Backdoor 4 Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.28° S 151.57° E

Backdoor 4 Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 03 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Backdoor 4 sea temperature is
17.9° C
0.5° 

Backdoor 4 surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Backdoor 4 surf forecast from 3 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 6 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s period, S swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 3 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 11s period, SE swell with 187 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Thursday (Aug 06) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m 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 0.9m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Thu 6th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 8s
Best Surf10AM (Thu 6th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 8s
Most Powerful 7PM (Mon 3rd Aug)3ft (0.9m) 11s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Backdoor 4 over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright surfers, Rusty here. We’ve got a mixed bag of a forecast for the next couple of weeks. The first few days are a write-off, but there’s a couple of windows that could be worth a look if you’re patient.

Overall Pattern

The week kicks off with a flat spell. Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th are basically a no-go with tiny, weak swell and unfriendly winds. We’re talking about a frustrating few days where the ocean just isn’t cooperating. The first real chance of anything surfable comes Thursday morning, the 6th, but it’s not going to set the world on fire. The real standout action is looking like it’s a long way off, around the 14th and 15th of August, but that comes with a major caveat for Backdoor 4.

Thursday 6th August – Monday 10th August

Thursday morning the 6th is the first time we see a pulse of energy. The water temp is sitting at 64°, which is about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there. We’ve got a 3 ft south swell rolling in with a period of 8 seconds, and the combined energy is moderate at 106. The real winner here is the wind – glassy, absolute perfection. The waves will be small, but clean. By Friday the 7th, the swell stays similar at 3 ft from the south, but the energy picks up a bit to 123. The morning is clean with a cross-offshore breeze, and by the afternoon we get a proper offshore wind from the SSE, making for some tidy conditions. Saturday the 8th morning is also glassy, but the swell has dropped to 2 ft. The energy is back down to 88. Small, clean, but very small. Honestly, none of this is a real standout. It’s just getting your feet wet.

The Big, Bumpy, and Dangerous

Now, let’s talk about the main event. Friday the 14th of August. A massive 8 ft south swell is forecast to hit, with a period of 9 seconds and a combined energy reading of 1143 – that’s strong to very strong wave energy. This is a serious amount of water. The wind is onshore in the morning, which is a mess, but the biggest problem is the size. At 8 ft, this is strictly for experts only. It’s too big for most, and the reef at Backdoor 4 is not going to be forgiving. This is a big, powerful, dangerous day. Do not go near it if you’re not a pro.

The Silver Lining: Saturday 15th August

The best of the bunch looks like Saturday the 15th of August. The swell has dropped to a much more manageable 5 ft from the south, with a period of 8 seconds and a combined energy of 372 – still strong, but not life-threatening. The wind is forecast to be light and offshore from the SSW. This is the key. Clean, offshore wind and a solid head-high swell. The water is still cool, but the conditions are shaping up for a proper session. The crowd profile for Backdoor 4 is ‘sometimes’, so expect a few others in the lineup, but it’s a well-known spot. This is one to circle on the calendar. The swell direction is from the south, which is right in the pocket for this exposed east-facing reef, so it should be firing.

The Rest of the Week & Beyond

Sunday the 16th is still rideable, with 4 ft of south swell, but the wind swings onshore with rain showers, making things messy. After that, the swell drops back down to ankle-snappers for the final days of the forecast period. The 17th and 18th of August look like small, clean days with 2 ft swell, but nothing to get excited about.

Summary

If you can wait, target Saturday the 15th of August. That’s the day the stars align: a decent south swell, clean offshore wind, and a size that’s fun for the experienced surfer. The 14th is a monster that’s only for the brave. The rest of the time, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon morning, min 9°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
SE
11
1.1
SE
11
0.6
SE
10
0.4
SE
10
0.3
ESE
7
0.2
E
11
0.4
E
10
0.4
E
9
0.8
S
8
0.8
S
8
0.8
S
8
0.9
S
9
0.8
S
9
0.7
S
9
0.8
S
9
0.6
S
8
0.7
NE
7
1.4
NE
6
1
ENE
7
0.9
ENE
7
0.9
ENE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
273
254
87
25
9
9
31
27
76
84
89
132
104
76
99
47
50
167
96
91
135
Wind (km/h)
15
N
25
NNW
15
W
10
W
10
SE
20
W
15
W
15
E
15
W
5
WNW
15
ENE
10
WNW
10
SSW
15
SSE
5
W
0
SE
15
ENE
25
NNE
20
N
30
NNW
35
WNW
Wind State
on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
glassy
cross
cross
cross-off
off
cross
glassy
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
11:16AM1.29m
11:09PM1.35m
12:01PM1.32m
11:57PM1.24m
12:52PM1.35m
00:55AM1.12m
1:51PM1.39m
2:10AM1.03m
2:58PM1.44m
3:35AM0.98m
4:07PM1.52m
4:56AM1.00m
5:11PM1.61m
Low Tide
5:08PM0.40m
5:35AM0.19m
6:03PM0.43m
6:16AM0.25m
7:10PM0.45m
7:05AM0.31m
8:28PM0.44m
8:05AM0.36m
9:51PM0.38m
9:15AM0.39m
11:06PM0.28m
10:26AM0.38m
00:08AM0.16m
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:43
6:43
6:41
6:41
6:39
6:39
6:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:15
5:15
5:16
5:17
5:17
5:19
5:20
 mm
Temp °C
21
21
17
17
18
13
15
15
13
13
14
13
13
14
14
14
16
15
19
19
15
Feels °C
16
15
13
12
14
8
13
10
8
10
10
9
10
11
13
12
12
10
14
13
8
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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