Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period, WNW swell with 2,528 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 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 Saturday (Sep 12) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 12s 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 2.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) 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 Saturday (Sep 19) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
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 cooking at Back Strands over the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, so we’re gonna take it day by day.
The opening stretch is a write-off. Saturday the 12th is a total mess – strong cross-shore winds on a 7 ft cross swell, making it lumpy and poor. Sunday the 13th offers a small glimmer with a 4 ft swell out of the WNW and light offshore SE winds, giving us clean waves. The energy is low though, so it’s small and weak. A light breeze and clean conditions make it a nice session for a longboard or a beginner, but it's nothing special.
Monday the 14th and Tuesday the 15th are poor again, with onshore winds and chop. Wednesday the 16th has a 6 ft WNW swell, but it’s cross-onshore and choppy, so no bueno. Thursday the 17th sees the swell bump up to 8 ft from the WNW, but again, those cross-onshore winds wreck it. Friday the 18th is marginal at best.
The first real standout pops up on Sunday the 22nd. It’s marginal, but the morning has a clean 6 ft WNW swell under a fresh cross-offshore SSW wind. It’s not perfect, but it’s workable for a surf if you're keen.
The true highlight is Wednesday the 23rd of September. This is the one to circle. We’ve got a 7 ft swell coming in from the WNW with a very long 14-second period. The morning is glassy with a light east offshore breeze, and the afternoon holds up with a 7 ft swell from due west, 13-second period, and light SSE cross-offshore winds. Both sessions are excellent for experienced surfers. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual. That long-period groundswell will be powerful, but on a reef break like Back Strands, the shape should be good. Expect some strong sets; this is not one for beginners.
After that, Thursday the 24th and Friday the 25th drop off in size. Friday the 25th is still worth a look with a 4 ft swell and moderate offshore winds from the SSE, keeping things clean. Saturday the 27th has a massive 15 ft swell from the west with 12-second period – that’s a big, raw ocean only for the most experienced, if at all.
In short, the best bet in this stretch is hands-down Wednesday the 23rd – clean, solid, powerful groundswell and light winds. Sunday the 22nd and Friday the 25th are your fallback options for cleaner, smaller waves.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Fri night, calm by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon night, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Wed morning, fresh winds from the W by Thu afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 11 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 7 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | W 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1126 | 1012 | 559 | 260 | 137 | 55 | 36 | 181 | 288 | 279 | 279 | 237 | 672 | 394 | 548 | 1175 | 2329 | 2303 | 1697 | 1108 | 512 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | on | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 7:12AM3.45m | 7:25PM3.90m | 7:47AM3.46m | 8:00PM3.74m | 8:20AM3.39m | 8:34PM3.49m | 8:53AM3.26m | 9:08PM3.19m | 9:26AM3.07m | 9:44PM2.87m | 10:03AM2.85m | 10:23PM2.55m | 10:49AM2.61m | 11:18PM2.28m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:03PM0.03m | 1:34AM-0.07m | 1:39PM0.07m | 2:06AM0.07m | 2:15PM0.19m | 2:37AM0.27m | 2:50PM0.39m | 3:07AM0.52m | 3:27PM0.65m | 3:40AM0.79m | 4:07PM0.93m | 4:17AM1.07m | 5:00PM1.22m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | |  |  | |  | | | |  | | | | | | |
 | 7:00 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — |
 | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 5 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 3 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 11 | W 10 | NW 12 | NW 11 | W 12 | — | WNW 10 | — | — | — | WNW 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 |
| kJ | — | 1012 | 559 | 260 | 137 | 55 | 36 | 181 | 288 | 5 | 5 | 106 | — | 394 | — | — | — | 2303 | 1697 | 1108 | 512 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WSW 10 | W 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | NW 13 | NW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 19 | 49 | 26 | 14 | 7 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | N 13 | NW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | — | — | — | — | SSW 3 | S 3 | S 3 | — | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 7 | WNW 11 | — | W 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 13 | — | — | — | S 4 |
| kJ | 1126 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 5 | — | 279 | 279 | 237 | 672 | — | 548 | 1175 | 2329 | — | — | — | 13 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 145 | 117 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 27 | 10 | 265 | 319 | 585 | 427 | 127 | 127 | 145 | 727 | 727 | 265 | 265 | 145 | 23 |
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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