Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 5 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 11s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, W swell with 2,561 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s 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 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 9s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Back Strands in the next 16 days are 3.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 06) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Sat 5th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Sat 12th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 11s |
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 cookin’ for the next couple of weeks.
We’re gonna be patient for a bit. The first real chance for a surf comes Saturday morning, the 5th of September, at Back Strands. It’s a reef setup, fairly exposed to the west. The water’s a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, coming in at 62°F.
Saturday morning (5th) is a bit of a write-off – we’ve got a 6ft west swell, but the wind is a messy cross-shore from the WSW at 12 mph, making it poor. The energy is moderate (644). The afternoon cleans up nicely though. The wind swings to a light S at 6 mph, going cross-offshore, and the swell drops to a cleaner 4ft from the WNW with a moderate 328 energy. That’s the pick of the day – clean lines.
Sunday (6th) is a no-go. Strong winds and small swell. Monday (7th) sees a big jump in size, but the wind is howling from the SW and WSW, making it a mess. Tuesday (8th) is the biggest swell of the period, with a 10ft WNW swell, but the wind is straight onshore or cross-on from the WNW at 22-25 mph. That’s heavy, powerful energy (2396 and 1764), but for surfing, it’s a washing machine. This setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
The next standout is a beauty. Saturday morning, the 12th of September. The wind drops to absolutely nothing – glassy conditions from the WNW. The swell is a solid 5ft from the WNW with a moderate 467 energy and a nice 11-second period. This is going to be clean, smooth, and the best waves on offer. Expect good surf conditions.
After that, we get a bit of a lull. Sunday the 13th is small, and Monday the 14th has a long-period 13-second swell, but it’s small and the wind is moderate. The next real highlight comes on Wednesday the 16th of September. The morning session has a clean 4ft swell from the WNW with a gentle offshore breeze from the SSE at 9 mph. The energy is 350, and the recommendation is for good surf. Clean and offshore – that’s a winner.
The rest of the 16-day window slides back into smaller, wind-affected waves, with a few surfable but ordinary sessions towards the end of the week. The 20th of September looks like a write-off with fresh onshore winds.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Mon morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun morning, min 13°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Sat afternoon, strong winds from the W by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 11°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WNW on Tue morning, light winds from the SW by Wed afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | |||||||||||||||
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 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 10 | W 6 | W 9 | W 10 | W 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 10 | W 5 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 644 | 328 | 132 | 49 | 94 | 86 | 246 | 1070 | 2067 | 2396 | 1764 | 717 | 249 | 144 | 60 | 55 | 68 | 65 | 336 | 394 | 399 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | on | on | on |
High Tide | 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 | 6:36AM3.37m | 6:48PM3.94m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 12:26PM0.09m | 1:01AM-0.11m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | |  |  | | | |
 | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — |
 | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:00 | — |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | — | 5 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | — | 1 | 1 |
Temp °C | 15 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
Feels °C | 12 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 11 | 7 | 9 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 10 | — | — | — | WNW 10 |
| kJ | 644 | 328 | 132 | 49 | 94 | 78 | 246 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 144 | 60 | 55 | 68 | — | — | — | 399 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | W 16 | W 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 12 | W 11 | WNW 8 | — | — | — | WNW 13 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 79 | 125 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | 7 | — | — | — | 55 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 3 | S 4 | SSW 5 | W 6 | SSW 4 | W 10 | W 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | — | S 2 | S 3 | SW 3 | W 5 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | — |
| kJ | — | — | 8 | 35 | 45 | 86 | 31 | 1070 | 2067 | 2396 | 1764 | 717 | 249 | — | 1 | 6 | 3 | 65 | 336 | 394 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 53 | 0 | 0 | 501 | 501 | 53 | 319 | 532 | 292 | 292 | 400 | 313 | 27 | 27 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 80 | 349 | 422 | 19 |
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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