Backdoor 4 Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.28° S 151.57° E

Backdoor 4 Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 18 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Backdoor 4 sea temperature is
17.5° C
0.8° 

Backdoor 4 surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Backdoor 4 surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period, ESE swell with 210 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period with ESE 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 19) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Backdoor 4 in the next 16 days are 1.1m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Wed 19th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 8s
Best Surf 4AM (Wed 19th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 8s
Most Powerful 4PM (Wed 19th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 10s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Backdoor 4 over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s get stuck into this one. It’s a bit of a waiting game for Backdoor 4 over the next ten days or so, but there’s a solid pay-off right at the end of the month if you’ve got patience. The water temp is sitting at about 64°F, which is pretty average for this time of year, so nothing weird going on there.

Right now, Tuesday afternoon, it’s messy. We’ve got a 4ft easterly swell with a short 7-second period, cross-shore wind, and the combined energy is only moderate. The waves are just poor. You wouldn’t bother.

Wednesday morning the 19th looks promising for a quick, cheeky session. The wind goes glassy – dead calm – and there’s a small 3ft swell from the east. The energy is moderate but it’s clean. It won’t be big, but it could be fun if you’re keen for a little glide. Wednesday afternoon the wind swings onshore and chops it up again, so that window is short.

From Thursday the 20th right through to the morning of Saturday the 29th, it’s pretty much a write-off. There’s a string of tiny swells, poor winds, and low energy – most days the wave energy sits weak. You’ll find a couple of moments where it’s glassy or clean, like Saturday morning the 22nd (1ft from the NE, glassy), but the swell is just too small to get excited about. It’s a long quiet stretch of almost ten days.

Then things finally wake up on the afternoon of Saturday the 29th of August. A proper 5ft south swell rolls in with a very long 12-second period, combined energy pumping at moderate-strong. The wind is moderate offshore from the SSW, clean. The call is “very good” and it finally feels like surf season again.

Sunday the 30th is the standout, but it’s only for experts. The morning sees an 8ft S groundswell with an 18-second period – that’s very long period, massive energy. Offshore wind, clean. But that size at Backdoor 4 is only for the experienced crew. By the afternoon it’s up to 12ft, still from the south but period dropping a little to 16 seconds. Still massive energy and clean. This is serious swell for serious surfers only.

Monday the 31st, the swell drops to a still-chunky 6ft from the south, 12-second period, and the wind goes glassy – zero. Combined energy is strong. The report says “excellent” for experienced surfers. This would be the cleaner, more manageable day after the peak, and the glassy conditions make it a real gem for those who know what they’re doing.

After that, into the first days of September, it fades back down again. Tuesday the 1st has glassy morning conditions with a 3ft south-southeast swell, 10-second period, and moderate energy. It’s okay, but nothing compared to that weekend blast. Wednesday the 2nd is small and glassy in the morning, but the afternoon turns onshore and choppy.

So, the one-two punch is the afternoon of the 29th and the Monday the 31st. The Sunday is for the hardcore only. If you want clean waves without the massive size, Monday morning the 31st with glassy conditions on a 6ft south swell is your best bet.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 21°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 23°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
ESE
8
0.7
ESE
10
1.1
ESE
10
0.8
SE
9
0.9
E
6
0.8
ENE
6
1.2
ENE
6
0.8
ENE
6
0.5
ENE
6
0.4
ENE
6
0.4
NE
6
0.4
NE
6
0.2
ENE
6
0.3
S
9
0.3
S
16
0.6
S
8
0.6
S
10
0.6
S
10
0.5
S
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
140
94
210
95
66
41
110
44
21
14
9
9
3
15
44
49
64
68
48
Wind (km/h)
10
NE
5
N
20
NE
20
NNE
10
NNE
15
NE
10
NNW
5
WNW
10
SW
10
NW
10
NNW
10
ENE
5
SSE
5
ENE
15
ENE
10
NNW
10
NNW
25
NNW
10
W
Wind State
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross
on
on
on
cross
High Tide
00:11AM1.08m
12:52PM1.32m
1:05AM0.96m
1:49PM1.28m
2:17AM0.88m
2:54PM1.27m
3:41AM0.86m
4:01PM1.29m
4:54AM0.89m
4:58PM1.35m
5:47AM0.94m
5:46PM1.42m
Low Tide
6:11AM0.39m
7:30PM0.50m
6:53AM0.47m
8:46PM0.53m
7:49AM0.53m
10:05PM0.51m
8:59AM0.56m
11:10PM0.46m
10:09AM0.54m
11:58PM0.39m
11:07AM0.50m
00:37AM0.32m
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
heavy rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:28
6:26
6:26
6:24
6:22
6:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:27
5:27
5:28
5:29
5:29
5:30
 mm
3
1
17
Temp °C
16
16
17
16
21
21
20
20
19
15
16
17
16
16
17
16
23
23
19
Feels °C
14
13
12
12
17
17
17
19
17
14
15
15
14
14
15
13
20
18
17
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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