Surf Forecasts:
Backdoor 4 surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 11s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 11s period, S swell with 785 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 4s. 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 1.8m 11s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 8s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Backdoor 4 over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's get into it.
First off, the water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing wild. We're looking at a bit of a slow start at Backdoor 4 (reef). The first few days are flat and choppy, nothing worth paddling out for. Friday the 21st and Saturday the 22nd are a write-off – tiny, weak swell, messy wind. You'd be wasting your time.
Then, Sunday morning the 23rd shows a glimmer of hope. The wind goes glassy, and we get a pulse of 3ft swell from the south, with a period of 10 seconds. The combined energy is moderate at 235, and it's glassy. It's a decent window for a session, but the swell is still small and the window is short. By afternoon it's already getting chopped up.
The real standout is Thursday the 27th. That's the one to circle on the calendar. We're looking at a solid 6ft south swell, 11-second period, combined energy around 829 – that's strong. The wind is light and cross-offshore both morning and afternoon, keeping it clean. This is the best on offer, no question.
After that, Friday the 28th afternoon has a clean 3ft east-northeast swell with light cross-off wind, worth a look but much smaller. The weekend of the 29th and 30th sees a strong offshore wind, but it's howling at 28 mph on Saturday, making it hard to paddle into. Sunday the 30th afternoon has an 8ft east-northeast swell, but it's predicted to be too big for this break, so that's for experts only and the wind is fresh.
After that, from Monday the 31st of August through the first few days of September, we get a run of cleaner conditions with smaller, rideable swell in the 3ft to 5ft range, east-northeast to east direction, with light to gentle cross-off breezes. Consistent and fun, but nothing pumping.
Bottom line: Thursday the 27th is the one. Don't miss it.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sat morning, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 23°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NE on Mon afternoon, light winds from the NNE by Tue afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | S 10 | S 15 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
90 | 41 | 21 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 218 | 113 | 252 | 156 | 116 | 94 | 62 | 66 | 150 | 165 | 105 | 195 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | off | glassy | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:17AM0.88m | 2:54PM1.27m | 3:41AM0.86m | 4:01PM1.29m | 4:54AM0.89m | 4:58PM1.35m | 5:47AM0.94m | 5:46PM1.42m | 6:29AM1.01m | 6:27PM1.49m | 7:06AM1.09m | 7:05PM1.54m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:49AM0.53m | 10:05PM0.51m | 8:59AM0.56m | 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 | |||||||
— | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 12 | 3 | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 23 | 22 | 17 | 21 | 22 | 13 |
Feels °C | 16 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | S 10 | S 8 | S 10 | ENE 6 | S 10 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 8 |
90 | 41 | 21 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 218 | 113 | 252 | 73 | 116 | 66 | 47 | 66 | 150 | 165 | 105 | 195 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 12 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | S 8 | NE 6 | S 15 | E 14 | S 10 | S 16 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 11 | S 10 | ENE 8 |
3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 12 | 10 | 104 | 4 | 156 | 43 | 94 | 62 | 42 | 26 | 9 | 9 | 58 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | E 9 | S 18 | — | — | S 16 | — | NE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 |
3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 7 | — | — | 21 | — | 22 | 33 | 31 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 15 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNW 2 | NNW 3 | NW 3 | WNW 3 | ESE 7 | SE 3 | SE 4 | E 4 | ENE 5 | — | ENE 7 | — | — | — | NNW 3 | WSW 4 | SSW 5 | — |
— | 1 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 18 | 17 | 42 | — | 99 | — | — | — | 6 | 22 | 26 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 9 | 53 | 208 | 208 | 338 | 101 | 0 | 37 | 2 | 2 | 231 | 2 | 15 | 37 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 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.











