Backdoor 4 Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let me break it down for you in feet and degrees.

The first week is a bit of a mixed bag. We’ve got a solid run of south swell energy coming through from Friday the 24th through to Sunday the 26th, with moderate wave energy (around 599 to 845) and clean conditions. The standout in that first stretch is definitely Friday afternoon, July 24th, at Backdoor 4. You’re looking at a 6ft south swell with a 10-second period, a light cross-offshore breeze, and the water is sitting at a normal 65°. The combined energy is moderate (640) and the setup is clean. That’s the pick of the early days – proper surfable waves.

Come Monday morning, July 27th, the swell drops back to 4ft from the south, but the wind goes glassy. That’s a rare treat. It’s a smaller day, but if you want a morning without a single ripple, that’s your window. The energy is weaker (235), but the glassy conditions will make it feel better than the size suggests.

Then from Tuesday the 28th through Wednesday the 29th, it all goes quiet. Strong cross-onshore winds and tiny swell – barely anything. There’s a gap of about three days with nothing worth chasing.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Thursday, July 30th – the swell jumps big. We’re seeing a 10ft to 13ft south swell, with very strong combined energy (1692 to 3077). That’s expert territory. The wind is clean cross-off, but the size is too big for this break. This is a setup that looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. If you’re a seasoned charger, the Thursday afternoon has a 13ft south swell at 10 seconds and clean conditions – but it’s a beast. The Friday the 31st is even bigger, with an 12ft to 10ft SSE swell and near gale winds on the morning. That’s not surfable – it’s a washing machine.

The first weekend of August, Saturday the 1st and Sunday the 2nd, the swell drops back to a more manageable 6ft to 4ft from the SSE. Good wind, clean conditions, and moderate energy (626 to 246). Sunday afternoon sees a proper offshore breeze, which is a nice bonus. Not the biggest, but clean and user-friendly.

After that, the second week fades out. Small swell, mostly 3ft to 4ft, with inconsistent energy and ordinary conditions. Monday morning, August 4th, offers a tiny 3ft SE swell with glassy conditions – that’s a dawny for the patient surfer. The energy is weak (164), but it’s dead calm.

So, the real standout is Friday afternoon, July 24th at Backdoor 4 – that 6ft south swell with clean cross-off wind is the best you’ll get. The second shout is Monday morning, July 27th for the glassy 4ft south swell. After that, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

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