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: Tuesday 1 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 9s period, W swell with 380 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 1.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 1PM.
| 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 | 4PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright mates, Rusty here. Let’s break down Back Strands for the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, it’s a slow start. There’s a big gap from the 25th of August through the end of the month where the surf is flat and the conditions are just poor. Swell heights are all under 2 feet, with weak energy, and the wind is mostly sideways or onshore. Not worth a second look.
The 1st of September brings a 5-foot swell from the west, but the wind is onshore at 15 mph, making it a messy, blown-out mess. The energy picks up to 380, but it’s not clean.
The one day to lock in is Wednesday the 2nd of September. We’re looking at a 4-foot west swell with a 10-second period, and the combined energy is a solid 303-313. The wind is light and cross-off from the south-southwest, which should keep the waves clean. The water is a touch warmer than average at 62°F, which is nice. Back Strands is a reef break, so it should handle that west swell well. Just be aware that crowds are possible here, so get down early.
After that, it gets ugly. The 3rd of September sees a massive 10-foot swell with a 12-13 second period, but the wind is a strong cross-shore at 28 mph. The energy is a massive 2539-2660, but that’s a lot of power and wind. That’s for experts only, and even then, it’s going to be a battle. The 4th of September is still big (8 feet) with similar lumpy, cross-shore wind. The rest of the outlook fades into smaller, wind-affected days.
So, the takeaway? Target Wednesday the 2nd of September. That’s your window. The rest is either flat, too windy, or too big and messy.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Sat morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun morning, fresh winds from the SW by Mon morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NW 9 | NW 9 | W 8 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 56 | 21 | 10 | 10 | 67 | 60 | 39 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 15 | 28 | 24 | 28 | 26 | 12 | 18 | 46 | 194 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 7:48AM3.29m | 8:00PM3.70m | 8:21AM3.29m | 8:33PM3.60m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 1:40PM0.18m | 2:10AM0.10m | 2:13PM0.22m | 2:42AM0.18m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  | | |  | | | |  |  | | | | | | |  | |
 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — |
 | 8:43 | — | — | 8:40 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:36 | — | — | 8:34 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — |
mm | — | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 10 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 |
Temp °C | 20 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 17 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | — | NW 6 | NW 7 | W 10 | NNW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | W 8 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 |
| kJ | 56 | 21 | 10 | 10 | 67 | 60 | 39 | 22 | 22 | — | 20 | 15 | 2 | 7 | 28 | 26 | 12 | 18 | 46 | 194 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | W 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 7 | — | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | NW 8 | W 8 | — | — |
| kJ | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 6 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 11 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 7 | W 12 | W 11 | NW 5 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 9 | 1 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 7 | — | — | NW 7 | NW 6 | — | — | — | — | W 4 | SSW 3 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 21 | — | — | 28 | 24 | — | — | — | — | 8 | 3 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 32 | 77 | 32 | 0 | 7 | 19 | 117 | 53 | 281 | 7 | 17 | 512 | 19 | 7 | 158 | 51 | 53 | 522 | 504 |
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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