Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 2 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, W swell with 4,409 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 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 Saturday (Sep 05) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 10s 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 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) 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 0.9m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1PM (Sat 5th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Sat 5th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s on the table for Back Strands over the next couple of weeks. Honestly, it’s a tough stretch with a whole lot of average to poor conditions, but there are a couple of sweet spots to keep an eye on.
Right now, we are in a quiet patch. The first few days are a write-off with small, weak, and messy surf – not worth suiting up for. We don't really see anything decent until the 5th, and even then, it's just a marginal improvement.
So, the first real chance comes on Saturday the 5th. Morning is still looking ordinary with waves around 5 ft from the W, but it’s just a bit lumpy. The afternoon is where it gets interesting. A clean 4 ft swell from the WNW is wrapping in with a nice offshore SSE breeze at 12 mph. The wave energy is moderate, and while it's not gonna blow your mind, it will be clean and surfable. This is a hopeful sign for a decent session.
Now, if you can wait, the standout of the entire forecast is Thursday the 10th. The morning is looking absolutely magic. We have a 5 ft groundswell from the west with a 9-second period, and the wind is glassy out of the SE at just 3 mph. The energy is moderate and the comment says to expect good surf – and with glass like that, it will be as clean as it gets. That is the session to circle on the calendar. The water is a touch warmer than normal at 62°, so not bad for early September.
After that, it gets messy again. The 12th has another clean afternoon with 4 ft from the W and a gentle cross-off breeze, but the swell is inconsistent and the quality is just okay. Then we get a big pulse of swell around the 13th and 14th, with waves hitting over 8 ft from the WNW, but the wind is onshore and messy. Short period and strong onshore winds mean it’ll be a washing machine. That kind of size with those winds is really only for the brave.
The second week is a bit of a write-off otherwise – mostly small, windy, or choppy. The glassy morning on the 10th is your best bet, and the Saturday the 5th afternoon is the next best.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Thu night, light winds from the S by Sat morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Sun night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Sat afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Sun afternoon, strong winds from the WSW by Mon afternoon). | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | ||||||||||||||
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 7 | W 6 | W 7 | WSW 9 | W 10 | W 13 | W 12 | W 12 | W 10 | WNW 10 | W 9 | W 8 | WSW 10 | W 6 | W 8 | WSW 8 | W 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 40 | 92 | 102 | 258 | 867 | 4409 | 2789 | 1488 | 562 | 240 | 99 | 35 | 127 | 83 | 365 | 871 | 1357 | 1780 | 1654 | 1177 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 9:51PM3.18m | 10:19AM2.95m | 10:42PM2.89m | 11:18AM2.76m | 11:53PM2.61m | 12:40PM2.65m | 1:30AM2.47m | 2:18PM2.72m | 3:09AM2.55m | 3:39PM3.00m | 4:20AM2.77m | 4:39PM3.34m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:57AM0.55m | 4:17PM0.73m | 4:47AM0.81m | 5:22PM0.97m | 5:58AM1.05m | 7:02PM1.11m | 7:40AM1.13m | 8:53PM0.99m | 9:13AM0.98m | 10:09PM0.69m | 10:16AM0.72m | 11:03PM0.38m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | |  | |  | | | | |  |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — |
 | 8:23 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:08 | — |
mm | 1 | 1 | — | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 2 | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
Feels °C | 16 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 13 | 9 | 13 | 12 | 16 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | NNW 11 | W 7 | NW 10 | N 10 | — | — | — | W 10 | WNW 10 | W 9 | W 8 | — | WSW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 40 | 11 | 102 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | 562 | 240 | 99 | 35 | — | 31 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 9 | — | NNW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 3 | — | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 3 | W 6 | — | WSW 9 | W 10 | W 13 | W 12 | W 12 | — | SSE 3 | S 3 | S 4 | WSW 10 | W 6 | W 8 | WSW 8 | W 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 |
| kJ | 2 | 92 | — | 258 | 867 | 4409 | 2789 | 1488 | — | 2 | 8 | 19 | 127 | 83 | 365 | 871 | 1357 | 1780 | 1654 | 1177 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 53 | 53 | 14 | 567 | 292 | 614 | 292 | 36 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 61 | 27 | 416 | 149 | 534 | 512 | 292 | 794 | 721 |
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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