Surf Forecasts:
Backdoor 4 surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, S swell with 3,093 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 16 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 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 (Sep 16) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 14s 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 3.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 23) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Backdoor 4 over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty, checking in from the North Shore. We've got one spot on the radar, and it's a big one: Backdoor 4.
Let’s be straight up. The next week is a monster. We're looking at a massive south swell hitting on Wednesday the 16th, with wave heights around 12 ft and a period of 10 seconds. The combined energy is absolutely pumping, registering at 2232 on the charts. This is expert territory only – if you're a beginner, sit this one out. The wind is a strong cross-off at 22 mph, which will keep things clean, but paddling into these beasts will be a battle. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no major surprises there.
The swell sticks around through Thursday the 17th, still with a solid 10 ft in the morning, easing to 7 ft in the afternoon. Thursday afternoon actually looks like the pick of the early period – still a heavy 7 ft south swell, but the wind swings to a gentler 9 mph cross-off, making it cleaner. The energy drops to a still-strong 895.
After that, it fades fast. Friday the 18th sees the swell drop to 5 ft, but the wind turns cross-on, and the quality plummets. We hit a real flat spell from Saturday the 19th through to around Tuesday the 29th. The surf is tiny, mostly under 3 ft, with onshore winds and weak energy readings mostly in the low hundreds. There are a few clean mornings on the 19th and 20th, but with swell around 3 ft, it's barely rideable. This is a proper dry spell.
Now, looking way out to Tuesday the 29th of September, there's a glimmer. A new 5 ft swell from the ENE shows up, with a moderate 16 mph offshore wind from the SSE. The energy bumps to 260, and the forecast says "expect good surf conditions." It's a long way off, so don't bank on it, but it's the only light in the tunnel after a long, flat week.
So, the only true standout here is Thursday afternoon, September 17th at Backdoor 4. That 7 ft south swell, clean cross-off wind, and dropping energy make it the best bet for the crew who can handle it. For everyone else, it's a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri morning, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Wed afternoon, calm by Fri morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 28°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat night, fresh winds from the S by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | Tuesday 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) | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 19 | S 17 | S 10 | S 12 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | S 7 | SSE 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2222 | 2738 | 3093 | 2010 | 944 | 528 | 390 | 340 | 211 | 148 | 111 | 66 | 244 | 186 | 212 | 125 | 178 | 310 | 285 | 388 | 265 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | off | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:13AM1.40m | 11:39PM1.01m | 11:59AM1.34m | 00:34AM0.92m | 12:54PM1.27m | 1:48AM0.86m | 2:04PM1.24m | 3:16AM0.87m | 3:16PM1.25m | 4:27AM0.92m | 4:18PM1.29m | 5:17AM1.00m | 5:08PM1.36m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:51PM0.39m | 5:18AM0.46m | 6:50PM0.46m | 6:02AM0.53m | 8:02PM0.50m | 7:03AM0.59m | 9:21PM0.50m | 8:23AM0.62m | 10:27PM0.45m | 9:41AM0.59m | 11:15PM0.38m | 10:43AM0.53m | 11:53PM0.30m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  |  |  |  | |
 | 5:52 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — |
 | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 23 | 28 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
Feels °C | 4 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 16 | 20 | 23 | 15 | 13 | 8 | 10 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 12 | ENE 13 | E 13 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 8 | S 17 | S 10 | S 12 | S 10 | S 11 | S 19 | S 19 |
| kJ | 6 | 16 | 3 | 1667 | 944 | 528 | 390 | 340 | 211 | 148 | 111 | 66 | 244 | 111 | 212 | 125 | 178 | 175 | 149 | 62 | 265 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 15 | — | — | E 13 | S 19 | E 13 | SE 7 | S 18 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 15 | S 17 | S 17 | S 19 | S 7 | NW 3 | NE 4 | NE 5 | E 11 | E 11 | S 10 |
| kJ | 4 | — | — | 3 | 7 | 3 | 53 | 150 | 41 | 22 | 74 | 52 | 50 | 186 | 25 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 71 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | — | — | — | E 13 | S 19 | S 18 | E 12 | S 16 | S 15 | SE 8 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | S 13 | S 10 | S 16 | E 11 | — | — | — | E 11 |
| kJ | 22 | — | — | — | 3 | 7 | 60 | 3 | 122 | 74 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 13 | 52 | 21 | 2 | — | — | — | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | — | — | — | ESE 7 | WSW 2 | WNW 3 | — | — | — | ENE 3 | — | SW 3 | SSE 4 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | S 7 | SSE 7 |
| kJ | 2222 | 2738 | 3093 | 2010 | — | — | — | 66 | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | 8 | — | 2 | 24 | 310 | 285 | 388 | 248 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 168 | 781 | 787 | 168 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 37 | 2 | 0 | 37 | 1 | 0 | 37 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 176 | 176 |
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.
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