Backdoor 4 Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s break down what’s going on at Backdoor 4. There’s a slow start, but once we get past midweek, the swell starts talking and the conditions get real clean.

Right now, the water temp is about 64°F, which is pretty much normal for this time of year – nothing unusual.

Tuesday afternoon kicks off with light rain, a weak 3ft swell from the east-northeast at a short 7 seconds, and a gentle onshore breeze. The energy is weak (165), and the surf is pretty poor. Not worth suiting up.

Wednesday morning sees a small improvement – still 3ft, but the period bumps to 8 seconds and the wind goes cross-offshore, leaving the surf clean but really ordinary. That afternoon, a strong south wind at 19 mph blows offshore, but the swell drops to 3ft with only 115 energy – still not great.

Thursday morning is where things start to fire. The swell jumps to 6ft from the south, period 9 seconds, and the energy is moderate (576). The wind is light offshore from the south at 6 mph, making for clean, punchy waves. This is a solid option for intermediates and up. Thursday afternoon holds up with 6ft, cross-offshore wind, and clean conditions.

Friday is the standout. Friday morning goes glassy – zero wind from the southwest – with a 5ft south swell, period 11 seconds, and strong energy (703). That’s groundswell pushing through, and with the glassy surface, Backdoor 4 will be dialed. The waves will have real shape and power, and the longer gaps between sets will make paddling out easier. This is the best session of the forecast. Friday afternoon stays clean with a moderate offshore breeze from the SSE.

Saturday morning keeps it rolling: 5ft from the south-southeast, period 11 seconds, light offshore south wind, and energy at 875 – very strong. Clean, powerful, and consistent. This is another top-tier session. Saturday afternoon eases a touch but still clean.

The quality continues into Sunday with a 5ft south swell in the afternoon and a moderate offshore breeze, and Monday morning is glassy again with a 4ft south swell, 10-second period, and 717 energy – that’s a strong, clean session to start the week.

But from Tuesday, September 1st onward, the bottom drops out. The wind turns cross-onshore, the swell fades, and the energy drops hard. By Wednesday and Thursday, we’re looking at 1ft to 2ft waves with weak energy (55–102). It’s flat. Friday and Saturday of the second week have a little bump in swell height (4ft) but the wind is onshore or cross-onshore, and the conditions are poor. The energy is moderate at best, but the quality just isn’t there.

Towards the very end of the second week, there’s a glimmer on Wednesday, September 9th – a 5ft south swell with cross-offshore wind and clean conditions, but it’s marginal. The afternoon of the 9th actually looks good: 4ft from the south-southeast, offshore wind, and clean. That’s worth a look if you’re still around.

So, the clear winner here is Friday, August 28th morning – glassy, 5ft south groundswell, strong energy, and clean. Saturday morning, August 29th, is a close second. After that, it’s a waiting game with a long flat spell, but the very end of the run might offer a small window.

Rusty.

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