Backdoor 4 Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Backdoor 4. This is a reef break, exposed to the open ocean, and it’s very consistent, so it’s always got potential. But we’ve got a bit of a wait before the real action kicks in.

The first few days are a write-off. Monday the 27th of July starts with a tiny bit of swell, but the wind is all over the place. Monday morning is glassy with a 3.9ft south swell, but the energy is low (243), and it’s not enough to get excited about. By Monday afternoon and through Tuesday and Wednesday, the swell drops right off and the wind chops it up. You’re looking at a few days of nothing really worth paddling out for.

Then, things start to get interesting. Thursday the 30th of July morning brings a big pulse of swell – 8.2ft from the south, period of 10 seconds. The wave energy is massive (1945), but frankly, that’s too much juice for this spot. It’s going to be a washing machine, only for the experts. The real standout for that day is Thursday afternoon. The swell drops to a solid 6.2ft from the south, the wind swings offshore from the SSE, and the energy is still strong (629). That’s clean, powerful surf. That afternoon session is the pick of the first week.

Friday the 31st of July is another cracker. Morning has a 5.9ft south swell (692 energy) with a cross-offshore breeze, and the afternoon goes full offshore from the south with a 5.6ft swell (562 energy). Both sessions are clean, consistent, and the wave quality will be excellent. This is a prime window for intermediate surfers. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.

The first weekend of August is decent but quieter. Saturday the 1st has 4.6ft and 4.3ft south swells, clean, with light winds. Sunday the 2nd morning is glassy with a 3.9ft swell from the SSE, which is a lovely way to start the day. The energy is moderate (250), so it’s fun but not pumping.

We hit a another flat spell from the 3rd to the 4th of August. The wind is onshore or cross-shore, and the swell is small and weak. Not worth the drive.

The next big highlight is Tuesday the 4th of August afternoon. The swell jumps back up to 6.6ft from the south, with a clean offshore wind. The energy is strong (830). That’s a proper session. Wednesday the 5th of August morning is another monster – 7.9ft from the south (2108 energy) – but like the 30th, that’s getting too big for this break. The afternoon session on Wednesday the 5th is a better bet, with 6.2ft from the south and offshore winds, delivering excellent surf.

The second week gets a bit messy. Thursday the 6th and Friday the 7th have moderate-sized surf (6.2ft to 5.2ft) but the wind is mixed, and the period is short (8 seconds), making for choppy, less powerful waves. Saturday the 8th of August morning looks glassy with a 7.5ft swell from the SSE (1460 energy), but again, that’s expert-only territory. After that, from the 9th onward, the wind turns onshore and the swell fades out. The final days of the outlook are a bust.

So, for the best on offer, you’re looking at Thursday 30th July afternoon and Friday 31st July all day – that’s your cleanest, most powerful, and most consistent window. The Tuesday 4th August afternoon and Wednesday 5th August afternoon are also standouts in the second week, but remember, long-range forecasts can shift. Crowds are possible at Backdoor 4, but with this quality, it’ll be worth sharing the lineup.

Stay stoked, and see you out there.

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