Backdoor 4 Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Backdoor 4.

We’ve got a solid run of surf ahead, but you gotta pick your moments. This is a reef break that’s very consistent, so it’ll be pumping more often than not. The water temp is sitting at 66°, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing weird going on there.

The first wave of action kicks off Saturday the 18th of July, but honestly, it’s a bit of a tease. We’ve got clean 4ft to 5ft swell from the ESE with a short period of 7 seconds—that’s a weak, choppy energy (228 on the scale). The wind is a cross-off from the SSE, so it’s not terrible, but the waves are just kind of average. We’ll get a few, but it’s not the best the week has to offer.

Now, Sunday the 19th is where things get interesting. The swell jumps up to 7ft from the east with a 11-second period. That’s a proper groundswell, and the energy rockets up to 1214. The wind is a clean cross-off from the SE, and the morning looks cloudy but clean. The only catch? This reef might be a bit too much for the average surfer at that size. It’s big, powerful, and the wave will be jacking up fast. For the experienced crew, this is a standout. The afternoon is pretty similar at 7ft, still clean, still a beast.

Monday morning the 20th is the real hidden gem. Swell drops to 6ft from the ENE, period 11 seconds, and the wind is glass. Absolutely dead calm. The energy is still solid at 863, and the wave comment says "expect very good surf conditions." This is the best window for the average surfer who wants a proper barrel without getting pounded. The afternoon goes cross-on and gets a bit bumpy, so hit the morning.

After that, Tuesday through Thursday morning the 23rd is a bit of a letdown. Swell drops off, periods get short, and the energy craters. It’s small, weak, and not really worth the paddle. Hang tight.

Thursday afternoon the 23rd changes the game again. A new 10ft S swell slams in with a short 8-second period, but the energy is a huge 1359. The wind is a fresh offshore from the south at 19 mph, so it’ll be clean. But let’s be real—10ft on a reef is expert territory. This is for the big-wave chargers only. Friday the 24th is still massive in the morning at 8ft from the south, period 10 seconds, energy 2333, and clean. Another one for the pros.

Saturday the 25th of July is a beauty for the rest of us. The swell drops to 4ft from the south, period 10 seconds, and the wind goes glass in the morning. Energy is 484, and it’s looking clean and fun. The afternoon is a bit smaller but still surfable. This is a solid day for the intermediate surfer.

The end of July and into August gets messy. We have some strong winds and rain, and the swell bounces around from 7ft down to 2ft. The periods are short, and the energy is moderate. There is a moment on Monday the 27th afternoon where the wind goes offshore and the swell is 4ft with a 11-second period—that’s clean and workable, but nothing special.

Saturday the 1st of August is a weird one. Morning is flat with a tiny 0.7ft swell, but the afternoon bombs out at 10ft from the ENE with a short period—that’s messy and probably just a close-out.

The best bet for the second week is Sunday the 2nd of August. Morning swell is 6ft from the ENE, period 10 seconds, energy 699, and the wind is a slight air from the SW. The wave comment says "expect very good surf conditions." This is a solid, clean wave that should offer some fun barrels for the good surfers. It’s a week and a half out, so keep an eye on it, but it’s promising.

Standout moments: Sunday the 19th for the big-wave crew, and Monday morning the 20th for the clean, glassy, manageable size. For the second week, Sunday the 2nd of August is the one to watch.

Rusty.

Read more