
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, 7PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s period, WNW swell with 169 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 1.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 7PM. 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 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 | 7PM (Sun 9th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Back Strands. It’s a reef break, fairly exposed to the swell, and it likes the swell from the west. The water’s sitting at 61°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you can leave the steamer at home for a bit.
Alright, I’ll be straight with you. The next week and a half is a bit of a flat spell. There’s a bit of swell on the Sunday morning, but it’s a messy 4ft from the west with a short 9-second period, and a cross-shore wind is chopping it up. The combined energy is only 281 (moderate), but the conditions are just marginal. Not worth paddling out for.
That Monday morning, the 10th, drops to 2ft, and the wind is a light cross-onshore with small ripples. It’s poor. Tuesday drops even more. Honestly, we’re lookin’ at a solid week of nothing worth mentionin’ – tiny waves, 1ft to 2ft, and mostly poor conditions. The wind flips around but doesn’t bring anything clean. Thursday the 13th morning has a whiff of hope with 2ft from the west and a 10-second period, and the wind is offshore from the southeast, keepin’ it clean. The energy is 98 (weak), but it’s surfable, just very ordinary. That afternoon goes glassy, but it’s still tiny.
Friday the 14th through to the 17th is a write-off. Tiny surf, 1ft to 2ft, and cross-onshore winds. A few glassy moments but no real wave to ride.
Now, Tuesday the 18th morning – that’s a little standout. The swell jumps back up to 4ft from the west, with a 9-second period, and the wind is a clean cross-offshore from the south. The combined energy comes in at 269 (moderate), and it’s flagged as good surf conditions. It’s the best we’ve seen in a while. The break is a reef, so that short-period swell should wrap in nicely. Crowds are possible here, so get in early.
After that, it fades again. Wednesday the 19th through the 22nd is mostly poor, with cross-onshore winds and small, weak swell. The energy stays under 200, and the conditions are chop.
Lookin’ further out, Sunday the 23rd gets a bit of a pulse – 4ft to 5ft from the west with a long 11-second period, but the wind is onshore or cross-onshore, and the energy climbs to 352 and 457 (strong). The conditions are marked as poor, probably due to the wind. It’s a tease.
Monday the 24th morning is the real standout of the whole forecast. The swell hits 5ft from the west with a 10-second period, combined energy is a beefy 562 (strong), and the wind is offshore from the east-southeast. It’s flagged as good surf conditions. That’s a clean, solid, long-period groundswell on a reef. For the experts, that’s the one to circle. It’s over 5ft, so it’s gettin’ a bit meaty for beginners, but for anyone with some experience, it’ll be lined up. The afternoon goes onshore, so the morning window is the key.
So, if you’re lookin’ for a paddle, your best bet is the morning of the 18th for a fun, clean 4ft, and the absolute winner is the morning of the 24th with a clean 5ft. The rest of the run is flat or blown out. Keep an eye on the forecasts, but right now, it’s a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. 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 9mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Fri 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 | W 7 | W 7 | W 13 | W 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | NW 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
281 | 206 | 125 | 67 | 45 | 27 | 8 | 12 | 58 | 33 | 32 | 62 | 98 | 70 | 58 | 38 | 22 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 27 | |
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 | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
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 | 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 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 24 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 21 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 14 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 10 | 9 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 |
281 | 206 | 125 | 67 | 45 | 27 | 8 | 8 | 58 | 33 | 32 | 62 | 98 | 70 | 58 | 38 | 22 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 8 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NW 11 | NW 10 | NNW 10 | WNW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | N 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 8 | W 8 |
— | — | — | 5 | 16 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | W 9 | W 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 2 | S 2 | S 2 | SSE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 5 | NW 4 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NW 7 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 19 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 27 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 36 | 727 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 33 | 7 | 7 | 36 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 117 | 276 | 158 | 547 | 422 | 231 |
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.











