Back Strands Surf Break

Lat Long: 54.45° N 8.49° W

Back Strands Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 pm 10 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Back Strands sea temperature is
16.1°C
1.9° 

Back Strands surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Back Strands surf forecast from 10 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 11s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 12s period, WNW swell with 1,082 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 11s 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 Sunday (Sep 13) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. 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 1.9m 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) 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 1.0m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 12) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (IST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Sun 13th Sep)4ft (1.2m) 11s
Best Surf 7AM (Sun 13th Sep)4ft (1.2m) 11s
Most Powerful 1AM (Fri 18th Sep)6ft (1.9m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming our way for the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, the outlook kicks off with a bit of a struggle. The first real swell window is far off, so we’ve got a long gap with pretty ordinary conditions. The water temp is sitting at 61°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – nice to feel that extra bit of warmth when you’re sitting out there.

The standout window is the last few days of the forecast, particularly the 23rd of September. That morning and afternoon at Back Strands is looking like the absolute pick of the bunch. We’re talking a solid 13ft swell rolling in from the west, with a period of 13 seconds – that’s proper long-period groundswell, full of energy and shape. The wind is glassy in the afternoon, and the water will be clean. The combined energy is massive, clocking in at 4617 – that’s some serious power. This is definitely for experienced surfers only; it’s going to be too big for beginners, and you’ll want to be on your game. The swell is coming straight from the west, which is the ideal direction for this reef set-up.

The 22nd of September is also worth a mention, especially the Tuesday morning. An 8ft west-northwest swell with a 13-second period, light offshore wind from the south, and clean conditions. The energy is still strong at 2318, and looks excellent for experienced surfers.

The 24th and 25th of September are also very good, with clean conditions and offshore or glassy winds, but the swell is dropping off slightly, so the 23rd is the true high point.

There are a few sessions in the first week that are surfable, like the morning of the 13th of September with a glassy 3ft swell, or the afternoon of the 14th with a clean 4ft swell, but they are ordinary and nothing to get too excited about. Most other days are plagued by strong winds, choppy conditions, and poor surf.

One thing to mention: the 18th of September morning offers a 8ft swell with clean conditions and moderate cross-offshore wind, but the swell is big and the wind is moderate – it’s marginal, so it’s one for the keen and skilled.

So, mark your calendar for the 23rd of September. That’s the one to aim for. A classic late-season groundswell with perfect conditions. Don’t sleep on the 22nd either, if you want a slightly less heavy session.

Keep an eye on the forecast – it’s a long way out, so things could shift, but right now it’s looking like a cracking end to the run.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 30mm), heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Thu afternoon, calm by Sun morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 44mm), heaviest during Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the NNW by Tue night).

Thu
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
WSW
12
1.2
W
10
1.3
W
8
1.3
W
9
1.6
WNW
13
2
W
12
1.8
WNW
12
1.3
WNW
12
1
WNW
11
0.9
WNW
10
0.7
WNW
9
0.8
W
7
1.1
W
11
1.3
W
11
0.9
W
10
1.3
WNW
10
1.7
WNW
11
1.7
WNW
10
1.4
WNW
10
1.1
W
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
462
288
239
269
823
1066
897
446
218
137
73
70
282
375
165
356
679
659
386
194
Wind (km/h)
35
WSW
30
WNW
20
WSW
10
SW
35
S
25
SW
15
WSW
15
W
5
SE
5
SSW
15
SSE
20
S
15
SSW
25
SSW
20
W
30
WNW
35
NW
30
NW
25
W
30
WSW
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
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
9:26AM3.07m
9:44PM2.87m
Low Tide
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
3:27PM0.65m
3:40AM0.79m
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
heavy rain
light rain
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
light rain
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:58
7:00
7:01
7:03
7:05
7:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:04
8:00
7:59
7:55
7:53
7:51
7:49
 mm
1
1
25
3
19
20
2
1
2
1
4
Temp °C
16
14
15
16
17
18
17
16
16
18
18
18
17
16
14
15
14
12
13
14
Feels °C
11
10
11
13
14
16
15
16
16
18
17
17
16
14
11
10
8
6
8
9
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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