Back Strands Surf Break

Lat Long: 54.45° N 8.49° W

Back Strands Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 am 23 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Back Strands sea temperature is
16.6°C
1.8° 

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 23 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 11s period, WNW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 7s period, W swell with 404 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 12s 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 2.0m 7s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Mon 24th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 12s
Best Surf 1PM (Mon 24th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 11s
Most Powerful 1PM (Sat 29th Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 7s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down the next two weeks for Back Strands.

The first week is pretty quiet – a long stretch of flat and poor conditions with a few moments of hope. The real action comes in the second week.

Monday the 24th of August is the first glimmer. Monday morning has a 3ft swell from the WNW, 11-second period, with a light ESE cross-off breeze. The wave energy is moderate (254). It’s surfable, but not a standout. The afternoon is the pick of the day: dead calm, glassy, with a 4ft west swell at 10 seconds and 270 energy. That’s a clean, small window.

From Tuesday the 25th through the end of the month, it’s a washout – small swells, 1ft to 3ft, with short periods (6 to 7 seconds) and messy onshore winds. The ocean is flat and uncooperative.

The second week brings the goods. Wednesday the 2nd of September starts with a 3ft WNW swell, 8-second period, and a clean cross-off breeze, but energy is moderate (140). The best session of the whole forecast hits Wednesday afternoon: glassy calm, a 6ft west swell at 9 seconds, and strong energy (548). The wind is nil – pure glass, perfect lines. That’s the day to remember.

Thursday the 3rd of September keeps the energy up. Morning brings a 6ft west swell, 9-second period, with a clean offshore breeze from the SE at 12 mph. The energy is strong (492). This is a solid morning, but the swell is getting big – 6ft to 7ft – which is expert territory. The afternoon has a stronger 7ft swell with a 19 mph cross-off, still good but a bit more wind.

Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th fade out – 4ft down to 3ft, with ordinary conditions. Sunday the 6th of September wraps it up with a 4ft NW swell at 8 seconds, clean cross-off, and moderate energy (239).

The standout is the afternoon of Wednesday the 2nd of September – glassy, 6ft west swell, 9-second period, and strong energy. That’s your session. The Thursday morning is also a solid backup. Back Strands is a reef, so the west swell works well, but watch for crowds – it can get busy, especially on a good day.

Water temp is about normal for this time of year.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
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
1
2
0
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)
0.2
W
9
0.4
WNW
8
0.4
WNW
11
1
WNW
11
1.1
W
10
1.1
W
10
0.8
W
10
0.6
W
9
0.4
W
8
0.3
W
8
0.3
W
8
0.6
W
10
0.6
W
9
0.5
W
9
0.3
WNW
8
0.4
NW
7
0.6
WNW
7
1
WNW
7
1.9
W
7
1.6
WNW
7
1.9
WNW
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
6
26
44
254
270
259
118
56
21
10
10
78
64
41
13
14
36
96
319
276
326
Wind (km/h)
5
SW
5
NW
10
SE
10
ESE
0
SE
15
ESE
20
E
15
ESE
15
E
20
E
15
ESE
15
E
15
ENE
5
SE
15
ENE
5
W
25
WNW
20
W
20
WNW
25
NW
30
WNW
Wind State
glassy
glassy
off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
High Tide
3:50PM2.56m
4:19AM2.41m
4:44PM2.80m
5:04AM2.60m
5:23PM3.06m
5:41AM2.80m
5:57PM3.30m
6:13AM2.97m
6:28PM3.50m
6:45AM3.12m
6:58PM3.64m
7:16AM3.23m
7:29PM3.71m
Low Tide
9:21AM1.26m
10:15PM1.16m
10:19AM1.06m
11:01PM0.94m
11:00AM0.83m
11:37PM0.71m
11:35AM0.61m
00:09AM0.50m
12:06PM0.43m
00:40AM0.32m
12:37PM0.29m
1:09AM0.18m
1:08PM0.20m
1:39AM0.11m
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
light rain
cloud
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:22
6:24
6:26
6:28
6:31
6:31
6:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:47
8:45
8:43
8:40
8:37
8:36
8:34
 mm
1
4
1
1
1
6
6
1
2
2
3
Temp °C
14
18
17
18
20
18
17
19
16
17
19
17
15
17
15
16
15
15
15
15
14
Feels °C
13
17
15
16
19
16
14
16
13
14
18
15
14
17
14
14
11
12
12
11
9
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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