Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 10s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 11s period, W swell with 291 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m 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 1.1m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get stuck into it. The next couple of weeks are looking pretty bleak for a proper paddle. We’ve got a real stretch of nothing on the cards to start, and when that groundswell finally shows up, the wind gods are gonna be working against us.
The first solid look at the water is a good week away. The whole stretch from Wednesday the 26th through to Tuesday the 1st of September is a total write-off. There’s a bit of swell knocking around, but it’s tiny and mostly messy. Nothing worth getting wet for.
We finally get a little pulse of life on the back of a strong WSW wind event. Wednesday the 2nd of September sees the swell bump up to 5ft early, but that cross-shore wind is just gonna shred it. Still not a good call.
Then it gets interesting, but not in a good way. By Friday the 4th, we’re looking at a serious jump in size as that big W groundswell fills in. We’re talking 7ft early, pushing up near 10ft by Saturday the 5th. The energy readings are huge, reaching 2907 and 3397, which is proper powerful stuff. But the wind is a disaster. We’ve got onshore and cross-onshore winds gusting to 37 mph, so it’s gonna be blown out and chaotic. This is expert-only territory at Back Strands. If you’ve got a mate with a kite, this might be more their scene than ours.
There is a window on Saturday afternoon, the 5th, where the wind drops to a gentle 9 mph breeze. The swell is still solid at 10ft with a long 13-second period. It’s still a bit lumpy with the cross-onshore and it’s way over most people’s heads, but for the big-wave crew, this is the only moment all week with any kind of shape to it.
After that, it fades fast. By Monday the 7th, it’s dropping back below 3ft and the wind is back on it. The rest of the run to the 10th is just more of the same – small, onshore slop.
So, bottom line: the standouts are few and far between, and they’re dangerous. If you are an expert and you want a piece of that Saturday the 5th afternoon swell, go for it. Otherwise, keep the board in the car and wait for the next system. The water is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 62°, but you’ll be spending more time on the beach than in it most days.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Warm (max 20°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Sat morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun morning, strong winds from the W by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | W 7 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 7 | W 4 | WSW 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 6 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 10 | 10 | 67 | 60 | 40 | 22 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 22 | 13 | 29 | 25 | 22 | 89 | 68 | 125 | 251 | 172 | 232 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | on | on | cross | cross | on | cross | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:57PM3.30m | 6:13AM2.97m | 6:28PM3.50m | 6:45AM3.12m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:35AM0.61m | 00:09AM0.50m | 12:06PM0.43m | 00:40AM0.32m | 12:37PM0.29m | 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 | |||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:28 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — |
 | — | 8:40 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:36 | — | — | 8:34 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:25 | — |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 16 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 7 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | NW 6 | NW 6 | W 10 | NNW 6 | WNW 6 | W 9 | W 8 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 10 | 10 | 67 | 60 | 40 | 22 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 13 | 25 | 22 | 51 | 68 | 125 | — | — | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | W 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 7 | W 7 | — | W 10 | WSW 9 | NW 5 | W 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | — | 2 | 29 | 4 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 | NW 8 | W 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 5 | NW 5 | — | — | NW 7 | W 4 | — | — | NW 7 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 4 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 4 | — | — | 22 | 13 | — | — | 7 | 89 | 59 | 13 | 251 | 172 | 232 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 119 | 32 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 485 | 313 | 281 | 32 | 77 | 19 | 36 | 7 | 121 | 512 | 292 | 494 | 424 | 145 | 450 | 270 |
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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