Backdoor 4 Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s in store for Backdoor 4 over the next couple of weeks. Fair warning, this is a lean stretch for most of it—you’re gonna have to wait a good while for anything worth paddling out for, and even then, it’s only for the experienced crew.

For the first ten days or so, it’s pretty flat and messy. There’s a little pulse around Wednesday morning the 19th with 3ft from the east-southeast, and glassy conditions making it look clean, but combined energy is weak (210) and the period is short at 7 seconds—not much push, and the surf quality is only just passable. Nothing worth writing home about. Thursday the 20th through to the end of August is a real drag: wave heights stay tiny, mostly 1ft to 3ft, winds are all over the place, and the combined energy is barely scraping into triple digits. It’s a long, flat gap with no real recommendations.

Now, late on Monday the 31st of August, things finally shake up. A solid south swell rolls in—7ft from the south, period of 10 seconds, and combined energy in the strong range (1016). Winds are cross-shore with a moderate breeze, creating a bit of chop, but the forecast notes the swell might be too big for this break. That swell keeps building: Tuesday morning the 1st of September sees 10ft from the south, 10-second period, and massive combined energy (2241)—this is very strong wave energy. Winds are light and cross-offshore, so it’s clean, but the report clearly says it’s too big for Backdoor 4. This is expert territory only, and honestly, it’s pushing limits even for them. The water temp is about 64°, slightly cooler than average for this time of year, which is noticeable but nothing wild.

The standout window comes on Wednesday afternoon the 2nd of September. Swell drops to a still-chunky 6ft from the southeast with a 10-second period, combined energy very strong (1225), winds light and cross-offshore—clean, glassy conditions. The guidance gives this a high score and says excellent conditions for experienced surfers. That’s your best shot, but only if you’ve got the skills. Crowds are possible, as this spot is sometimes busy, and it’s a very consistent reef break that loves east swell direction, though the swell is coming more from the southeast here.

Bottom line: nothing happening until the end of August, then a big, powerful south swell arrives that’s too big for most, with one solidly good window on the 2nd of September for the experts. Beginners, sit this one out entirely.

- Rusty

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