Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 11s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 11s period, W swell with 748 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 10s 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 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 12s. 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 1.8m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. It’s been a tough row to hoe at Back Strands. We’re staring down a 16-day window that’s mostly flat and ugly. The first time you’d even think about paddling out isn’t until Monday the 24th, and it’s not much to write home about. We’ve got a solid week of junk to start – poor surf, nasty wind, and a lot of sitting on the beach.
Early on, from Tuesday the 18th through the weekend, forget it. We get a 6ft to 6ft west swell pulsing midweek, but it’s completely wrecked by strong, cross-onshore winds. (Moderate combined swell energy in the 400-600 range). Choppy, lumpy, no good. The swell fades quick by Friday, dropping under 3ft, and the wind stays mean.
The first little flicker comes Monday, 24th of August. The wind finally shifts to a light offshore from the SSE, cleaning the surface right up. We’ll see a long-period 4ft west swell (10 second period, combined energy up to 367) building through the afternoon. It’s still small and just “marginal,” but it will be clean. A tease, really.
The one and only standout for the whole two weeks is Thursday, the 27th of August. On Thursday afternoon, the wind drops out completely. It goes glassy, not a puff from the SSW. We’re left with a clean 3ft west-northwest swell (8 seconds, combined energy of 98). It’s small, but when it’s glassy like that, even the ankle-snappers can be a blast. The water’s a touch warmer than average at 62°F.
After that, the wind howls back for the last weekend into September. We get another bigger push of swell—up to 6ft from the WNW on the 29th—but it’s mixed with strong onshore winds and rain, making a total mess. Another washout.
This is a reef break, and it’s fairly good at catching swell, but the wind ruins most of the party. Honestly, with that steady cross-onshore and the beach/reef setup, this stretch looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. There’s just no real window until that one glassy moment.
So listen close. Circle Thursday the 27th afternoon. That’s your chance. Otherwise, save your energy.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Wed morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NW 6 | W 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 10 | W 10 | W 10 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 486 | 748 | 612 | 490 | 369 | 177 | 90 | 102 | 56 | 30 | 24 | 17 | 23 | 16 | 6 | 35 | 19 | 105 | 367 | 318 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 4:19AM2.41m | 4:44PM2.80m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 10:19AM1.06m | 11:01PM0.94m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | | |  | |
 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — |
 | 8:59 | — | — | 8:57 | — | — | 8:54 | — | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:50 | — | — | 8:47 | — | — | 8:45 | — |
mm | — | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 15 |
Feels °C | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | — | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 8 | W 8 | W 10 | WNW 5 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 10 | W 10 | W 10 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 490 | 369 | 157 | 90 | — | 56 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 35 | 19 | 105 | 367 | 318 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | — | W 11 | W 9 | W 9 | — | W 11 | WNW 12 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | 6 | — | 2 | 26 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | — | — | W 8 | NNW 6 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | — | — | NNW 8 | NNW 4 | NW 8 | NNW 3 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NW 6 | W 3 | — | — | SSW 3 | S 4 | S 3 |
| kJ | 486 | 748 | 612 | — | — | 177 | 28 | 102 | 4 | 30 | 24 | 17 | 23 | 16 | 3 | — | — | 2 | 9 | 4 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 265 | 53 | 89 | 127 | 196 | 197 | 270 | 399 | 313 | 313 | 178 | 178 | 272 | 53 | 36 | 276 | 33 | 0 | 27 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Sligo | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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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