Backdoor 4 Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.28° S 151.57° E

Backdoor 4 Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 10 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Backdoor 4 sea temperature is
18.6°C
0.3° 

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 10 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 10s period, S swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 10s period, S swell with 1,147 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 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 (Sep 10) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 22s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Backdoor 4 in the next 16 days are 2.4m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Thu 10th Sep)7ft (2.2m) 10s
Best Surf 4PM (Thu 10th Sep)7ft (2.2m) 10s
Most Powerful10PM (Thu 10th Sep)8ft (2.4m) 10s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s chew the fat on what’s shaping up.

Alright, so we’ve got Backdoor 4 on the radar. This is a reef setup, pretty exposed to the south, so it catches a lot of what’s out there. To kick things off, the water temp is sitting at about 66°, which is pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year—nothing wild going on there.

The first bit of actual surf you can paddle into is on Thursday, September 10th. We’re looking at a solid 8ft swell from the south, with a period of 9 seconds. The wave energy is pumping hard, clocking in at 1112. Now, here’s the thing—that’s a lot of water. Over 5ft, so it’s already pushing it for beginners, and at 8ft, it’s getting into expert-only territory. The wind is cross-off from the SSW at 12 mph, which will help keep things clean on the face. But honestly, it’s a bit too meaty for the average punter. By Thursday afternoon, it drops slightly to 7ft, period stretching to 10 seconds, energy at 1225, and the wind goes proper offshore. The waves will be looking good, but again, it’s a heavy slab of water. If you’re not on your game, stay out of the way.

Friday, September 11th, we see it drop into a more manageable range. Morning brings 6ft from the south, period 10 seconds, energy at 707. The cross-off wind is lighter at 9 mph, and conditions are clean. This is the pick of the week for stronger intermediates. By afternoon, it’s down to 6ft, energy dropping to 545. Still clean, but the tide might play games with the shape.

Then we get a gem on Saturday, September 12th, first light. Swell is 4ft from the south, but the period jumps up to 12 seconds—that’s a groundswell, packing real punch. Energy is moderate at 677. The kicker? Glassy conditions. You read that right, glass. Wind is from the SSE at 3 mph, so it’s dead calm. This is the stand-out session. Clean, lined-up waves, long period, and no wind chop. It’s not huge, but it’s beautiful. Afternoon sees the cross-shore creep in, and it gets a bit lumpy, so get it while it’s hot in the morning.

Sunday and Monday (13th and 14th) are a write-off. Swell drops below 3ft, wind goes onshore or cross-on, and it’s choppy. Not worth getting wet.

We hit a dry spell until Wednesday, September 16th. Then we get a pulse back—6ft from the south, but the period is short at 8 seconds. Energy is 485. The wind is a light cross-off, so it’ll look okay, but the short period means it’s gonna be a bit lumpy and weak. Not bad for a quickie if you’re desperate.

Then, take a note for Saturday, September 19th, morning. That’s a full week and a half out, so treat this as a long-range tease. The models are showing a massive 13ft swell from the south, period 11 seconds, energy screaming at 3610. That’s huge. Too huge. This is for experts only, and even then, it’s borderline dangerous. The wind is light onshore, and that much water on a reef is gonna be a washing machine. It’s a promise of power, but you’ll need a death wish or a jet ski.

Later that same day (Sep 19th afternoon) and into Sunday the 20th, it backs off a bit. Sunday afternoon, September 20th, we get 7ft from the SSE, period 11 seconds, energy at 883. And here’s the magic—the wind goes glassy again. Light offshore breeze. This could be a proper treat if the swell holds. That’s the second potential stand-out, and probably the best for someone who can handle a solid 6ft wave in perfect conditions.

After that, it fades. Monday the 21st you’ve got a smaller, softer 5ft from the SSE, clean but not firing. Then it just dribbles away into tiny, weak, or wind-affected crap all the way to September 25th.

So, to wrap it up: the best on offer is Saturday morning, September 12th—small but glassy with long period groundswell. If you like a bit more power, keep an eye on Sunday afternoon, September 20th—glassy and a solid 7ft. For the brave, the 19th is a beast, but it’s a long way out and it’s dangerous. Most of this run is for intermediates and up. Beginners will have a rough time until maybe the 16th.

Stay stoked,
Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 25°C on Mon morning, min 15°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds.

Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
!
!
!
3
2
2
3
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
1
2
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.4
S
9
2.2
S
10
2.3
S
10
1.9
S
10
1.7
S
10
1.4
SSE
10
1.3
S
12
1.2
SSE
11
1
S
10
0.9
S
10
0.9
S
11
0.8
S
10
0.8
S
11
0.7
S
11
0.9
NE
6
0.4
S
10
0.3
S
9
1.9
SSE
9
1.7
S
8
1.6
S
9
1.3
S
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
992
947
1034
701
529
386
472
376
198
164
184
138
163
112
49
30
15
586
422
404
411
Wind (km/h)
20
SSW
20
SSW
15
SW
15
SSW
15
SSE
10
SW
5
SSE
15
ENE
10
N
10
NE
30
NE
10
NW
10
N
25
NE
10
NW
20
S
25
SSE
25
SSE
15
SE
10
ESE
5
NNE
Wind State
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
on
High Tide
7:31PM1.65m
8:07AM1.40m
8:14PM1.59m
8:44AM1.46m
8:54PM1.50m
9:21AM1.49m
9:34PM1.38m
9:57AM1.49m
10:13PM1.25m
10:34AM1.46m
10:54PM1.12m
11:13AM1.40m
11:39PM1.01m
Low Tide
1:14PM0.21m
2:00AM0.03m
2:01PM0.17m
2:35AM0.06m
2:47PM0.17m
3:07AM0.11m
3:31PM0.19m
3:39AM0.19m
4:15PM0.24m
4:10AM0.28m
5:01PM0.31m
4:42AM0.37m
5:51PM0.39m
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
light rain
light rain
cloud
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:01
5:58
5:58
5:56
5:54
5:54
5:52
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:40
5:42
5:42
5:43
5:44
5:44
5:45
 mm
1
2
Temp °C
13
15
15
16
16
16
17
17
16
18
18
18
25
23
22
18
16
15
16
16
16
Feels °C
8
11
12
14
13
15
15
14
14
14
14
16
20
18
19
16
12
11
13
13
14
  • Map Icons:
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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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