Surf Forecasts:
Backdoor 4 surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 9s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 11s period, SSE swell with 724 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 11s period with SSE 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. 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 1.7m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Backdoor 4 over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s break down what’s going on at Backdoor 4. Water’s sitting at about 64°, which is normal for this time of year, nothing unusual.
The first real window opens Friday, August 28th. Early morning, we’ve got clean 6ft swell from the SSE, 11-second period, and it’s glassy with a light north wind. Combined energy is 812 (moderate wave energy). The reef is very consistent, optimum swell is from the east, so this is a bit off-direction but still quality. Expect some company—crowds are possible here.
Saturday morning the 29th, it’s 4ft from the SSE, 10-second period, offshore wind from the south. Clean and fun. Sunday the 30th drops to 3ft but glassy again—good for a log. Monday the 31st morning is 4ft, 8-second period, glassy. Shorter period means a bit less push, but still rideable.
Then we hit a long dry spell. From Tuesday, September 1st through Sunday, September 6th, it’s mostly flat, small, or blown. A solid five or six days of nothing much.
Monday, September 7th morning brings a massive 12ft south swell, 10-second period, combined energy at 2581 (strong wave energy). This is heavy—experts only. Light cross-onshore wind, but at that size the reef is going to be serious.
Tuesday, September 8th morning is glassy with 8ft south swell, 12-second period, combined energy at 2406 (very strong). Again, only for those with experience. The long period will make it powerful, but at a beach break it can get a bit straight. Still, the best of the big stuff.
From Wednesday the 9th onward, it’s back to small or messy through to the 12th. A couple of clean but tiny windows on the 12th at about 3ft.
Best call: Friday August 28th morning for the all-round fun. For the big-wave crew, Tuesday September 8th morning is the one, but don’t go near it unless you’re solid.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 8 | S 11 | S 9 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 13 | ENE 10 | S 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 724 | 450 | 293 | 312 | 411 | 154 | 125 | 215 | 400 | 223 | 357 | 176 | 248 | 196 | 146 | 100 | 71 | 31 | 56 | 31 | 37 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:15PM1.57m | 8:49AM1.32m | 8:50PM1.54m | 9:24AM1.38m | 9:27PM1.47m | 10:01AM1.42m | 10:07PM1.38m | 10:41AM1.45m | 10:52PM1.27m | 11:26AM1.45m | 11:44PM1.14m | 12:20PM1.44m | 00:50AM1.03m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:59PM0.28m | 2:44AM0.10m | 2:39PM0.26m | 3:14AM0.10m | 3:21PM0.25m | 3:46AM0.12m | 4:05PM0.26m | 4:20AM0.17m | 4:55PM0.29m | 4:57AM0.24m | 5:52PM0.33m | 5:42AM0.32m | 7:00PM0.37m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — |
 | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 23 | 24 | 20 | 25 | 26 | 23 | 28 | 28 | 24 |
Feels °C | 14 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 8 | S 11 | S 9 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 13 | ENE 10 | S 11 |
| kJ | 724 | 450 | 293 | 312 | 411 | 154 | 125 | 215 | 400 | 223 | 357 | 176 | 248 | 196 | 146 | 100 | 71 | 30 | 56 | 31 | 37 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 8 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 10 | ENE 9 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 16 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 5 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | S 10 | ENE 10 |
| kJ | 26 | 26 | 26 | 35 | 123 | 120 | 117 | 25 | 90 | 188 | 165 | 121 | 38 | 37 | 18 | 33 | 33 | 31 | 31 | 18 | 32 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | ENE 8 | S 11 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | N 12 | — | ENE 10 | NE 5 | SSE 13 | NE 5 | NE 5 | SSE 12 | NE 6 |
| kJ | 62 | 26 | 38 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 21 | 25 | 17 | 28 | 25 | 3 | — | 33 | 4 | 17 | 6 | 4 | 15 | 6 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 | NNE 3 | NE 4 | NW 3 | NW 3 | NNW 3 | NNW 3 | NNW 4 | NW 4 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 2 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 12 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 2 | 2 | 37 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
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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