Surf Forecasts:
Backdoor 4 surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, S swell with 2,344 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 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 Thursday (Sep 10) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 16s is also forecast. 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 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Backdoor 4 over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s see what Backdoor 4 has cooking.
For the whole 16-day run, Backdoor 4 is the only spot showing anything. It’s a very consistent reef break, so you know it’ll have waves, but the first couple of days are a tough pill to swallow. Thursday the 10th and Friday the 11th have a big southerly swell rolling in, with wave energy reading 1110 and 693. The problem is the swell is running 8ft and 6.2ft, which is too much for most folks. The winds on Friday morning are offshore and light, so it’ll look clean, but this is expert territory.
The real gem of the whole outlook is Saturday morning, the 12th. We’ve got a clean 4.3ft south swell with a very long 12-second period. And the wind? It’s glassy—zero breeze. That’s the call right there. The wave energy sits at 611, which is moderate and manageable. The long period will give you proper lines and plenty of time to settle between sets. Crowds show up sometimes here, so you’ll want to be in the water early.
From Saturday afternoon things drop off hard. Sunday the 13th through Tuesday the 15th is flat to small and messy. Winds turn cross-onshore, wave energy falls below 100, and it’s just not worth the effort.
We get a cleaner, smaller improvement on Wednesday the 16th afternoon—a 3.9ft south swell with good period—but it’s a one-off. The second week, starting Saturday the 19th, brings a massive, unsurfable 11.5ft south swell for the experts. Wave energy screams 2309. After that, it’s mostly small and wind-affected through to the end of the run.
Bottom line: Saturday the 12th morning, glassy and 4.3ft, is the one to beat. Everything else is either too big, too small, or blown out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Wed night, calm by Fri night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Tue afternoon. Warm (max 22°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | NE 6 | S 11 | S 11 | NE 6 | S 10 | E 13 | S 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2471 | 992 | 1092 | 1055 | 687 | 529 | 384 | 472 | 369 | 198 | 161 | 184 | 138 | 125 | 112 | 98 | 29 | 14 | 985 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | off | off | off |
High Tide | 7:28AM1.31m | 7:31PM1.65m | 8:07AM1.40m | 8:14PM1.59m | 8:44AM1.46m | 8:54PM1.50m | 9:21AM1.49m | 9:34PM1.38m | 9:57AM1.49m | 10:13PM1.25m | 10:34AM1.46m | 10:54PM1.12m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:23AM0.04m | 1:14PM0.21m | 2:00AM0.03m | 2:01PM0.17m | 2:35AM0.06m | 2:47PM0.17m | 3:07AM0.11m | 3:31PM0.19m | 3:39AM0.19m | 4:15PM0.24m | 4:10AM0.28m | 5:01PM0.31m | |||||||
 |  | | | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | |  |  | |
 | — | 6:01 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 18 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 6 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 19 | 14 | 10 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | S 9 | S 22 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | NE 6 | S 11 | S 11 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 14 |
| kJ | 48 | 992 | 249 | 1055 | 687 | 529 | 384 | 472 | 369 | 198 | 161 | 184 | 80 | 125 | 112 | 54 | 16 | 5 | 19 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 25 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SSE 22 | E 10 | E 14 | S 18 | SSE 19 | S 17 | S 20 | ENE 4 | S 16 | S 10 | ENE 5 | ENE 12 | S 10 | S 10 | E 13 | ENE 13 |
| kJ | 12 | 25 | 23 | 46 | 2 | 14 | 27 | 120 | 149 | 198 | 11 | 45 | 138 | 19 | 15 | 48 | 29 | 14 | 18 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 16 | S 23 | E 9 | E 10 | E 15 | E 10 | E 13 | ENE 14 | ENE 14 | ENE 13 | S 17 | ENE 13 | ENE 13 | ENE 13 | — | E 12 | ENE 13 | — | — |
| kJ | 10 | 93 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 14 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 53 | 17 | 17 | 17 | — | 12 | 16 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | — | S 10 | — | — | — | — | — | E 3 | NE 4 | NE 4 | ENE 4 | NE 6 | — | ENE 5 | NE 6 | — | SSE 6 | S 10 |
| kJ | 2471 | — | 1092 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 27 | 14 | 50 | 124 | — | 59 | 98 | — | 136 | 985 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 135 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 226 | 2 | 3 | 461 | 2 | 2 | 180 | 2 | 84 | 218 | 270 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Newcastle | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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