Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 11s period, WNW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 7s period, W swell with 404 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 12s 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 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 12s 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 2.0m 7s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) 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 0.5m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down the next two weeks for Back Strands.
The first week is pretty quiet – a long stretch of flat and poor conditions with a few moments of hope. The real action comes in the second week.
Monday the 24th of August is the first glimmer. Monday morning has a 3ft swell from the WNW, 11-second period, with a light ESE cross-off breeze. The wave energy is moderate (254). It’s surfable, but not a standout. The afternoon is the pick of the day: dead calm, glassy, with a 4ft west swell at 10 seconds and 270 energy. That’s a clean, small window.
From Tuesday the 25th through the end of the month, it’s a washout – small swells, 1ft to 3ft, with short periods (6 to 7 seconds) and messy onshore winds. The ocean is flat and uncooperative.
The second week brings the goods. Wednesday the 2nd of September starts with a 3ft WNW swell, 8-second period, and a clean cross-off breeze, but energy is moderate (140). The best session of the whole forecast hits Wednesday afternoon: glassy calm, a 6ft west swell at 9 seconds, and strong energy (548). The wind is nil – pure glass, perfect lines. That’s the day to remember.
Thursday the 3rd of September keeps the energy up. Morning brings a 6ft west swell, 9-second period, with a clean offshore breeze from the SE at 12 mph. The energy is strong (492). This is a solid morning, but the swell is getting big – 6ft to 7ft – which is expert territory. The afternoon has a stronger 7ft swell with a 19 mph cross-off, still good but a bit more wind.
Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th fade out – 4ft down to 3ft, with ordinary conditions. Sunday the 6th of September wraps it up with a 4ft NW swell at 8 seconds, clean cross-off, and moderate energy (239).
The standout is the afternoon of Wednesday the 2nd of September – glassy, 6ft west swell, 9-second period, and strong energy. That’s your session. The Thursday morning is also a solid backup. Back Strands is a reef, so the west swell works well, but watch for crowds – it can get busy, especially on a good day.
Water temp is about normal for this time of year.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Tue afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 8 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 6 | 26 | 44 | 254 | 270 | 259 | 118 | 56 | 21 | 10 | 10 | 78 | 64 | 41 | 13 | 14 | 36 | 96 | 319 | 276 | 326 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on |
High Tide | 3:50PM2.56m | 4:19AM2.41m | 4:44PM2.80m | 5:04AM2.60m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:21AM1.26m | 10:15PM1.16m | 10:19AM1.06m | 11:01PM0.94m | 11:00AM0.83m | 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 | |||||||
 |  |  | | |  | |  |  |  | |  |  | | | |  | | | | | |
 | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — |
 | — | 8:47 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:43 | — | — | 8:40 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:36 | — | — | 8:34 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 14 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 13 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 19 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 5 | WNW 8 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 8 | NW 7 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 3 | 26 | 44 | 254 | 270 | 259 | 118 | 56 | 21 | 10 | 10 | 78 | 64 | 41 | 13 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | — | NW 6 | — | — | — | — | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | — | — | N 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 6 | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | — | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | — | W 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 2 | — | — | ENE 3 | E 3 | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 3 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | 36 | 96 | 319 | 276 | 326 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 127 | 32 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 21 | 17 | 7 | 121 | 33 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 234 | 178 | 292 | 396 | 416 | 424 | 442 |
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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