Back Strands Surf Break

Lat Long: 54.45° N 8.49° W

Back Strands Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 am 04 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Back Strands sea temperature is
16.5°C
1.9° 

Back Strands surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Back Strands surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 10s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period, W swell with 3,855 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 10s 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 05) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 10s period. 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 3.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 06) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Sat 5th Sep)4.5ft (1.4m) 10s
Best Surf 4PM (Sat 5th Sep)4.5ft (1.4m) 10s
Most Powerful10AM (Fri 4th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, crew, Rusty here again. Let’s talk about Back Strands in feet and miles per hour. This reef is calling, but the next 16 days are a real story of patience.

We start on Friday, September 4th, and it’s a mess. The swell is 12 feet from the west, but a nasty 28 mph west wind is blowing right across it. It’s a strong cross-onshore, and the combined energy is a hefty 3855. That’s a lot of power with no order. This is more of a kiteboarding scene than a surf session.

Saturday the 5th is a little better. The swell drops to 6 feet from the west, and the wind comes around to the south at 6 mph in the afternoon, cleaning things up. The swell goes 5 feet from the west-northwest, and the energy is 378. The water temp is about normal for this time of year. It’s rideable, but nothing to write home about.

Then we hit a long, flat spell. From Sunday the 6th right through to the 12th, it’s mostly small, weak waves. The swell is between 2 and 6 feet, but the wind is usually onshore or cross-shore, and the energy is often under 400. The 8th sees another spike to 12 feet, but that 25 mph west wind is back, making it a total mess. Strong cross-onshore and choppy. It’s a frustrating pattern.

Here’s the gold. Sunday, September 13th morning. The swell is a solid 7 feet from the west, the wind is a light offshore from the south at just 3 mph, and it’s glassy clean. The combined energy is 792. This is the standout. The reef is going to be firing with clean, lined-up sets. The swell is a bit big for beginners, but for the average surfer, it’s the best we’ve got. Go early.

Monday the 14th morning is also a big one. The swell is a strong 10 feet from the west, with a 10-second period, giving it 1838 energy. The wind is a moderate cross-offshore, keeping it clean. But 10 feet on a reef is no joke – that’s expert territory. The afternoon gets a cross-shore chop, so the morning is the only window.

After that, it’s all downhill. Tuesday the 15th drops to 4 feet, and the rest of the week fades into tiny, knee-high slop with energy under 300. The last few days, from the 17th to the 19th, are all under 3 feet with weak, gutless energy. Not worth getting wet.

So, the bottom line: the first week is a wash. The best bet is the morning of the 13th, with a solid runner-up on the morning of the 14th for the big-wave crew. After that, it’s flat and quiet.

Rusty, out.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Thu night, light winds from the S by Sat afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun night, min 12°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Tue morning, light winds from the SW by Wed afternoon).

Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3.5
W
12
3
W
12
2.5
W
12
1.7
W
10
1.4
WNW
10
0.9
WNW
9
0.7
W
8
0.6
W
9
1.4
W
5
1.6
W
8
1.7
W
9
2.1
W
10
3.5
W
10
3.5
WNW
11
2.3
WNW
11
1.3
W
9
1.1
WNW
9
0.8
W
8
1.1
W
8
1.3
W
10
1.7
WNW
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3855
2805
1805
644
378
132
68
60
110
363
459
849
2432
2718
1253
281
202
86
167
338
261
Wind (km/h)
45
W
45
W
30
W
25
SW
10
S
20
SSE
30
SSE
35
S
30
W
25
SW
35
SW
35
W
45
W
40
W
35
W
30
WSW
20
SW
25
S
20
SW
40
WNW
40
WNW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
on
on
High Tide
11:18AM2.76m
11:53PM2.61m
12:40PM2.65m
1:30AM2.47m
2:18PM2.72m
3:09AM2.55m
3:39PM3.00m
4:20AM2.77m
4:39PM3.34m
5:13AM3.02m
5:27PM3.64m
5:57AM3.22m
6:09PM3.85m
Low Tide
4:47AM0.81m
5:22PM0.97m
5:58AM1.05m
7:02PM1.11m
7:40AM1.13m
8:53PM0.99m
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
rain showers
clear
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:45
6:47
6:48
6:50
6:52
6:54
6:56
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:19
8:15
8:14
8:10
8:08
8:06
8:04
 mm
2
2
2
3
5
7
2
1
2
2
5
2
1
Temp °C
15
15
14
15
15
16
18
19
17
16
15
13
14
14
14
14
15
15
15
15
14
Feels °C
7
7
7
11
13
14
12
14
14
10
9
5
5
6
7
9
12
11
12
9
7
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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