Surf Forecasts:
Back Strands surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 10s period, W swell with 1,184 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period with W 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 (Aug 16) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 7s. 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 2.4m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) 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 0.3m 2s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Back Strands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’ve got a 16-day window for Back Strands, and honestly, the first week plus is a write-off. The surf is small, the wind is all over the place, and it’s just not doing anything for us. There’s a solid gap from now until the 25th of August where you’d be better off doing something else.
We start seeing a glimmer of hope on the morning of the 25th. The swell is still tiny at 2.6ft from the WNW, but a glassy dawn with light ESE air will have it looking clean. The energy is weak (126), but it’s a start. The 27th of August is where it begins to get interesting. Thursday morning gets a clean 3.6ft W swell with a light offshore from the ESE (234 energy). The afternoon picks up to 3.6ft with a 11-second period from the west, and a light SSE cross-offshore breeze keeping it clean. The energy bumps up to 269, and the conditions are good.
The real standout, the one you’ve been waiting for, is the morning of the 30th of August. We’ve got a 6.6ft W groundswell pushing in with a solid 10-second period, and the wind is dead calm. Glassy, clean, and pumping with 808 energy. This is a big swell, borderline for the average joe, but for anyone with a bit of experience, it’s going to be firing. The direction is a perfect match for the break, and with no wind, you’ll be surfing pure, lined-up waves. The morning of the 31st holds similar size at 6.9ft, but that cross-onshore breeze will mess with the shape a bit, so the 30th is the clear winner.
The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no nasty surprises. Just get ready for that Sunday morning session.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Sat night, fresh winds from the W by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Wed morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Tue night, light winds from the NNW by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | W 6 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | NW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 6 | W 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 37 | 29 | 69 | 89 | 61 | 158 | 239 | 465 | 818 | 1184 | 884 | 471 | 294 | 137 | 88 | 41 | 21 | 25 | 11 | 9 | 7 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:54AM3.26m | 9:09PM3.67m | 9:31AM3.13m | 9:47PM3.35m | 10:09AM2.95m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:43PM0.20m | 3:18AM0.25m | 3:22PM0.41m | 3:54AM0.51m | 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 | ||||||||
 | |  | | |  |  | |  |  | | | |  |  | |  | | | |  | |
 | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:04 | — | — | 9:01 | — | 8:59 | — | — | 8:57 | — | — | 8:54 | — | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:50 | — |
mm | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | 4 | 1 | — | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 11 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | W 6 | W 8 | NW 7 | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 10 | — | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 8 | NW 7 | W 8 | NW 5 |
| kJ | 37 | 29 | 69 | 2 | 61 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 471 | — | 137 | 88 | 41 | 21 | 5 | 11 | 1 | 4 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 7 | W 10 | — | NW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 |
| kJ | — | 9 | 18 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 7 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NW 7 | — | N 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 12 | — | W 8 | W 10 | W 9 |
| kJ | — | — | 8 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 2 | S 3 | W 4 | W 8 | — | W 7 | W 7 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 10 | — | NW 9 | NNW 4 | — | N 3 | N 3 | NW 7 | — | NW 6 | — |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 7 | 89 | — | 158 | 239 | 465 | 818 | 1184 | 884 | — | 294 | 7 | — | 2 | 6 | 25 | — | 9 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 7 | 53 | 27 | 12 | 424 | 313 | 265 | 53 | 127 | 243 | 203 | 159 | 415 | 313 | 178 | 189 | 270 | 117 | 243 | 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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