Surf Forecasts:
Backdoor 4 surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 6 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 12s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 12s period, S swell with 547 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 11s 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 Friday (Sep 04) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 11s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Backdoor 4 in the next 16 days are 1.4m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Sun 6th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Sun 6th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Backdoor 4 over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here, lookin' at what's on the cards for us right through to mid-September.
Straight off the bat, it's a painful start. For the first few days, the ocean is just flat and nothin'. We're talkin' Tuesday through to Thursday with barely a ripple, let alone a wave. The energy is weak (72 to 154 on the meter) and the conditions are poor. It's a rough, empty spell. But hold on, because the weekend is where the story changes.
Friday the 4th is the first glimmer. The energy jumps to a moderate 291 combined energy units. The wind goes glassy in the morning, and we get a clean 4ft swell from the south with an 11-second period. It’s not huge, but after the drought, that’s a solid start.
Now, the standout of the whole run is Sunday, the 6th of September. This is the one to circle. Backdoor 4 (that reef break we all know) will be firing first thing. We’re lookin' at a clean 5ft S swell, with a nice 12-second period and a light offshore wind from the southeast cleaning it right up. The wave energy is strong at 575 combined units – that's proper power. For intermediate surfers, that’s about as good as it gets for the whole outlook. The water temp is about 65°F, pretty bang on average for this time of year, so just a spring suit.
Later on Saturday the 12th and into Sunday the 13th, we get another pulse. Saturday morning brings a clean 6ft swell from the SSE with a light offshore wind. The energy is moderate at 597, but the 9-second period is a little short, so it’s not as well-shaped as the earlier swell. Then Sunday the 13th morning is even better: a 4ft SE swell, clean conditions, and a better 10-second period.
Through the second week, the big news is the swell on the 10th and 11th. That south swell pumps up to 16ft on Friday the 11th with an incredible 13-second period, and the energy readings go crazy – over 16,000! But here’s the thing – it’s simply too big for the break. 12ft plus is strictly for experts only, and even that might be pushing it. The wind is offshore and clean, but it’s a beast. The 9th of September also sees strong, howling offshore winds at 25 mph, making it hard to even get out there.
For the last days, the 14th to the 16th, the swell fades back down to 3ft or less. The energy drops off (as low as 77 combined units), and while there are a few glassy mornings, the waves are small and won't hold your attention.
The absolute best on offer: That Sunday, the 6th of September. Clean, punchy, and just the right size for a good session.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, fresh winds from the WNW by Sat afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | |||||||||||||||
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 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 11 | S 9 | S 16 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 12 | S 9 | S 13 | S 10 | S 10 | ENE 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
250 | 189 | 138 | 104 | 110 | 71 | 73 | 53 | 33 | 272 | 96 | 44 | 71 | 68 | 27 | 547 | 295 | 117 | 242 | 153 | 154 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 10:41AM1.45m | 10:52PM1.27m | 11:26AM1.45m | 11:44PM1.14m | 12:20PM1.44m | 00:50AM1.03m | 1:25PM1.43m | 2:14AM0.96m | 2:40PM1.44m | 3:44AM0.96m | 3:54PM1.49m | 4:59AM1.02m | 5:00PM1.56m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:55PM0.29m | 4:57AM0.24m | 5:52PM0.33m | 5:42AM0.32m | 7:00PM0.37m | 6:36AM0.40m | 8:22PM0.37m | 7:47AM0.46m | 9:46PM0.33m | 9:08AM0.47m | 10:58PM0.24m | 10:24AM0.43m | 11:54PM0.15m | ||||||||
6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | |
— | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 25 | 20 | 26 | 26 | 22 | 27 | 23 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 29 | 27 | 22 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 19 | 20 | 17 | 22 | 22 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 12 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 11 | S 9 | S 8 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 12 | S 9 | S 8 | S 10 | S 10 | ENE 7 |
250 | 189 | 138 | 104 | 110 | 71 | 73 | 53 | 33 | 272 | 96 | 28 | 71 | 68 | 27 | 547 | 295 | 115 | 242 | 153 | 154 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | NE 5 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NW 4 | ENE 10 | SSW 6 | SSE 10 | NE 4 | NE 4 | ENE 5 | NE 6 | SSW 4 | E 10 | S 13 | ENE 5 | E 10 | S 10 |
38 | 37 | 23 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 4 | 18 | 10 | 22 | 7 | 6 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 117 | 34 | 8 | 120 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 12 | NE 12 | ENE 10 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 6 | ENE 10 | NE 7 | ENE 10 | S 18 | S 16 | E 9 | E 9 | E 11 | NE 10 | ENE 6 | E 10 | E 10 | — | — |
3 | 6 | 33 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 19 | 7 | 19 | 6 | 44 | 15 | 7 | 9 | 28 | 3 | 8 | 8 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 3 | NNE 3 | NNW 3 | NNW 3 | N 3 | NW 3 | NNW 4 | WSW 3 | SSW 5 | — | ENE 3 | W 3 | NNW 3 | WNW 4 | W 2 | — | — | ENE 4 | NE 5 | NE 6 | — |
2 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 14 | 4 | 37 | — | 15 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 1 | — | — | 35 | 65 | 123 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 72 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 226 | 2 | 3 | 91 | 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.











