Backdoor 4 Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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

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