Surf Forecasts:
Backdoor 4 surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 10s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 11s period, S swell with 300 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 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 0.6m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 7s. 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 1.1m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Backdoor 4 over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, breaking it down in the old units.
We’re looking at a pretty quiet stretch for Backdoor 4. Honestly, for the first week, there’s hardly anything to get excited about. The surf is small and the wind is all over the place. The best we’ve got is a tiny window of clean, glassy conditions early on Sunday the 23rd, but the swell is only 3ft from the south, with a period of 10 seconds. The combined energy is weak (148), so it’s not exactly gonna be a session to write home about. It’s surfable, but just barely.
After that, we hit a long gap with no real recommendations. The wind is messy, mostly onshore or cross-onshore, and the swell stays small and weak. The next time we see a bit of a pulse is around the 1st of September. The size picks up to 4ft, but the wind is still a problem. The water temp is about 63°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so nothing weird there.
The one standout, if you can call it that, comes on Wednesday the 2nd of September. The swell bumps up to 4ft to 5ft from the east-northeast, with a period of 10 to 11 seconds. That’s a longer period groundswell, which means better shape and more energy. The combined energy jumps to 555, which is moderate but solid. The wind is light cross-shore in the morning, which is decent. But keep in mind, this is a reef break, and with that longer period, the waves might draw a bit too straight, but it’s the best we’ve got in the whole outlook. It’s not a world-beater, but if you’re desperate, that’s your window.
Crowds are possible, as it’s a very consistent spot, and the break is exposed. For the rest of the time, it’s a real struggle. Nothing else is worth paddling out for. Forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a lean run.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 21°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue morning, strong winds from the S by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 8 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | S 10 | S 8 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 65 | 80 | 93 | 44 | 21 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 130 | 111 | 210 | 125 | 138 | 98 | 87 | 90 | 79 | 82 | 56 | 52 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 1:49PM1.28m | 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 | 8:46PM0.53m | 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 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 17 | 2 | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 11 | 6 | 8 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | SE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | S 10 | S 8 | S 10 | ENE 6 | S 10 | ENE 6 | S 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SE 6 |
| kJ | 28 | 22 | 93 | 44 | 21 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 130 | 111 | 210 | 62 | 138 | 38 | 87 | 90 | 79 | 82 | 56 | 34 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | E 10 | S 13 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | S 6 | SSW 6 | ESE 3 | NE 7 | S 15 | ENE 8 | S 10 | S 16 | S 10 | ENE 6 | S 9 | S 8 | S 10 | S 9 | S 6 |
| kJ | 65 | 8 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 11 | 71 | 7 | 125 | 20 | 98 | 19 | 58 | 35 | 7 | 7 | 36 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | — | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | E 9 | S 19 | — | E 14 | S 16 | E 13 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | S 16 | S 16 | S 16 | S 16 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 2 | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 7 | — | 4 | 21 | 3 | 20 | 47 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 52 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | ENE 6 | — | — | N 4 | NW 3 | NW 3 | ESE 2 | S 8 | S 4 | E 4 | ENE 5 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | — | — | S 3 | S 4 | SSE 6 | SSE 5 | — |
| kJ | 52 | 80 | — | — | 6 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 33 | 8 | 16 | 44 | 92 | 78 | — | — | 3 | 5 | 91 | 51 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 111 | 2 | 2 | 101 | 208 | 208 | 338 | 3 | 0 | 37 | 3 | 2 | 180 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 117 | 151 | 270 | 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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