
Surf Forecasts:
Backdoor 4 surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period, S swell with 1,179 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s 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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 3s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Backdoor 4 in the next 16 days are 2.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Backdoor 4 over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let me break this down plain and simple. Right now, there’s nothing worth paddling out for. We’ve got a rough stretch of messy, small, and onshore junk until the end of the first week. The good news is, the second half of this forecast has some real quality on tap.
From August 9th through the 11th, it’s a write-off. Tiny swell and crappy cross-shore winds. Choppy water, no shape. Save your wax.
The 12th starts to clean up a little on Wednesday afternoon, but the swell is weak, only about 0.8m with energy around 187. Not worth a paddle.
Now, Thursday the 13th morning gets real interesting, but it’s a double-edged sword. We’ve got a big 2.1m south swell hitting Backdoor 4, with strong energy (887), and the wind is offshore—clean as a whistle. The problem is, that size is just too much for this break. The file itself says the swell is predicted to be too big. That’s expert-only territory, and even then, it’s pushing it. Beginners and intermediates, stay on the beach. The afternoon drops to 1.8m, but it’s still considered marginal.
Friday the 14th morning is where I’d point you. The swell drops to 1.7m, still from the south, with an 8-second period (so a bit short, but punchy). The wind is light offshore from the west-southwest. Clean conditions, moderate energy at 625. This is the best balance of size and quality in this first week for an intermediate-to-expert surfer.
Saturday the 15th picks up with offshore winds in the afternoon, 1.8m of south swell, but the period is short (7 seconds). Wave energy is 358. Rideable, but not the standout.
Sunday the 16th is a total dud. Tiny, long-period groundswell at 18 seconds but only 0.4m. Energy is weak (124). Not a wave you can ride with confidence.
The second week opens with a messy Monday the 17th. Skip it.
Now, Tuesday the 18th is the absolute best of the bunch. Morning session at Backdoor 4 is dreamy. You’ve got 1.6m of southeast swell with a nice 10-second period (good quality groundswell). The wind is light offshore from the south, making for clean, lined-up waves. Wave energy is 568 (moderate to strong). This is the sweet spot for the break. Crowds are common here, but when it’s this good, you’ll have company. The afternoon holds up with 1.5m and clean cross-offshore wind. This is your session.
Wednesday the 19th is another very good day. Morning offshore, 1.6m of swell, clean faces. Afternoon stays clean at 1.5m. Energy around 500. Really solid.
Thursday the 20th fades fast. Swell drops, winds go onshore. Not worth it.
Friday the 21st is messy and choppy.
The last weekend (August 22nd to 24th) offers some fun, clean waves. Saturday and Sunday see 1.3m to 1.5m of east-northeast swell with periods around 8-10 seconds. Winds are light to clean. Wave energy is moderate (260-318). Not the biggest or best of the window, but a clean, fun option. Sunday the 23rd morning is glassy—a real treat. Monday the 24th has offshore winds but a risk of thunderstorms.
So, bottom line: Tuesday 18th August at Backdoor 4 is the top pick. Wednesday 19th is a close second. For a sleeper, hit Friday morning the 14th.
Water temp is about 64°F, which is just a hair cooler than average for this time of year, nothing crazy.
That’s the scoop. Paddles up.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NW on Mon afternoon, light winds from the W by Wed morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 9 | NE 6 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 13 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | ENE 10 | S 8 | S 10 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 6 | S 6 | S 6 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
143 | 331 | 588 | 295 | 113 | 73 | 539 | 212 | 117 | 79 | 72 | 720 | 1179 | 460 | 239 | 405 | 196 | 108 | 48 | 32 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 5:11PM1.61m | 6:03AM1.06m | 6:09PM1.71m | 6:59AM1.13m | 7:02PM1.78m | 7:49AM1.20m | 7:50PM1.80m | 8:34AM1.27m | 8:36PM1.77m | 9:17AM1.32m | 9:19PM1.68m | 9:58AM1.36m | 10:01PM1.55m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:08AM0.16m | 11:31AM0.33m | 1:02AM0.07m | 12:29PM0.27m | 1:50AM-0.00m | 1:22PM0.22m | 2:33AM-0.03m | 2:12PM0.19m | 3:13AM-0.02m | 3:01PM0.20m | 3:50AM0.03m | 3:50PM0.23m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | |
5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | |
mm | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 12 | 18 | 19 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 12 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 15 | 6 | 15 | 15 | 7 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | S 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 13 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | ENE 10 | S 8 | S 10 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | ENE 10 | S 6 | S 6 |
143 | 1 | 588 | 295 | 113 | 73 | 539 | 212 | 117 | 79 | 72 | 542 | 895 | 354 | 239 | 405 | 196 | 18 | 48 | 32 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | E 14 | S 13 | S 13 | E 13 | SSW 7 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | S 13 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | S 20 | S 16 | ENE 10 | SSW 10 |
2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 41 | 71 | 45 | 52 | 68 | 3 | 51 | 29 | 29 | 17 | 18 | 125 | 44 | 19 | 34 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | S 13 | — | S 13 | S 12 | — | — | N 5 | S 11 | S 18 | S 16 | — | — | S 18 | S 17 | S 19 | ENE 10 | S 11 | S 15 | S 8 |
6 | 3 | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | 1 | 21 | 6 | 5 | — | — | 6 | 6 | 30 | 18 | 10 | 18 | 11 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 3 | NE 6 | NW 4 | NNW 5 | W 5 | W 4 | — | W 4 | NW 3 | NNW 3 | SW 5 | S 8 | S 10 | S 8 | — | — | — | SSE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 5 |
4 | 331 | 41 | 68 | 50 | 10 | — | 14 | 3 | 1 | 54 | 720 | 1179 | 460 | — | — | — | 108 | 25 | 17 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 2 | 566 | 118 | 117 | 150 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 52 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Newcastle | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Latest Updates
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.











