pick of the first week.
Then we hit a lull. Things go quiet and small until Friday morning the 18th, which is the standout of the whole outlook. Friday morning the 18th we get a solid 7ft swell from the west, with a period of 11 seconds and combined energy over 1000 (1048). The wind is a gentle cross-offshore, keeping it clean. This is a proper long-period groundswell, so at a reef break like Back Strands it should really set up well and offer some nice lines. That 7ft is getting into expert territory, so it's not for the learners.
Later in the window, Wednesday morning the 23rd is another fantastic call. The swell is a clean 5ft from the west with a very long period of 14 seconds and combined energy of 704. But the real kicker is the wind: glassy. Zero wind. That is a major positive - you're getting a long-period groundswell with a mirror-flat surface. That's about as good as it gets for a clean, lined-up wave at a reef. The water temp is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year at 61°. Wednesday afternoon the 23rd gets a gentle offshore breeze, still clean, with the swell dropping slightly to 4ft.
For the second week, keep an eye on those two dates: Friday the 18th and Wednesday the 23rd. Those are your best bets. The other days have swell but the wind or the size isn't cooperating. This is a spot that can be inconsistent, but when it lines up, it's worth the wait.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NW on Tue afternoon, light winds from the WNW by Tue night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WSW 10 | W 10 | W 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 13 | W 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 11 | W 10 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1108 | 615 | 213 | 119 | 75 | 69 | 385 | 290 | 239 | 232 | 946 | 1556 | 1019 | 530 | 260 | 173 | 86 | 86 | 329 | 563 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:39PM3.34m | 5:13AM3.02m | 5:27PM3.64m | 5:57AM3.22m | 6:09PM3.85m | 6:36AM3.37m | 6:48PM3.94m | 7:12AM3.45m | 7:25PM3.90m | 7:47AM3.46m | 8:00PM3.74m | 8:20AM3.39m | 8:34PM3.49m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:03PM0.38m | 11:05AM0.45m | 11:47PM0.12m | 11:47AM0.23m | 00:25AM-0.05m | 12:26PM0.09m | 1:01AM-0.11m | 1:03PM0.03m | 1:34AM-0.07m | 1:39PM0.07m | 2:06AM0.07m | 2:15PM0.19m | 2:37AM0.27m | |||||||
 |  | |  |  | | | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — |
 | 8:08 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:53 | — |
mm | 1 | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 6 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | — | — | — | WNW 9 | WNW 13 | — | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 11 | NW 12 |
| kJ | — | — | 213 | 119 | 75 | 69 | — | — | — | 232 | 946 | — | 1019 | 530 | 260 | 173 | 86 | 86 | 329 | 6 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 13 | W 12 | W 11 | — | — | — | WNW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 13 | NW 12 | NW 12 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 4 | 11 | 21 | — | — | — | 77 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 6 | 6 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 13 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | — | — | S 3 | SSW 4 | WSW 10 | W 10 | W 8 | — | S 3 | W 12 | — | — | — | — | S 3 | SSW 3 | — | W 10 |
| kJ | 1108 | 615 | — | — | 5 | 31 | 385 | 290 | 239 | — | 4 | 1556 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | — | 563 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 727 | 569 | 27 | 53 | 27 | 61 | 512 | 265 | 269 | 23 | 61 | 129 | 53 | 53 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 12 | 53 | 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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