Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 10 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 9s period, W swell with 318 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 10 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s 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 10) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 8s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Back Strands in the next 16 days are 1.4m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 2s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break it down for Back Strands. It’s a tough stretch coming up.
The first week is a ghost town. A tiny pulse shows up on Monday afternoon, August 10th – we’re talking 2ft waves from the WNW with a short 8-second interval. But the wind goes glassy, so if you’ve got a longboard and no standards, it might be fun. The conditions are "very ordinary" and the energy is weak at 76. That’s as good as it gets for a while.
Then there’s a big dead zone. Nothing for days until around Wednesday, August 19th.
That Wednesday, the swell wakes up to 5ft from the WNW with a 10-second period. The energy jumps to 555, which is strong, but the wind is howling from the WNW at 12 mph, onshore or cross-onshore all day. It’s going to be lumpy and choppy. With that size (over 5ft), it’s too big for beginners, and the wind makes it a mess. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. The swell direction is W, which is what the reef likes, but the wind kills it.
Thursday the 20th is similar: 5ft from the WNW, still 9 seconds, energy at 409, but still onshore wind from the NW at 12 mph. Rough.
Friday the 21st is your one true standout. The swell drops to 4ft from the W, and the wind eases to a light breeze from the NNE at 6 mph, staying cross-shore. The period is still a bit short at 9 seconds, but the wind is light, the energy is moderate at 246, and it’ll be the cleanest we’ve seen in two weeks. Not perfect, but it's the best on offer.
After that, it fades into small, onshore slop through the weekend.
So, for a real session, aim for Monday afternoon, August 10th for a clean ankle-biter, or Friday, August 21st for the best chance of a decent, clean wave. The rest is a write-off.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 23°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 23°C on Wed afternoon, min 15°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 7 | W 13 | W 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 318 | 206 | 125 | 85 | 60 | 30 | 9 | 12 | 57 | 33 | 31 | 119 | 108 | 94 | 80 | 50 | 33 | 18 | 40 | 42 | 21 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross | cross | on | glassy |
High Tide | 3:43PM2.92m | 4:18AM2.84m | 4:48PM3.24m | 5:19AM3.04m | 5:41PM3.57m | 6:10AM3.21m | 6:28PM3.84m | 6:55AM3.32m | 7:11PM4.00m | 7:36AM3.37m | 7:52PM4.02m | 8:16AM3.35m | 8:31PM3.91m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:16AM0.88m | 10:04PM0.77m | 10:22AM0.67m | 11:06PM0.47m | 11:16AM0.43m | 11:58PM0.19m | 12:02PM0.22m | 00:44AM-0.01m | 12:45PM0.08m | 1:26AM-0.10m | 1:25PM0.02m | 2:05AM-0.08m | 2:04PM0.06m | 2:43AM0.05m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | |
 | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:19 | — | — | 9:16 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:13 | — | — | 9:09 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:06 |
mm | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 23 | 21 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 12 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 |
| kJ | — | 206 | 125 | 85 | 60 | 30 | 8 | 8 | 57 | 33 | 31 | 119 | 108 | 94 | 80 | 50 | 33 | 18 | 40 | 42 | 21 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NW 11 | NW 10 | NNW 10 | NW 7 | W 13 | NW 7 | N 7 | W 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 6 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 5 | 16 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 17 | 9 | 8 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | W 9 | NW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 9 | — | — | W 9 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | SE 2 | — | S 2 | SSE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 318 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 51 | 727 | 53 | 17 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 36 | 7 | 33 | 7 | 0 | 27 | 83 | 19 | 19 | 178 | 17 | 12 | 19 | 7 |
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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