Surf Forecasts:
Backdoor 4 surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 9s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 12s period, SSE swell with 882 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Backdoor 4 this week:
The surf forecast for Backdoor 4 over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 15s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Backdoor 4 in the next 16 days are 1.8m 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Backdoor 4 over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's get into it.
We’re looking at a solid run of surf coming up at Backdoor 4, kicking off on Thursday, 27 August and lasting through the weekend. The pattern starts with some decent south swell and cleans up nicely as we go.
Thursday morning sees a 6ft south swell rolling in, with a 9-second period. The wind is offshore from the south at 12 mph, which is a good start, and the combined swell energy is a moderate 651. This is a very good, clean wave. The afternoon drops a touch to 6ft, the wind swings to a light cross-offshore from the southeast at 6 mph, and the energy dips to 512. Still, solid surf to be had.
Now, the standout is Friday, 28 August. Friday morning, the swell has shifted to 6ft from the SSE, with a longer 11-second period that really pushes the energy up to 813. The wind is glassy – zero from the WNW. That’s as clean as it gets. This is the best on offer, hands down. Afternoon drops a little to 5ft, with a cross-offshore breeze, but still clean.
Saturday, 29 August, holds in well. Morning sees 5ft from the SSE at 10 seconds, with a moderate offshore breeze from the SSE at 12 mph. Energy is a solid 586. This is still very good. The afternoon eases to 4ft, but remains clean with a gentle cross-offshore breeze.
Sunday, 30 August, sees the swell drop to 3ft from the south, but the morning is glassy with a light north wind. Energy is down to 272, but it’s clean and fun for a smaller board. The afternoon stays clean with a cross-offshore breeze.
Monday, 31 August, starts with a tiny 2ft groundswell from the south, but with a very long 17-second period. The morning is glassy, and the energy is a surprising 452. This is a real long-period groundswell, so it will be lining up nicely at this reef break, but expect long lulls between sets. The afternoon turns poor with a cross-onshore wind.
From Tuesday, 1 September, through to Saturday, 6 September, the surf dries up. We’re looking at small, weak waves and poor conditions. There’s a long gap of several days with no real recommendations.
The pattern picks up again on Sunday, 6 September, with a fresh offshore wind, but the swell is tiny. Monday, 7 September, shows some promise with a 4ft south swell arriving, 12-second period, and a clean cross-offshore breeze. Energy jumps to 422. This is a marginal call, but it looks like the best of the second week. After that, the surf fades again into small, unremarkable conditions through the end of the forecast.
Water temperature is about average for this time of year. Nothing unusual to report there.
So, to sum it up: get out there Friday, 28 August, for the best of the batch. Glassy, clean, and a solid 6ft SSE groundswell at Backdoor 4. That’s your wave.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri night, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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) | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 16 | S 16 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
656 | 493 | 299 | 724 | 450 | 293 | 325 | 267 | 164 | 160 | 210 | 282 | 209 | 254 | 176 | 221 | 214 | 112 | 50 | 48 | 32 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:40PM1.57m | 8:15AM1.25m | 8:15PM1.57m | 8:49AM1.32m | 8:50PM1.54m | 9:24AM1.38m | 9:27PM1.47m | 10:01AM1.42m | 10:07PM1.38m | 10:41AM1.45m | 10:52PM1.27m | 11:26AM1.45m | 11:44PM1.14m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:19PM0.32m | 2:14AM0.13m | 1:59PM0.28m | 2:44AM0.10m | 2:39PM0.26m | 3:14AM0.10m | 3:21PM0.25m | 3:46AM0.12m | 4:05PM0.26m | 4:20AM0.17m | 4:55PM0.29m | 4:57AM0.24m | 5:52PM0.33m | ||||||||
6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | |
— | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 24 | 25 | 21 | 27 | 27 | 22 |
Feels °C | 11 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 23 | 23 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 10 | S 12 | S 12 | NE 5 | S 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 |
656 | 493 | 299 | 724 | 450 | 293 | 325 | 224 | 153 | 160 | 210 | 282 | 209 | 161 | 158 | 221 | 214 | 29 | 49 | 48 | 32 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | ENE 10 | S 16 | S 16 | S 16 | ENE 11 | E 11 | S 11 | E 10 | S 10 | NE 5 |
41 | 35 | 41 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 87 | 267 | 164 | 120 | 35 | 31 | 198 | 254 | 176 | 22 | 58 | 112 | 50 | 30 | 7 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | S 14 | SSE 13 | S 14 | S 12 | S 11 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 16 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | S 18 | E 10 | NE 5 | NE 5 | S 9 |
17 | 37 | 70 | 62 | 67 | 38 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 82 | 17 | 16 | 26 | 14 | 25 | 51 | 7 | 4 | 14 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SSE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | NNE 3 | NE 4 | NW 3 | NW 3 | N 3 | NW 3 |
— | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 17 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 176 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Newcastle | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Backdoor 4 Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Backdoor 4 provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Backdoor 4 can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Backdoor 4 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 (Backdoor 4) 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 Backdoor 4 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.
Backdoor 4 is 14 km (9 miles) from the city of Catherine Hill Bay. If you plan a holiday in Newcastle, look for hotels and other accommodation in Catherine Hill Bay. Catherine Hill Bay has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











