Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 10s period, W swell with 1,081 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s 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 24) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 11s 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 2.3m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 2s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s cut to it: the next couple of weeks are mostly a bust, but there’s one day that stands head and shoulders above the rest if you’re willing to wait it out.
Right now, there’s nothing. We’ve got a long stretch with no good surf, starting Monday the 17th and running through the end of August. The swell is tiny and weak, and the winds are mostly cross-onshore, which wrecks everything. Monday afternoon sees a small 0.6m west swell with an 8-second period and energy at only 48 – not worth getting wet for. Tuesday through the end of the week is more of the same: fresh cross-onshore breezes and lumpy, messy surf. Midweek, the swell tries to kick – Wednesday the 19th has 2.2m of west swell with a 10-second period and energy up at 1006 – but it’s all cross-on and chopped up. Not good. The weekend stays flat and weak, with just 0.4m waves and gentle cross-onshore winds. Sunday morning the 23rd turns glassy, but there’s only 0.3m on offer, so it’s nothing.
Early next week brings a little more life. Monday the 24th morning has a clean 0.4m west-northwest swell with a 12-second period and a cross-off breeze – that’s a better look. The energy is still low at 64, but it’s promising. Monday afternoon steps it up to 1.4m of west swell with an 11-second period, and the cross-off wind keeps it clean, with energy climbing to 451. Tuesday morning the 25th has a fresh offshore wind but only 0.7m of swell, so it’s still small. After that, the week slides back into average, with moderate cross-onshores and choppy conditions.
Now for the big one. Tuesday the 1st of September is the standout. We’re looking at a proper pulse of groundswell – 4.5m from the west-northwest with a 13-second period. The combined energy is huge, reading 6395 in the morning and 5895 in the afternoon. That’s a serious, powerful swell. And for once, the conditions are lining up: Tuesday morning has a light cross-off wind, and by Tuesday afternoon it’s glassy. This is the day. Back Strands (a reef break) is going to be a monster – way too big for anyone but experts. At over 2.5m, this is strictly for the experienced. Water temp is 17°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – nothing wild, but noticeable.
That’s the one to chase. The rest of the stretch is mostly forgettable, but that Tuesday could be something special. Long-range calls are promising but less certain, so keep an eye on it as it gets closer. But if you’re keen and you know what you’re doing, mark the 1st of September in big red letters.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Mon afternoon, fresh winds from the SW by Tue night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Thu afternoon, calm by Sun morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | W 7 | W 8 | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 10 | W 10 | WNW 9 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 6 | NW 5 | NW 5 | NW 5 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 45 | 131 | 223 | 481 | 999 | 1006 | 808 | 461 | 160 | 113 | 82 | 39 | 22 | 16 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 13 | 12 | 18 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | off |
High Tide | 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 | 3:50PM2.56m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 9:21AM1.26m | 10:15PM1.16m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | | |  | |  | | |  | | |  |  | | | |
 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — |
 | — | 9:01 | — | 8:59 | — | — | 8:57 | — | — | 8:54 | — | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:50 | — | — | 8:47 | — |
mm | 3 | 1 | — | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 10 | W 10 | WNW 9 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 6 | W 8 | W 9 | NW 5 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 |
| kJ | 45 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 461 | 154 | 113 | 82 | 39 | 22 | 16 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 13 | 12 | 18 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | — | — | W 9 | WNW 5 | N 6 | W 11 |
| kJ | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | — |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 2 | W 7 | W 8 | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | — | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | — | NNE 3 | NNW 4 | — | NW 5 | NW 5 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | 131 | 223 | 481 | 999 | 1006 | 808 | — | 160 | 62 | — | 3 | 10 | — | 9 | 8 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 36 | 430 | 319 | 512 | 400 | 149 | 127 | 197 | 400 | 427 | 178 | 197 | 178 | 117 | 117 | 323 | 117 | 46 | 276 | 33 |
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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