Surf Forecasts:
Backdoor 4 surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s period, S swell with 448 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. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Backdoor 4 in the next 16 days are 1.4m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s 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 | 4AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Backdoor 4 over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let's get into it.
Alright, the next week and a half looks pretty lackluster for Backdoor 4. There’s a big gap of nothing good right now. The first real surf we see isn’t until Thursday the 27th of August. From now until then, it’s mostly onshore junk or tiny dribble, so don’t even bother paddling out.
Thursday the 27th of August is the first real sign of life. Early morning is looking the best of the whole run. We’ve got a 5ft south swell rolling in with glassy conditions – that’s a rare combo. The wind is dead calm. The combined energy is a solid moderate 398, so there’s enough push for a good session. Thursday afternoon stays clean but drops a bit to 4ft from the south with a light cross-offshore breeze.
Saturday the 29th of August offers another small window. The morning session is glassy again with a 3ft south-southeast swell. Combined energy is 263, so it’s weak-to-moderate, but the clean, glassy surface will make it fun on the longboard or a fish.
The standout of this whole forecast is Thursday the 27th of August morning. It’s not big, but the combination of a 5ft south swell with glassy conditions is as good as it gets for this stretch. For a reef break, that’s a proper clean session. After that, we get a few more days of ordinary conditions before a promising but less certain option shows up.
Saturday the 5th of September morning – that’s over a week away – there’s a 3ft south swell with a gentle offshore from the SSW and a combined energy reading of 617, which is strong. That’s the best energy of the whole run, but it’s far out and the wind could shift. Worth keeping an eye on.
Overall, don't hold your breath for the first week. Thursday the 27th is your only real quality window. The rest is for the diehards or the kite crew when the wind picks up.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 23°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNE on Mon afternoon, light winds from the WNW by Tue night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 7 | S 9 | S 8 | S 12 | S 10 | SSE 11 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 267 | 159 | 94 | 75 | 163 | 183 | 242 | 136 | 95 | 246 | 328 | 230 | 287 | 266 | 205 | 240 | 189 | 218 | 168 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | off | off | off | glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 8:49AM1.32m | 8:50PM1.54m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 2:39PM0.26m | 3:14AM0.10m | ||||||
 |  | | |  |  |  |  | |  |  | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 23 | 22 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | ENE 7 | S 10 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 7 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 10 | SSE 11 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 |
| kJ | 267 | 159 | 94 | 75 | 93 | 29 | 242 | 136 | 95 | 246 | 328 | 230 | 130 | 266 | 205 | 240 | 189 | 218 | 168 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 14 | ENE 5 | S 15 | NE 9 | S 10 | S 16 | S 9 | S 16 | S 11 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 12 | ENE 8 | S 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
| kJ | 4 | 33 | 40 | 21 | 47 | 19 | 15 | 42 | 22 | 82 | 52 | 54 | 287 | 58 | 126 | 35 | 61 | 42 | 45 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ENE 8 | — | S 18 | S 16 | — | S 16 | — | — | S 15 | S 15 | S 15 | ENE 8 | SSE 13 | — | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 16 |
| kJ | — | 6 | — | 6 | 21 | — | 46 | — | — | 17 | 18 | 38 | 82 | 33 | — | 9 | 8 | 8 | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 4 | NE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | — | WSW 3 | S 5 | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 8 | NE 4 | ENE 3 | ENE 3 | ENE 4 |
| kJ | 35 | 48 | 68 | 65 | 163 | 183 | — | 3 | 46 | — | — | — | — | — | 73 | 18 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 37 | 2 | 231 | 37 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 180 | 3 | 0 | 37 | 37 |
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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