Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 8s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 3 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 10s period, W swell with 354 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 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 02) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 8s. 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 1.4m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let's get into it.
We're looking at a pretty bleak stretch ahead for Back Strands. This reef break is the only option on the table, and honestly, it's a tough watch for the next couple of weeks. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The forecast starts with a major gap. From now through to the beginning of September, there's basically nothing. We're talking days of tiny, weak swell with poor conditions. The combined swell energy is pitiful, sitting at just 60 (weak energy) on Thursday the 27th, and it doesn't get much better. The wind is all over the place, but the surf is just too small to care. This dry spell runs right through until the 4th of September.
Now, there's a glimmer on Friday the 4th of September. We finally see some size, with a 5 ft swell from the WNW, and a moderate energy reading of 658. The wind is a cross-off from the south, which is a good sign, but the forecast still calls it "marginal." It's not great, but it's the only thing that's even close to rideable in the first week.
The real standout, and the only one worth circling on the calendar, is Sunday the 6th of September. The afternoon session looks like the pick of the entire 16 days. We've got a solid 8 ft swell from the west, with a combined energy of 1048 (strong). The wind is a light cross-off from the SSW, which should keep things clean. The wave comment says "expect very good surf conditions," and I'm buying it. This is the one. Be aware that 8 ft is getting into expert territory, and the west direction is a good match for what this reef likes.
After that, the wind turns onshore again and the quality drops off. There's a final mention of an 8 ft WNW swell on Friday the 11th of September, but it's cross-on and lumpy, and pegged as "marginal" at best. Nothing to get excited about a week and a half out.
So, to sum it up: a long, slow start, a brief glimmer on the 4th, one standout window on the afternoon of the 6th of September, then back to the grind. If you're keen, be patient, and point your board at Back Strands on that Sunday.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Sat morning. Warm (max 21°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun morning, fresh winds from the SW by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | |||||||||||||||
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 | W 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | W 10 | WSW 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 10 | W 5 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WSW 8 | W 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 60 | 40 | 22 | 11 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 31 | 41 | 23 | 46 | 62 | 190 | 227 | 180 | 94 | 41 | 151 | 354 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | glassy | on | on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 6:13AM2.97m | 6:28PM3.50m | 6:45AM3.12m | 6:58PM3.64m | 7:16AM3.23m | 7:29PM3.71m | 7:48AM3.29m | 8:00PM3.70m | 8:21AM3.29m | 8:33PM3.60m | 8:55AM3.23m | 9:10PM3.42m | 9:34AM3.12m | 9:51PM3.18m | |||||||
Low Tide | 12:06PM0.43m | 00:40AM0.32m | 12:37PM0.29m | 1:09AM0.18m | 1:08PM0.20m | 1:39AM0.11m | 1:40PM0.18m | 2:10AM0.10m | 2:13PM0.22m | 2:42AM0.18m | 2:49PM0.33m | 3:17AM0.33m | 3:29PM0.50m | 3:57AM0.55m | |||||||
 |  |  | | |  |  | |  | | | |  | |  |  | | | | | | |
 | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — |
 | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:36 | — | — | 8:34 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:25 | — | — | 8:23 | — |
mm | — | 2 | — | — | — | 3 | 6 | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 2 | 4 | — | — | — | 1 | 6 | 12 |
Temp °C | 19 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 18 | 21 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 13 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | W 10 | WSW 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 10 | — | — | — | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | N 7 | — |
| kJ | 60 | 40 | 22 | 11 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 31 | 41 | 23 | 46 | — | — | — | 180 | 94 | 41 | 1 | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 7 | W 7 | W 7 | NNW 6 | WNW 6 | NW 7 | W 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 8 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | W 6 | NW 8 | — | NW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NW 2 | — | — | — | W 3 | — | — | NW 3 | WNW 5 | W 5 | W 9 | WNW 9 | — | — | S 3 | WSW 8 | W 10 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | 20 | 62 | 190 | 227 | — | — | 7 | 151 | 354 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 7 | 156 | 270 | 267 | 77 | 234 | 234 | 32 | 7 | 7 | 80 | 53 | 53 | 53 | 498 | 497 | 12 | 7 | 512 | 53 |
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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