Surf Forecasts:
Backdoor 4 surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 9s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 9s period, S swell with 481 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s 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 (Aug 13) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Backdoor 4 in the next 16 days are 1.7m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Backdoor 4 over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, surfers, let's talk about what's on the table for the next couple of weeks. We're looking at a period that's a bit of a slow burn, with a few standout moments if you're patient.
The first real action kicks off on Thursday, the 13th, but it's nothing to write home about. We've got a small, weak swell with barely any energy (60) and cross-offshore winds, so it's more of a paddle than a ride. The real spark doesn't happen until Friday morning, the 14th. That morning at Backdoor 4, we've got a clean 4 ft south swell with a 10-second period and glassy conditions. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The crowd profile here says it can get busy, so factor that in.
Saturday, the 15th, is shaping up to be the best of the early run. The morning session at Backdoor 4 is looking prime. We've got a 5 ft south swell, solid 9-second period, and a clean offshore breeze. The wave energy is pumping at (620), and the conditions are glassy. The afternoon holds up too, with a slightly bigger 5 ft south swell and moderate offshore winds keeping it clean. This is the one to circle.
Now, after that, things get messy. From Sunday, the 16th, through to Wednesday, the 26th, it's a bleak stretch. The swell drops off, the winds turn cross-off or onshore, and the energy dips into the low hundreds or even double digits. There are a few pockets of "marginal" surf, but honestly, it's a big gap of poor quality. The consistent setup at Backdoor 4 means it won't stay flat forever, but this is a long dry spell.
The real payoff comes right at the end of the forecast period. On Wednesday afternoon, the 26th, we get a massive pulse of south swell. The wave height is predicted at 10 ft with a 11-second period, and it's blowing offshore with a fresh breeze. The combined energy is a massive (1793). This is a big-boy session. The swell direction is S, which is near-perfect for this reef. Due to the size, this is for experienced surfers only. This turns into a solid run through Thursday, the 27th, with 6 ft and 5 ft south swells, clean offshore winds, and very good conditions. Friday, the 28th, still has clean 4 ft surf to wrap up the window.
So, the standout is the Saturday morning session on the 15th for a clean, fun-size wave, and the big pulse from the 26th onwards for the advanced crew. Keep an eye on that long-range forecast, though – it's promising but not set in stone.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | S 9 | S 8 | S 10 | S 8 | SSE 7 | S 9 | S 8 | S 7 | SSE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 6 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | E 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
52 | 52 | 417 | 278 | 255 | 153 | 86 | 343 | 351 | 239 | 257 | 122 | 175 | 229 | 181 | 94 | 149 | 63 | 62 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 8:34AM1.27m | 8:36PM1.77m | 9:17AM1.32m | 9:19PM1.68m | 9:58AM1.36m | 10:01PM1.55m | 10:39AM1.38m | 10:43PM1.39m | 11:21AM1.37m | 11:25PM1.23m | 12:04PM1.35m | 00:11AM1.08m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:33AM-0.03m | 2:12PM0.19m | 3:13AM-0.02m | 3:01PM0.20m | 3:50AM0.03m | 3:50PM0.23m | 4:26AM0.10m | 4:39PM0.29m | 5:00AM0.19m | 5:30PM0.36m | 5:34AM0.29m | 6:25PM0.44m | |||||||
— | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 10 |
Temp °C | 14 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 |
Feels °C | 8 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | ENE 10 | S 9 | S 8 | S 10 | S 8 | SSE 7 | S 9 | S 19 | S 7 | S 16 | S 7 | S 7 | S 10 | S 9 | SE 7 | S 11 | SE 7 | E 6 |
140 | 52 | 417 | 278 | 255 | 153 | 86 | 230 | 109 | 239 | 82 | 120 | 87 | 96 | 78 | 71 | 84 | 63 | 62 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | S 12 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | S 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | S 17 | ENE 10 | S 12 | S 17 | S 16 | SSW 13 | S 8 | ENE 9 | S 11 | SSE 7 |
52 | 3 | 29 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 65 | 17 | 18 | 92 | 20 | 28 | 22 | 20 | 31 | 35 | 16 | 56 | 36 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 16 | S 19 | S 16 | S 19 | S 15 | ENE 9 | S 19 | SSW 12 | ENE 10 | S 13 | S 17 | ENE 10 | — | — | S 12 | S 18 | ENE 9 | S 10 |
5 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 28 | 41 | 29 | 30 | 15 | 18 | 3 | 52 | 11 | — | — | 25 | 6 | 15 | 30 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | SSW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | S 9 | S 8 | — | SSE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 6 | ESE 7 | E 6 | — |
10 | 101 | — | — | — | — | — | 343 | 351 | — | 257 | 122 | 175 | 229 | 181 | 94 | 149 | 49 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 0 | 52 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 215 | 226 | 226 | 37 | 226 | 226 | 141 | 151 | 37 |
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.











