Surf Forecasts:
Backdoor 4 surf forecast from 11 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 15 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, S swell with 2,666 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s 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 Wednesday (Jul 15) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 8s period. 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 4.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) 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 1.0m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 12) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Backdoor 4 over the next 16 days.
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks. We’re talking about Backdoor 4, that reef setup that’s very consistent and exposed to the east. There’s a bit of a quiet start, but the real action is further out.
Right now, it’s a slow-go. The first half of July is pretty flat and messy. Saturday the 11th is a write-off with a weak 3ft ESE swell and a cross-on breeze, so we’re looking at a few days of nothing much. The energy is weak (411) and the water temp is sitting at 66.2°, which is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual. We’ve got a gap of several days here with no real recommendations.
The real story unfolds from Wednesday the 15th. That morning, a solid 13ft S swell rolls in, but it’s packing a ton of energy (2666), and that’s simply too big for this spot. The wind is offshore, which would be perfect if it wasn’t so oversized. It’s the same story through Thursday and the weekend. That swell hangs around, but it’s consistently over 8ft, so this is strictly for experts only, and even then, it’s pushing the limits. The wind is mostly offshore or clean cross-off, which is a major positive, but that size is a beast.
The real standout, the one that gets my blood pumping, is Thursday the 23rd of July. The morning session is looking mint. We’ve got a 6.6ft S swell, but the combined energy is still strong (1176), and the wind is a light cross-off, keeping things clean. The break is a reef, so that long period groundswell (9 seconds) will really shape up nicely. The afternoon is even better for the more experienced crew: a 4.3ft E swell with a 12-second period, and glassy conditions. That’s the pick of the whole forecast. The water is still around average temp, so just a normal summer suit.
Later on, the 24th and 25th get a bit lumpy again with onshore winds, and the 26th is just a marginal cross-shore mess. So, if you’ve got the skills, lock in the 23rd of July. It’s the only true standout in this window.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Sat morning, fresh winds from the WNW by Sun morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Tue night, light winds from the SSW by Thu morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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) | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | S 11 | S 12 | WNW 4 | S 11 | S 17 | W 3 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 8 | SE 7 | SE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 210 | 234 | 261 | 109 | 51 | 32 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 22 | 3 | 2666 | 1934 | 783 | 558 | 499 | 623 | 477 | 404 | 513 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 5:24PM1.64m | 6:06AM1.07m | 6:19PM1.74m | 7:08AM1.11m | 7:13PM1.82m | 8:03AM1.14m | 8:04PM1.86m | 8:55AM1.18m | 8:54PM1.85m | 9:44AM1.21m | 9:42PM1.79m | 10:32AM1.23m | 10:29PM1.67m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:39AM0.30m | 00:15AM0.17m | 11:38AM0.28m | 1:13AM0.06m | 12:36PM0.26m | 2:06AM-0.02m | 1:30PM0.24m | 2:56AM-0.06m | 2:23PM0.23m | 3:43AM-0.06m | 3:15PM0.24m | 4:28AM-0.02m | 4:07PM0.28m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | | | |  |  | | |  | |  | | | | |
 | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — |
 | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:05 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 6 |
Temp °C | 15 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 11 | 18 | 19 | 13 | 19 | 20 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 13 | 14 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 13 | 14 | 7 | 13 | 15 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | SSW 5 | S 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 11 | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 6 | — | S 16 | S 15 | E 9 | S 14 | S 13 | S 8 | ESE 9 | E 9 |
| kJ | 197 | 132 | 261 | 109 | 51 | 11 | 24 | 14 | 23 | 9 | 4 | 24 | — | 5 | 5 | 83 | 15 | 30 | 51 | 404 | 386 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | S 15 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | S 12 | SE 8 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 11 | — | — | — | S 14 | — | — | S 12 | S 18 | S 6 |
| kJ | 210 | 234 | 4 | 26 | 13 | 32 | 7 | 11 | 2 | 9 | 8 | 41 | — | — | — | 16 | — | — | 46 | 6 | 75 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | NE 5 | SE 8 | S 11 | ESE 8 | E 10 | S 21 | S 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 18 | S 11 |
| kJ | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 7 | 2 | 8 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 37 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNW 3 | WNW 4 | WSW 4 | W 4 | WNW 4 | NW 3 | WNW 4 | NW 3 | WNW 3 | W 3 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 8 | SE 7 | SE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | S 12 | ESE 8 |
| kJ | — | — | 3 | 10 | 10 | 16 | 7 | 2 | 11 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 2666 | 1934 | 783 | 558 | 499 | 623 | 477 | 224 | 513 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 3 | 2 | 40 | 3 | 20 | 11 | 57 | 150 | 218 | 150 | 3 | 168 | 215 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 0 | 141 | 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.
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