
Surf Forecasts:
Backdoor 4 surf forecast from 3 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 5 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 11s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 5 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, S swell with 2,316 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 4 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 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 Saturday (Jul 04) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Backdoor 4 in the next 16 days are 3.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 05) at 7PM. 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 Sunday (Jul 05) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4PM (Sat 4th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Sun 5th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Sun 5th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Backdoor 4 over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the table for Backdoor 4 over the next couple of weeks.
Things start off pretty grim. The first couple of days are a write-off for any decent paddle session. The swell is tiny and mixed with messy, choppy wind. You’re looking at less than 2ft of weak, short-period slop that's not worth suiting up for. Friday the 3rd is a complete no-go.
We get a glimmer of hope on Saturday afternoon, July 4th. The swell bumps up to a clean 4ft out of the south with a moderate 10-second period. The ESE cross-offshore breeze cleans it right up, and the combined energy is a moderate 291. It won’t be firing on all cylinders, but a longboard or a fish would be a fun option for a few waves. It’s a start.
Now, Sunday morning, July 5th is where it gets heavy. Don’t get too excited. We’ve got a serious pulse of 10ft south swell rolling in, with very strong energy (2116). The wind is blowing offshore from the SSW, so it’ll look like a postcard. But a wave that size at a reef break like Backdoor 4 is for experienced surfers only. If you’re not solid on a big board and paddling into consequences, stay on the beach and watch the show. The extreme size dominates the forecast right through to Tuesday morning, with solid 8ft to 8ft surf and clean, offshore winds. It’s a window of big, powerful waves, but definitely not for the beginner crew.
Things finally settle to something more manageable on Wednesday afternoon, July 8th. The swell drops to a fun 6ft from the southeast, with moderate energy (724). The wind flips to a gentle offshore flow, giving us those “expect very good surf conditions” calls. This looks like the pick of the first week for confident intermediates.
After a few more days of smaller, cleaner 4ft to 4ft south swell, we get another massive pulse around Thursday, July 16th. The forecast shows a 13ft south swell on Thursday morning, ramping up to 12ft in the afternoon with a very long period of 13 seconds. The wave energy is astronomical (5040 and 4227). Again, this is experts-only territory, and the long period (over 15 seconds) means it’ll be bending around the reef with insane power.
Overall, the standout session for a broader crew is that Wednesday afternoon, July 8th, when the size drops to a manageable 6ft with clean, gentle offshore wind. For the big-wave chargers, the run from Sunday the 5th through Tuesday the 7th, and again on the 16th, is the real deal – but it’s not a game for the faint-hearted.
Stay safe out there.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri morning, min 10°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 3 | Saturday 4 | Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 12 | S 10 | S 9 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSE 10 | S 12 | S 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
26 | 23 | 22 | 390 | 230 | 247 | 2106 | 1734 | 1870 | 1212 | 1324 | 681 | 1169 | 1414 | 1250 | 884 | 724 | 535 | 430 | 1447 | 761 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:29AM1.07m | 10:18PM1.52m | 11:11AM1.10m | 10:54PM1.46m | 11:55AM1.14m | 11:35PM1.39m | 12:42PM1.19m | 00:21AM1.30m | 1:34PM1.25m | 1:18AM1.20m | 2:29PM1.33m | 2:25AM1.12m | 3:27PM1.43m | 3:41AM1.07m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:52PM0.43m | 5:06AM0.19m | 4:36PM0.46m | 5:41AM0.19m | 5:25PM0.50m | 6:18AM0.20m | 6:22PM0.52m | 6:59AM0.22m | 7:29PM0.53m | 7:46AM0.24m | 8:44PM0.49m | 8:39AM0.27m | 10:00PM0.41m | ||||||||
6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | |
— | 4:57 | — | — | 4:58 | — | — | 4:58 | — | — | 4:59 | — | — | 4:59 | — | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:00 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 12 | 11 | 6 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | ENE 8 | SSW 7 | S 12 | S 10 | S 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 13 | E 14 | SSE 10 | S 11 | SSE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSE 10 | S 12 | S 10 |
26 | 23 | 64 | 390 | 230 | 136 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 16 | 1064 | 372 | 1169 | 1414 | 1250 | 884 | 724 | 535 | 430 | 1447 | 761 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 12 | ENE 8 | NE 7 | S 12 | S 12 | — | E 13 | S 15 | E 14 | E 14 | E 13 | SE 14 | S 11 | S 15 | S 10 | — | E 13 | S 15 | SE 10 | ESE 9 |
6 | 11 | 22 | 14 | 48 | 66 | — | 13 | 110 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 97 | 108 | 5 | 48 | — | 14 | 155 | 181 | 8 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | — | E 12 | E 13 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | — | — | E 13 | — | — | — | E 13 | S 16 | S 15 | — | — | S 23 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | S 16 |
3 | — | 11 | 14 | 13 | 10 | — | — | 14 | — | — | — | 14 | 5 | 18 | — | — | 10 | 49 | 22 | 5 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 4 | W 4 | W 3 | — | — | S 9 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | — | — | — | WSW 3 | — | — | S 9 | — | — |
13 | 12 | 3 | — | — | 247 | 2106 | 1734 | 1870 | 1212 | 1324 | 681 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 275 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 53 | 150 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 135 | 444 | 304 | 176 | 176 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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.










