Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 7 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 13s period, WNW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, WNW swell with 1,739 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 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 Friday (Sep 11) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 14s. 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 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Monday (Sep 14) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Fri 11th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Sat 12th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s see what we’ve got for the next 16 days. Honestly, it’s a rough start, but there’s a few windows that could get interesting.
We’re at Back Strands, a reef setup that’s fairly consistent and exposed to the swell. The first week or so is pretty grim with onshore winds and messy conditions. The first real chance to paddle out doesn’t come until Thursday morning, the 10th of September. The swell is small at 3.6ft from the west, but the wind is light and cross-offshore, keeping things clean. The water is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual. The combined energy is weak (196), so you’ll be working for your rides.
The main standout is a short window on Saturday morning, the 12th. Swell jumps to 6.2ft from the west-northwest, with a long 13-second period – that’s proper groundswell pushing in. The energy is moderate (1,230), and the wind is light and cross-offshore, so the surface will be clean. Now, this is a reef, and that long period could make it a bit straight, but it’s the best we’ve got for a while. The conditions are marginal due to tide, but it’s the pick. Crowds are possible here, so get there early.
Another morning to watch is Sunday the 13th. Swell drops to 4.6ft, still from the west-northwest, with a good 11-second period. Combined energy is 463. The wind is light and offshore, glassy conditions. Expect clean, surfable waves, nothing huge, but a fun morning out.
The big stuff arrives later. On the 19th of September, a Saturday, there’s a huge 13.1ft west swell with a 13-second period. The combined energy is massive (5,468). This is expert territory. The wind is offshore in the afternoon, but the morning is a cross-shore chop. It’s a big, powerful swell, but only for the brave.
The 22nd of September, a Tuesday morning, brings a 7.2ft west swell with a very long 14-second period. Energy is 1,894. Light cross-on wind, but that long period over a reef could be a bit wonky. Still, a notable swell for the end of the window.
Overall, it’s a mixed bag. The first few days are a write-off. The best bet is the Saturday morning, 12th of September, for the combination of size, clean wind, and that long period energy. Stay safe out there.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Tue morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun night, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WNW on Tue morning, light winds from the W by Wed morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 28mm), heaviest during Sat morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Thu afternoon, light winds from the W by Fri afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | |||||||||||||||
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 10 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 513 | 680 | 1060 | 1739 | 1626 | 831 | 262 | 144 | 75 | 196 | 239 | 228 | 200 | 205 | 1058 | 1230 | 1230 | 953 | 463 | 281 | 154 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:39PM3.00m | 4:20AM2.77m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:13AM0.98m | 10:09PM0.69m | 10:16AM0.72m | 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 | |||||||
 |  |  | |  |  |  |  |  | | | | | |  | | |  | | | | |
 | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — |
 | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:55 | — |
mm | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 9 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 17 |
Feels °C | 9 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 9 | W 10 | — | — | W 8 | WNW 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 262 | 144 | 75 | 196 | 239 | — | — | 205 | 1058 | 1230 | 1230 | 953 | 463 | 281 | 154 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 13 | W 12 | — | — | — | — | W 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | — | — | S 3 | S 4 | S 4 | W 10 | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 3 |
| kJ | 513 | 680 | 1060 | 1739 | 1626 | 831 | — | — | 5 | 10 | 6 | 228 | 200 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 53 | 514 | 268 | 434 | 727 | 569 | 27 | 53 | 80 | 10 | 135 | 27 | 36 | 27 | 0 | 14 | 243 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 27 |
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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