Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 12s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 12s period, W swell with 1,469 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 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 Wednesday (Sep 09) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. 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 12s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4PM (Wed 9th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Sat 12th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, so, lookin' at what's on the menu for us here, and I gotta be straight with you – it's a mixed bag with a few real gems tucked away. The next 16 days are gonna ask for a bit of patience, but if you pick your moments, you'll get some clean waves.
The water is sitting at 61°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so that's a nice little bonus – won't need the thickest suit.
First real light in the tunnel shows up on Saturday, September 12th. The morning is a bit iffy with a bumpy 8ft cross-on swell, but the afternoon... that's where it's at. Back Strands cleans right up with glassy conditions and a solid 6ft swell out of the WNW. The combined energy is proper strong (953), and with that 12-second period, these waves will have some real punch and shape. It's a little on the bigger side for beginners, but for everyone else, that Saturday afternoon session is the standout of the whole run.
The next day, Sunday, September 13th, is also looking sweet. The morning is glassy again with a clean 4ft swell (308 energy) out of the WNW. It's not as powerful as Saturday, but it'll be super clean and fun.
We then hit a dry spell. From Sunday afternoon right through to Wednesday, September 16th, it's mostly ordinary – small, choppy, or blown out. Not worth paddling out for.
Things perk back up a week and a half out. Friday, September 18th morning, the swell picks up to 5ft from the west with a long 12-second period – that's 617 units of combined energy pushing in. The wind is light and cross-off, so Back Strands will be clean. This one is on the edge of being too big for beginners, so be mindful. The conditions are good though, so get on it.
Then, the following weekend, Sunday, September 20th, the clean conditions stick around. Both the morning and afternoon have clean surf with 4ft to 5ft swell out of the west (467 and 396 energy). The wind stays cross-off, making for some tidy waves. These are great sessions for a wider range of surfers.
So, the honest truth: the real standout is Saturday afternoon, September 12th – that's your best bet for a proper, powerful, glassy session. Sunday morning, September 13th and Sunday, September 20th are your top picks for cleaner, slightly smaller, long-period fun.
Keep your eyes on the sky, and I'll catch you in the water.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Wed afternoon, fresh winds from the SSE by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat afternoon, fresh winds from the SSW by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 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) | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 11 | WSW 11 | W 10 | W 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 13 | W 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 213 | 119 | 58 | 141 | 363 | 340 | 239 | 238 | 960 | 1469 | 953 | 559 | 308 | 223 | 121 | 59 | 116 | 267 | 277 | 225 | 176 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | on |
High Tide | 5:27PM3.64m | 5:57AM3.22m | 6:09PM3.85m | 6:36AM3.37m | 6:48PM3.94m | 7:12AM3.45m | 7:25PM3.90m | 7:47AM3.46m | 8:00PM3.74m | 8:20AM3.39m | 8:34PM3.49m | 8:53AM3.26m | 9:08PM3.19m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:05AM0.45m | 11:47PM0.12m | 11:47AM0.23m | 00:25AM-0.05m | 12:26PM0.09m | 1:01AM-0.11m | 1:03PM0.03m | 1:34AM-0.07m | 1:39PM0.07m | 2:06AM0.07m | 2:15PM0.19m | 2:37AM0.27m | 2:50PM0.39m | 3:07AM0.52m | |||||||
 | |  |  | |  | |  | | | |  | | |  | |  | | | | | |
 | 6:54 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — |
 | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:51 | — |
mm | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 17 | 1 | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 10 | 12 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 10 | 9 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 11 | — | — | W 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 13 | W 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 11 | NW 11 | NW 11 | W 9 |
| kJ | 213 | 119 | 58 | 141 | — | — | 239 | 238 | 960 | 1469 | 953 | 559 | 308 | 223 | 121 | 59 | 116 | 267 | 5 | 4 | 176 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 13 | W 12 | — | — | — | — | WNW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 13 | NW 12 | NW 12 | NW 12 | — | — | N 10 |
| kJ | — | 4 | 11 | — | — | — | — | 77 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | — | — | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 10 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 3 | SSW 4 | WSW 11 | W 10 | — | — | S 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 3 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | W 10 | W 10 | — |
| kJ | — | — | 5 | 28 | 363 | 340 | — | — | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 7 | 27 | 277 | 225 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 51 | 0 | 27 | 27 | 512 | 265 | 27 | 0 | 494 | 107 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 51 | 27 | 487 | 145 | 396 | 276 |
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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