Surf Forecasts:
Backdoor 4 surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 12s period, S swell with 800 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s 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 Wednesday (Aug 26) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 11s 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 1.7m 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Backdoor 4 over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, breaking down the same outlook, but in feet and miles per hour so it makes sense on your side of the world.
We’re starting slow. Wednesday morning only has small waves around 3ft from the ENE, weak and short period. Combined energy is weak at 158. The afternoon is even worse with rain. Things start to get interesting on Thursday the 27th.
Thursday morning sees the swell jump to 6ft from the S at a 9-second period. Energy is moderate (599), with a clean offshore wind. Intermediates will love it. The afternoon stays clean at 6ft.
Now, Friday the 28th morning is the absolute standout. Glassy conditions, zero wind, and a clean 6ft S swell with an 11-second period. The energy is moderate at 748. On a reef break like Backdoor 4, that’s the sweet spot – shaped waves, lined-up sets. Crowds are sometimes, but the quality is unbeatable.
Saturday the 29th holds with 4ft to 5ft, S to SSE, gentle offshore breezes. Sunday the 30th is clean but slightly smaller.
Monday the 31st morning is the other big highlight. 4ft S swell with a very long 17-second period. The combined energy hits 1067 (moderate to strong), and it’s glassy. That long period on a reef gives you perfect lines. Only for experienced surfers, but it’s a gem.
From Tuesday September 1st through Saturday September 5th, the surf totally flatlines. We’re talking 1ft to 4ft junk, onshore winds, and very weak energy (as low as 45). That’s a 5-day gap of almost nothing.
Then Sunday September 6th throws up a big 8ft S swell, but it’s only 8 seconds and flagged as too big for the break. Combined energy is strong (715), but the wave will be closing out or dangerous. Monday the 7th is smaller and glassy at 4ft, but the afternoon winds turn onshore.
After that, it drops off again. Thursday the 10th shows another 8ft S swell, also flagged as too big for the break.
So the two best bets: Friday August 28th morning – glassy, 6ft S, 11 seconds, perfect reef conditions. Monday August 31st morning – glassy, 4ft S, 17-second period, for experienced surfers only.
See you out there.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Wed afternoon, calm by Fri morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 7 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 16 | S 11 | S 11 | S 12 | ENE 10 | S 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 130 | 114 | 257 | 516 | 440 | 306 | 707 | 458 | 289 | 312 | 267 | 168 | 153 | 257 | 247 | 438 | 223 | 227 | 262 | 166 | 100 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:05PM1.54m | 7:41AM1.17m | 7:40PM1.57m | 8:15AM1.25m | 8:15PM1.57m | 8:49AM1.32m | 8:50PM1.54m | 9:24AM1.38m | 9:27PM1.47m | 10:01AM1.42m | 10:07PM1.38m | 10:41AM1.45m | 10:52PM1.27m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:39PM0.37m | 1:43AM0.18m | 1:19PM0.32m | 2:14AM0.13m | 1:59PM0.28m | 2:44AM0.10m | 2:39PM0.26m | 3:14AM0.10m | 3:21PM0.25m | 3:46AM0.12m | 4:05PM0.26m | 4:20AM0.17m | 4:55PM0.29m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — |
 | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — |
mm | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 23 | 26 | 22 |
Feels °C | 15 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 19 | 22 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 11 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | NE 5 |
| kJ | 130 | 114 | 82 | 516 | 440 | 306 | 707 | 458 | 289 | 312 | 267 | 152 | 153 | 257 | 247 | 117 | 223 | 227 | 262 | 149 | 29 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 15 | S 11 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 10 | S 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | ENE 9 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | ENE 9 | ENE 11 | S 18 | S 10 |
| kJ | 19 | 4 | 10 | 54 | 34 | 57 | 37 | 24 | 25 | 89 | 171 | 168 | 110 | 29 | 212 | 438 | 219 | 26 | 40 | 25 | 100 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 12 | SSW 11 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 18 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 12 | ENE 8 | S 17 | E 10 |
| kJ | — | — | 4 | 18 | 37 | 89 | 37 | 67 | 38 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 56 | 31 | 28 | 28 | 3 | 13 | 52 | 50 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 3 | S 6 | S 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 | ENE 10 | WNW 2 |
| kJ | 4 | 116 | 257 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 166 | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 176 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 48 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
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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