
Surf Forecasts:
Backdoor 4 surf forecast from 28 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 31 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 12s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 15s period, SSE swell with 1,275 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 10s 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 (Jul 30) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 6s. 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 1.7m 15s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 30) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Backdoor 4 over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, givin' you the lowdown on the next 16 days for Backdoor 4. It's a reef setup, and this spot usually pumps out waves, but you gotta watch the crowds. Water temp is sittin' right around 65°, which is dead average for this time of year – no weird warm or cold spike.
The first few days are a total bust. Tuesday the 28th and Wednesday the 29th are flat with funky, side-on winds. Ain't worth paddling out. The energy is weak, barely a whisper.
Then Thursday the 30th, we get a spark. The morning brings a clean, light cross-offshore breeze and a 7ft south swell with a 10-second period. The energy's got some punch at 874. That's your first real look. The afternoon's a little smaller, 5ft, but still clean.
Friday the 31st of July is the big one. The morning shows a 7ft south swell with light offshore winds, but the call is that it's just too big for this break. You're talkin' a heavy, powerful wave for the brave only. The afternoon cleans up with a 6ft south swell and offshore wind, and the energy is a solid 704. That's a proper session.
Saturday the 1st of August morning is still okay with a 5ft south swell, but the afternoon gets messy. The first few days of August are a mixed bag. Sunday the 2nd has a long-period 6ft SSE swell, but the wind is a strong cross-onshore, ruining it. The energy is there, but the wind's a killer.
From Monday the 3rd, the wind turns offshore, but the swell drops to 4ft and the conditions are called poor. Then from Tuesday the 4th through to Friday the 7th, it's all the same: the swell is called too big for Backdoor 4. We're talkin' 10ft of south and SSE swell, with clean, strong offshore winds. The combined energy is massive – 1292, 1714, 1662, 1388, 1521, 1101. It's a monster swell, but it's just too much for this spot. Experts only.
Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th are a letdown. The swell drops, the wind is onshore or cross-onshore, and it's just messy. But, on Sunday the 9th morning, there's a little treasure. A 4ft east swell with a 10-second period, and the wind is glassy. The energy is 322 – moderate. That's a clean, mellow little session for the patient surfer.
The last few days, from Monday the 10th to Wednesday the 12th, are back to marginal or poor. The swell is small and the period is long, with cross-onshore winds choppin' it up.
So, the best on offer is Thursday the 30th of July morning – that 7ft south swell with clean, light winds is a fun, solid wave. And if you're a charger, Friday the 31st of July afternoon is your window, with a 6ft south swell and offshore wind. The rest of the window is a lot of "too big" or "too messy" for Backdoor 4.
Rusty, out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue morning, min 8°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Wed morning, light winds from the SW by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 20°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 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) | S 8 | S 9 | S 15 | S 17 | S 16 | S 14 | S 10 | S 10 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 15 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SE 11 | SSE 11 | S 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
41 | 24 | 17 | 23 | 20 | 4 | 867 | 484 | 1225 | 1075 | 696 | 563 | 383 | 269 | 1241 | 1042 | 800 | 508 | 293 | 193 | 408 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 7:32PM1.57m | 8:10AM1.07m | 8:08PM1.60m | 8:46AM1.11m | 8:43PM1.60m | 9:22AM1.16m | 9:17PM1.58m | 9:58AM1.20m | 9:52PM1.53m | 10:36AM1.25m | 10:28PM1.45m | 11:16AM1.29m | 11:09PM1.35m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:57PM0.39m | 2:19AM0.21m | 1:38PM0.36m | 2:52AM0.17m | 2:16PM0.34m | 3:24AM0.14m | 2:56PM0.34m | 3:55AM0.13m | 3:36PM0.35m | 4:26AM0.13m | 4:19PM0.37m | 4:59AM0.15m | 5:08PM0.40m | ||||||||
6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | |
— | 5:12 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | 5 |
Temp °C | 20 | 20 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 19 | 20 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 |
Feels °C | 16 | 14 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 16 | 14 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 16 | ENE 6 | S 10 | S 10 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 15 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 |
41 | 24 | 13 | 5 | 20 | 4 | 867 | 484 | 1225 | 795 | 696 | 563 | 383 | 269 | 1241 | 1042 | 800 | 508 | 293 | 193 | 78 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | N 4 | SE 6 | S 14 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | SSE 14 | E 18 | E 17 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | E 15 | ENE 9 |
19 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 21 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 8 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 14 | SE 15 | S 15 | S 17 | S 7 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | — | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | NE 7 | — | S 23 | E 17 | S 21 | E 16 | NE 8 | E 15 |
8 | 8 | 17 | 23 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | 10 | 6 | 36 | 5 | 3 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 3 | NNW 3 | WNW 3 | WNW 3 | WSW 4 | SSW 6 | — | — | — | S 11 | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | NNE 3 | WSW 3 | SSW 5 | S 7 | S 8 |
2 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 17 | 136 | — | — | — | 1075 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 7 | 3 | 12 | 144 | 408 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 9 | 84 | 218 | 218 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 135 | 169 | 52 |
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.










