
Surf Forecasts:
Backdoor 4 surf forecast from 28 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 30 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 30 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period, S swell with 1,612 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s 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 (Jul 30) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 2.0m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 6s 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 11s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 30) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 30) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Backdoor 4 over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming up for Backdoor 4. This is a reliable reef setup, very consistent, and it likes swell from the east. It’s an intermediate-level wave, but don’t let that fool you – when it’s on, it’s on.
We’ve got a bit of a slow start. Wednesday the 29th is a dud. Tiny, weak energy (34) and messy cross-shore wind. Nothing to bother with. You’re better off doing something else.
Thursday the 30th is where it starts to wake up. The morning brings a solid 7ft south swell, with a 10-second period, and that light offshore wind from the WSW. The water temp is about average for this time of year. The combined energy is moderate (757), and the conditions are clean. This is a proper session. The afternoon eases a bit to 5ft, but the wind goes straight offshore from the SSE. Still good, still clean.
Friday the 31st gets a bit serious. The morning swell is 7ft from the south, but the energy is strong (1872). The problem is, that’s getting too big for this break, and the wind is cross-off. It’s a bit of a toss-up, but if you’re an expert and you know the reef, the afternoon looks better. The swell drops to 7ft, the wind goes offshore from the south, and the energy is still solid (794). The wave quality is very good.
Saturday the 1st of August is a standout. The morning is magic. 5ft south swell, 10-second period, and glassy conditions. The wind is a whisper from the SW. The energy is moderate (440), but that clean, glassy surface will make it feel like a dream. This is the best on offer for the first week. The afternoon is a bit more marginal with a cross-shore wind, so get it in the morning.
Sunday the 2nd is a write-off. Onshore wind and poor conditions. The same goes for Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th – just a flat spell with weak, choppy waves. That’s a solid three-day gap with nothing.
Wednesday the 5th and Thursday the 6th are a bit better, but not great. Thursday morning sees a 6ft south swell (739 energy) but with cross-shore wind, making it bumpy. The afternoon gets a big 8ft swell (1250 energy), but it’s too big for the break again.
Now, here’s another highlight. Friday the 7th of August. The morning is glassy again, with a 6ft south-southeast swell and strong energy (851). The wind is a flat calm from the WNW. The wave quality is expected to be very good. This is the second big standout. The afternoon stays clean, too.
Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th of August are still solid. Saturday morning has 5ft swell with clean conditions. Sunday morning is a real treat – 3ft south-southeast swell, 8-second period, and glassy with no wind at all. The energy is low (203), but it’ll be a fun, mellow session.
After that, the wheels fall off. From Monday the 10th through Wednesday the 13th, it’s a long stretch of poor conditions. Strong onshore winds, lumpy, choppy, and weak swells. The afternoon of Wednesday the 12th has a 5ft swell with clean conditions, but the period is short (8 seconds), so the shape will be weak. Not worth getting excited about at this range.
To wrap it up: your best bets are the morning of Saturday the 1st of August and the morning of Friday the 7th of August. Both are glassy, clean, and have decent swell. The rest of the window is either too big, too windy, or flat.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Wed morning, light winds from the SSW by Thu night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 20°C on Mon morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | ||||||||||||||
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 17 | S 16 | S 14 | S 10 | S 9 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 9 | SSE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
13 | 23 | 5 | 4 | 753 | 425 | 1104 | 1069 | 786 | 563 | 432 | 328 | 710 | 486 | 322 | 288 | 175 | 90 | 34 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | glassy | cross | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 8:10AM1.07m | 8:08PM1.60m | 8:46AM1.11m | 8:43PM1.60m | 9:22AM1.16m | 9:17PM1.58m | 9:58AM1.20m | 9:52PM1.53m | 10:36AM1.25m | 10:28PM1.45m | 11:16AM1.29m | 11:09PM1.35m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:19AM0.21m | 1:38PM0.36m | 2:52AM0.17m | 2:16PM0.34m | 3:24AM0.14m | 2:56PM0.34m | 3:55AM0.13m | 3:36PM0.35m | 4:26AM0.13m | 4:19PM0.37m | 4:59AM0.15m | 5:08PM0.40m | |||||||
— | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 17 | 17 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 12 |
Feels °C | 9 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 18 | 17 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 8 | S 16 | ENE 6 | S 10 | S 9 | S 11 | S 11 | ENE 7 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 9 | SSE 9 |
13 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 753 | 425 | 1104 | 795 | 5 | 563 | 432 | 328 | 710 | 486 | 322 | 288 | 175 | 90 | 34 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | N 4 | S 7 | S 14 | NE 6 | NE 6 | — | ENE 7 | E 13 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SSE 14 | NE 6 | NE 4 | SE 13 | NE 4 | NE 5 | ENE 5 | SE 8 |
7 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 74 | 2 | 3 | 162 | 20 | 6 | 2 | 16 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 3 | S 17 | SE 6 | S 13 | E 13 | E 12 | — | E 13 | — | E 13 | E 12 | ENE 7 | E 12 | NE 9 | E 17 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | SE 15 | ENE 5 |
2 | 23 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | 3 | — | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 3 | NW 3 | WSW 3 | SSW 6 | — | — | — | S 11 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | NE 3 | NNE 4 | NNW 2 | NNW 2 | WSW 3 |
1 | 5 | 6 | 82 | — | — | — | 1069 | 786 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | 29 | 1 | 1 | 6 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 84 | 526 | 218 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 2 | 2 | 37 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
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.










