Surf Forecasts:
Backdoor 4 surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 8s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 11s period, E swell with 991 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 8s 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 (Jul 16) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 15s. 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 2.1m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) 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 0.9m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 16) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Backdoor 4 over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright crew, Rusty here. Let’s break down what Backdoor 4 has cookin’ over the next couple weeks.
First up, Thursday the 16th of July is a heavy one. We’re lookin’ at 8ft of south swell rollin’ in with 30 km/h offshore winds. Combined energy is 767 – moderate, but this is a reef break and 8ft is expert territory. Afternoon drops to 6ft with cross-offshore winds, but it’s not much better for the average surfer.
Friday the 17th sees the swell drop to 4ft from the east, with a short 6-second period. Light offshore wind in the morning, but it’s weak and gutless.
Saturday the 18th morning shows 5ft east swell with a 7-second period and clean offshore wind. Energy is 328 – it’s surfable for intermediates, but not a standout.
Sunday the 19th is the big one. Morning hits with nearly 7ft of east swell, period jumpin’ to 11 seconds – proper groundswell – and energy at 1108. That’s strong. Cross-offshore wind keeps it clean, but 7ft on a reef is for the experienced crew only. Afternoon is 7ft with 10-second period and energy at 926. Still heavy.
Monday the 20th morning is the absolute gem. Glassy conditions, 5ft east-northeast swell, 10-second period, and energy at 684. That’s the money window – clean, powerful, and not maxed out. This is the best surf of the whole run.
From Tuesday the 21st, it’s downhill. Swell drops to 5ft, winds go onshore, and energy fades. Wednesday the 22nd is 4ft with cross-offshore wind – okay but ordinary.
Thursday the 23rd through the 27th is a slow fade to knee-high slop. There’s a gap from the 24th to the 28th with no real surf. A few days of nothing worth mentionin’.
On the 28th, we get a weird 0.9ft south swell with a 16-second period, but it’s just a ghost. Winds are onshore or cross-onshore from the 28th through to the 31st with fresh to strong breezes and messy chop. No go.
So for the pick: Sunday the 19th for the big, powerful east swell if you’re experienced, but Monday the 20th morning with glassy conditions and 5ft east-northeast groundswell is the true standout. After that, the taps turn off.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 26mm), heaviest during Thu morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Thu morning, light winds from the SSW by Thu night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat night, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wed 22 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 10 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 510 | 756 | 464 | 187 | 97 | 107 | 156 | 215 | 287 | 668 | 991 | 834 | 584 | 533 | 533 | 407 | 363 | 370 | 402 | 263 | 205 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 9:44AM1.21m | 9:42PM1.79m | 10:32AM1.23m | 10:29PM1.67m | 11:20AM1.25m | 11:15PM1.51m | 12:09PM1.27m | 00:01AM1.34m | 12:59PM1.28m | 00:51AM1.17m | 1:51PM1.29m | 1:47AM1.03m | 2:45PM1.31m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:43AM-0.06m | 3:15PM0.24m | 4:28AM-0.02m | 4:07PM0.28m | 5:10AM0.04m | 5:01PM0.35m | 5:51AM0.13m | 5:58PM0.42m | 6:30AM0.22m | 7:01PM0.48m | 7:10AM0.31m | 8:11PM0.53m | 7:53AM0.39m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — |
 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 |
mm | 1 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 |
Feels °C | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | S 15 | S 8 | S 8 | S 7 | S 6 | E 7 | S 10 | E 8 | E 10 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 |
| kJ | 5 | 4 | 464 | 187 | 92 | 39 | 156 | 72 | 287 | 668 | 991 | 834 | 584 | 533 | 533 | 407 | 363 | 370 | 402 | 263 | 205 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 18 | S 18 | E 8 | S 16 | S 8 | S 11 | S 21 | S 10 | S 9 | S 17 | S 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 |
| kJ | — | 7 | 25 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 79 | 34 | 46 | 25 | 95 | 81 | 116 | 141 | 136 | 114 | 79 | 48 | 31 | 31 | 30 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 13 | S 18 | S 11 | S 11 | S 21 | S 19 | S 19 | S 18 | S 8 | S 8 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 14 | SE 13 | SE 13 | S 13 | S 14 |
| kJ | — | — | 3 | 25 | 23 | 21 | 8 | 7 | 30 | 60 | 22 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | S 8 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | E 6 | E 7 | S 6 | E 7 | S 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | NNE 4 | — | — |
| kJ | 510 | 756 | 48 | 64 | 97 | 107 | 15 | 215 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 32 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 139 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 0 | 0 | 135 | 45 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 72 | 2 | 2 | 46 | 2 | 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.
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