Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 11s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 11s period, WNW swell with 313 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 10s. 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 1.2m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer for the next couple of weeks. Gotta be straight with you, it’s a bit of a slow burner. The first week is pretty much a write-off for good waves, with the action really only shaping up towards the end of the second week.
We’re starting off quiet. Thursday the 20th is a no-go with strong north winds making a mess of things. That theme carries right through to Sunday the 23rd – just small, weak, and messy. You’d be better off doing a bit of maintenance on your boards.
Monday the 24th is where we finally see a little flicker of life. The morning session at Back Strands is looking okay. We’ve got a clean, 4ft swell from the WNW with a period of 11 seconds, and light offshore ESE winds. The combined energy is moderate (313). It’s nothing to write home about, but it’s the first clean surf we’ve seen. The tide might be a bit ordinary though, so don’t expect perfection.
Then the models go quiet again. Tuesday the 25th through to Saturday the 29th is another flat spell with barely a ripple. A few glassy mornings on the 27th, but the swell is just too small to paddle onto.
Now, for the real standout – and you might want to mark this on the calendar. Sunday, the 30th of August is the one we’ve been waiting for. The morning at Back Strands is looking firing. We’ve got 7ft of groundswell from the WNW, with a nice 9-second period. The combined wave energy is strong at 698. What’s making this special is the gentle offshore wind from the SSE, keeping things clean and lined up. The wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions”. This is the best of the entire forecast. For the experienced crew, the afternoon pushes up to 8ft (998 energy), though it gets a bit more cross-off and the wind might shift with a risk of thunderstorms. Still, Sunday morning is where it’s at.
Into the final week, Monday the 31st drops back off quickly. There’s a small swell on the 2nd and 3rd of September, but it’s all blown out by onshore winds. Nothing to chase.
So overall, it’s a long, flat period with one absolute cracker of a morning on Sunday August 30th. Get that date locked in. The water’s a touch warmer than usual for this time of year at 62°, which is nice for an early paddle.
Until next time,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Thu morning, calm by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 21°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, fresh winds from the ESE by Tue morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 5 | NW 6 | WNW 6 | W 9 | NW 7 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WSW 10 | W 10 | W 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 172 | 90 | 120 | 55 | 38 | 20 | 7 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 13 | 92 | 313 | 260 | 142 | 76 | 38 | 14 | 33 | 45 | 81 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:41AM2.56m | 00:08AM2.39m | 12:52PM2.41m | 1:34AM2.22m | 2:28PM2.40m | 3:12AM2.25m | 3:50PM2.56m | 4:19AM2.41m | 4:44PM2.80m | 5:04AM2.60m | 5:23PM3.06m | 5:41AM2.80m | 5:57PM3.30m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:46PM1.21m | 6:15AM1.27m | 7:18PM1.37m | 7:50AM1.36m | 9:06PM1.34m | 9:21AM1.26m | 10:15PM1.16m | 10:19AM1.06m | 11:01PM0.94m | 11:00AM0.83m | 11:37PM0.71m | 11:35AM0.61m | 00:09AM0.50m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | |  | | |  | |
 | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — |
 | — | 8:54 | — | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:50 | — | — | 8:47 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:43 | — | — | 8:40 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | 25 |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 21 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 17 |
Feels °C | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | — | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 10 | W 8 | W 9 | WNW 6 | W 9 | NW 7 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WSW 10 | W 10 | W 9 |
| kJ | 157 | 90 | — | 55 | 10 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 11 | 92 | 313 | 260 | 142 | 76 | 38 | 14 | 33 | 45 | 81 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | NW 7 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | W 10 | — | — | — | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | NW 8 | NW 11 | NW 12 | NW 12 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 2 | — | — | — | 10 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 7 | NNW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 12 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 9 | NNW 4 | NW 8 | N 3 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 5 | NW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 2 | ESE 2 | SE 2 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 172 | 35 | 120 | 5 | 38 | 20 | 7 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 458 | 721 | 178 | 313 | 313 | 158 | 119 | 276 | 83 | 36 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 48 | 158 | 17 | 7 | 0 |
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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