Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 8s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, W swell with 1,850 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 8s 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 Monday (Aug 17) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 6s. 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 3.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) 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 0.4m 2s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, I’m Rusty, and I’ve been staring at the charts for Back Strands. I gotta be straight with you – this stretch is looking pretty grim for anyone hoping to get a proper wave. The whole 16-day window is a real struggle for decent surf. We’re looking at a long, dry spell with nothing really happening until the very end of the month.
The water is sitting at 62°F right now, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t be freezing your arse off while you’re sitting there waiting for a wave that never comes.
The first real standout, and it’s a very weak one, looks to be on Tuesday, August 25th. We’ve got a tiny bump of 3ft from the WNW with a 10-second period, and the combined energy is a paltry 157 – that’s weak stuff. The real positive here is the wind going glassy on Tuesday afternoon. That’s a rare treat for this break. It’ll be clean, but the waves will be small, weak, and very ordinary. After that, we’re back to the doldrums.
Then there’s a glimmer on Friday, August 28th. Another glassy morning, with a 2ft swell from the west at 9 seconds. The energy is still low at 71, so it’s another day for the small-wave gear. The calm wind will make it look pretty, but it won’t be anything to write home about.
The last tiny chance is on Saturday, August 29th. Another glassy morning with 3ft from the WNW and a short 7-second period. The energy is 72, so still weak. The wind is dead calm, which is a dream, but the swell just isn’t there.
Honestly, if you’re desperate for a paddle, those three glassy windows are the only times the conditions won’t be actively fighting you. The rest of the time, it’s a mix of onshore winds, tiny swell, or lumpy chop. With the swell being this small and the wind being a problem, this setup looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer on most days.
The first two weeks are a total write-off. The best you can hope for is a tiny, clean wave in the last few days.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Mon morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSE on Sun afternoon, strong winds from the WSW by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Wed morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Wed morning, light winds from the N by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 8 | W 7 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 8 | W 9 | W 10 | W 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 7 | NNW 6 | W 10 | W 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 37 | 34 | 91 | 68 | 45 | 116 | 212 | 422 | 882 | 1796 | 1750 | 772 | 576 | 300 | 174 | 82 | 44 | 30 | 25 | 8 | 7 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 9:09PM3.67m | 9:31AM3.13m | 9:47PM3.35m | 10:09AM2.95m | 10:27PM3.01m | 10:51AM2.76m | 11:11PM2.67m | 11:41AM2.56m | 00:08AM2.39m | 12:52PM2.41m | 1:34AM2.22m | 2:28PM2.40m | 3:12AM2.25m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:43PM0.20m | 3:18AM0.25m | 3:22PM0.41m | 3:54AM0.51m | 4:02PM0.67m | 4:31AM0.78m | 4:48PM0.95m | 5:14AM1.05m | 5:46PM1.21m | 6:15AM1.27m | 7:18PM1.37m | 7:50AM1.36m | 9:06PM1.34m | ||||||||
 | |  | | |  |  |  | | | |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | |
 | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:04 | — | — | 9:01 | — | 8:59 | — | — | 8:57 | — | — | 8:54 | — | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:50 | — |
mm | 2 | 2 | — | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
Feels °C | 11 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | W 7 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 10 | — | — | NW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 7 | W 10 | W 10 | NW 4 |
| kJ | 37 | 34 | 91 | 68 | 45 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 772 | — | — | 174 | 82 | 44 | 30 | 8 | 8 | 3 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 7 | W 10 | NW 7 | NW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 9 |
| kJ | — | 9 | 18 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | 1 | 7 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NW 7 | — | N 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 11 | — | W 9 | NW 6 |
| kJ | — | — | 8 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 2 | S 3 | — | — | — | W 7 | W 8 | W 9 | W 10 | W 11 | WNW 11 | — | WNW 10 | NW 9 | — | — | NNW 3 | — | NNW 6 | NNW 3 | — |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 116 | 212 | 422 | 882 | 1796 | 1750 | — | 576 | 300 | — | — | 4 | — | 25 | 7 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 7 | 36 | 22 | 36 | 443 | 53 | 1272 | 145 | 424 | 264 | 145 | 204 | 203 | 178 | 178 | 178 | 117 | 117 | 272 | 53 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Sligo | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Ireland | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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