Surf Forecasts:
Backdoor 4 surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 10s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 10s period, E swell with 267 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 11s period with ESE 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 6s. 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 1.2m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 9s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Backdoor 4 over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s in store for Backdoor 4 over the next couple of weeks. Fair warning, this is a lean stretch for most of it—you’re gonna have to wait a good while for anything worth paddling out for, and even then, it’s only for the experienced crew.
For the first ten days or so, it’s pretty flat and messy. There’s a little pulse around Wednesday morning the 19th with 3ft from the east-southeast, and glassy conditions making it look clean, but combined energy is weak (210) and the period is short at 7 seconds—not much push, and the surf quality is only just passable. Nothing worth writing home about. Thursday the 20th through to the end of August is a real drag: wave heights stay tiny, mostly 1ft to 3ft, winds are all over the place, and the combined energy is barely scraping into triple digits. It’s a long, flat gap with no real recommendations.
Now, late on Monday the 31st of August, things finally shake up. A solid south swell rolls in—7ft from the south, period of 10 seconds, and combined energy in the strong range (1016). Winds are cross-shore with a moderate breeze, creating a bit of chop, but the forecast notes the swell might be too big for this break. That swell keeps building: Tuesday morning the 1st of September sees 10ft from the south, 10-second period, and massive combined energy (2241)—this is very strong wave energy. Winds are light and cross-offshore, so it’s clean, but the report clearly says it’s too big for Backdoor 4. This is expert territory only, and honestly, it’s pushing limits even for them. The water temp is about 64°, slightly cooler than average for this time of year, which is noticeable but nothing wild.
The standout window comes on Wednesday afternoon the 2nd of September. Swell drops to a still-chunky 6ft from the southeast with a 10-second period, combined energy very strong (1225), winds light and cross-offshore—clean, glassy conditions. The guidance gives this a high score and says excellent conditions for experienced surfers. That’s your best shot, but only if you’ve got the skills. Crowds are possible, as this spot is sometimes busy, and it’s a very consistent reef break that loves east swell direction, though the swell is coming more from the southeast here.
Bottom line: nothing happening until the end of August, then a big, powerful south swell arrives that’s too big for most, with one solidly good window on the 2nd of September for the experts. Beginners, sit this one out entirely.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 21°C on Fri morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 10 | E 10 | SE 9 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 9 | S 9 | S 12 | S 10 | S 11 | ENE 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
128 | 140 | 94 | 267 | 95 | 66 | 81 | 85 | 45 | 25 | 14 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 25 | 95 | 41 | 66 | 79 | 67 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | glassy | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 00:11AM1.08m | 12:52PM1.32m | 1:05AM0.96m | 1:49PM1.28m | 2:17AM0.88m | 2:54PM1.27m | 3:41AM0.86m | 4:01PM1.29m | 4:54AM0.89m | 4:58PM1.35m | 5:47AM0.94m | 5:46PM1.42m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:25PM0.44m | 6:11AM0.39m | 7:30PM0.50m | 6:53AM0.47m | 8:46PM0.53m | 7:49AM0.53m | 10:05PM0.51m | 8:59AM0.56m | 11:10PM0.46m | 10:09AM0.54m | 11:58PM0.39m | 11:07AM0.50m | 00:37AM0.32m | |||||||
— | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | |
mm | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 22 | 24 | 19 |
Feels °C | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 19 | 20 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | S 8 | SE 9 | E 6 | E 10 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | S 5 | S 9 | S 8 | S 10 | S 11 | ENE 9 |
56 | 140 | 94 | 10 | 95 | 66 | 2 | 85 | 45 | 25 | 14 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 95 | 31 | 66 | 79 | 67 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 14 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | S 15 | E 12 | E 11 | — | S 13 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | S 6 | S 5 | S 8 | NE 9 | NE 9 | S 12 | ENE 4 | ENE 7 | S 10 |
71 | 113 | 90 | 4 | 3 | 2 | — | 3 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 12 | 20 | 19 | 41 | 6 | 31 | 46 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 15 | — | E 11 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 4 | S 9 | S 16 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 9 | S 16 |
7 | 48 | 26 | 4 | — | 9 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 25 | 45 | 18 | 23 | 3 | 19 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | — | — | E 10 | NE 5 | NE 5 | E 6 | — | NNW 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 4 | NNW 2 | NNW 2 | W 3 |
128 | — | — | 267 | 53 | 32 | 81 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 19 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 92 | 92 | 3 | 0 | 338 | 20 | 2 | 37 | 2 | 2 | 53 | 208 | 305 | 782 | 117 | 11 | 338 | 2 | 2 | 37 |
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.











