Surf Forecasts:
Backdoor 4 surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 12s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 12s period, S swell with 646 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period with ENE 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 26) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 16s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m 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 1.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Backdoor 4 over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break down Backdoor 4 for the next couple weeks.
We’re starting slow. The first real chance to paddle out hits Thursday morning, 27 August. South swell around 4-5 feet, 10 second period, light east-southeast breeze. Water temp’s about normal for the season. Combined energy sits at 414—moderate. Conditions look clean enough. It’s rideable, not epic.
Now, the morning to circle: Friday 28 August. Swell holds at 5 feet from the south, but period bumps to 12 seconds—proper groundswell. Energy jumps to 663, solid. And the wind? Dead glass. That means clean, lined-up waves with good power. Crowds are possible but for this quality, you deal with it.
Saturday 29 August morning offers small clean surf around 2-3 feet, moderate offshore breeze. Decent, but not the pick. Sunday 30 August afternoon brings back 4-5 feet south, 9 seconds, clean, energy at 344. Good afternoon session.
Monday 31 August is a weird one. Swell only 3-4 feet, but period is 17 seconds—very long groundswell. Combined energy hits 1001, strong. But wind is light cross-onshore in the morning, so it’ll have a bit of texture. That long period suits the reef, but might make things a little straight. Not perfect, but the energy is there.
Tuesday 1 September through Wednesday 2 September is small and sloppy. Not worth the effort. Thursday 3 September is tiny.
Friday 4 September sees south swell back to 4-5 feet, 11 seconds, energy at 586. Light cross-shore wind in the morning. Clean enough, but nothing special.
From Saturday 5 September onward, it’s mostly onshore winds and fading swell. The second week looks pretty quiet.
Bottom line: Friday 28 August morning is the one. Glassy, 5 foot south swell, 12 seconds, solid energy. Don’t sleep on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat night, fresh winds from the NE by Mon afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NE 6 | S 10 | S 14 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | NE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 9 | 340 | 196 | 267 | 159 | 123 | 75 | 163 | 200 | 154 | 126 | 93 | 328 | 354 | 363 | 317 | 604 | 379 | 190 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross | on | glassy | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 4:54AM0.89m | 4:58PM1.35m | 5:47AM0.94m | 5:46PM1.42m | 6:29AM1.01m | 6:27PM1.49m | 7:06AM1.09m | 7:05PM1.54m | 7:41AM1.17m | 7:40PM1.57m | 8:15AM1.25m | 8:15PM1.57m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:10PM0.46m | 10:09AM0.54m | 11:58PM0.39m | 11:07AM0.50m | 00:37AM0.32m | 11:56AM0.43m | 1:12AM0.24m | 12:39PM0.37m | 1:43AM0.18m | 1:19PM0.32m | 2:14AM0.13m | 1:59PM0.28m | 2:44AM0.10m | ||||||
 |  |  |  | | | |  |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 6 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 16 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | S 10 | S 8 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 |
| kJ | 9 | 340 | 167 | 267 | 159 | 123 | 75 | 91 | 124 | 154 | 126 | 93 | 328 | 354 | 363 | 317 | 604 | 379 | 190 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | NE 6 | S 14 | E 14 | NE 5 | — | NE 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 16 | S 11 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 15 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 3 | 6 | 196 | 4 | 24 | — | 20 | 46 | 28 | 15 | 43 | 9 | 67 | 55 | 18 | 113 | 59 | 58 | 58 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | ENE 9 | — | — | ENE 8 | E 13 | S 18 | S 16 | S 16 | S 16 | S 9 | S 14 | S 15 | S 16 | S 16 | S 14 | — | — | S 19 |
| kJ | 6 | 7 | — | — | 11 | 3 | 6 | 21 | 19 | 47 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 19 | 134 | — | — | 7 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 4 | SE 5 | E 4 | NE 5 | NE 5 | ENE 4 | ENE 6 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NW 3 | WNW 3 | S 4 | — | — | ENE 9 | NE 3 | — | — | ENE 4 |
| kJ | 6 | 22 | 13 | 49 | 31 | 37 | 63 | 163 | 200 | 5 | 2 | 22 | — | — | 84 | 6 | — | — | 9 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 110 | 37 | 37 | 37 | 2 | 231 | 20 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 2 | 0 | 270 | 0 |
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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