Surf Forecasts:
Backdoor 4 surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 6 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 11s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s period, S swell with 702 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 10s period with SSE 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 Friday (Sep 04) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 6s. 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 1.6m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) 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 1.1m 6s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Backdoor 4 over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here.
Right, the next few days are pretty bleak. Wednesday morning through most of the weekend is small and messy, with the wind mostly cross-onshore. There’s a glassy moment Thursday morning with 0.5m, but it’s just too small to do anything. The combined energy is weak, under 200 (150). It’s a real dry spell until the end of the first week.
Things start to budge on Friday, the 4th. Friday morning at Backdoor 4 (reef) is the first real chance. The wind is glassy, dead calm, and the swell is 0.9m from the south with a period of 11 seconds. That’s a touch of groundswell, and combined energy is 201 (moderate). The wave comment says “expect good surf conditions.” It’s a low score, but in this quiet stretch, it’s the first green light. Water temp is 18°, about average for the time of year.
Saturday morning the 5th is a write-off – onshore wind. But Sunday afternoon the 6th has a bit more: 1.4m from the south at 11 seconds, with a clean cross-off (SE 20 km/h). Combined energy is 516 (moderate). The wave comment is cautious, “marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions,” but the wind is clean. Worth a look for a Sunday session.
Monday the 7th and Tuesday the 8th are mediocre – light cross-onshore and short period.
The standout is Thursday the 10th and Friday the 11th. Thursday morning sees a massive 3.5m south swell with a period of 9 seconds, and the wind is a clean cross-off (SSE 15 km/h). Combined energy is a huge 2125 (very strong). This is a big, powerful swell. The wave comment says “wind and tide favorable, but the swell is predicted to be too big for this break.” That’s a warning: at 3.5m, this is only for experts. The reef can handle it, but if you’re not solid, stay out. Thursday afternoon stays clean, still 3.5m. Friday morning the 11th is 3.0m from the SSE, but the wind swings cross-on (NNE 10 km/h), so it’s a bit less clean. Still, for the brave, this is the best window.
After that, it drops off. Saturday the 12th has a 1.2m south swell with a 12-second period, but onshore wind. The following week is mostly cross-onshore and small, with combined energy under 400. Wednesday the 16th has a tiny 0.3m swell with a 17-second period, but a strong offshore breeze (45 km/h) makes it hard to paddle into. No go.
The one true standout is Thursday the 10th morning at Backdoor 4. Big, clean, expert-only. If you’re not in that league, wait for the next one.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 11 | S 9 | S 14 | S 10 | S 9 | E 11 | E 10 | S 11 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 104 | 108 | 71 | 73 | 52 | 33 | 182 | 136 | 65 | 98 | 62 | 21 | 9 | 502 | 287 | 189 | 126 | 151 | 144 | 125 | 83 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross | off | cross-off | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:26AM1.45m | 11:44PM1.14m | 12:20PM1.44m | 00:50AM1.03m | 1:25PM1.43m | 2:14AM0.96m | 2:40PM1.44m | 3:44AM0.96m | 3:54PM1.49m | 4:59AM1.02m | 5:00PM1.56m | 5:57AM1.12m | 5:57PM1.63m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:52PM0.33m | 5:42AM0.32m | 7:00PM0.37m | 6:36AM0.40m | 8:22PM0.37m | 7:47AM0.46m | 9:46PM0.33m | 9:08AM0.47m | 10:58PM0.24m | 10:24AM0.43m | 11:54PM0.15m | 11:29AM0.35m | 00:41AM0.08m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — |
 | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 23 | 27 | 24 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 29 | 29 | 22 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 21 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 24 | 24 | 16 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 11 | S 9 | NE 4 | S 10 | S 9 | NE 6 | SSW 7 | S 11 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 |
| kJ | 104 | 108 | 71 | 73 | 52 | 33 | 182 | 136 | 16 | 98 | 62 | 18 | 91 | 502 | 287 | 189 | 126 | 151 | 144 | 125 | 83 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | S 6 | S 18 | S 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 5 | E 11 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NNE 7 | SSE 11 | S 9 | ENE 4 | ENE 7 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 |
| kJ | 33 | 33 | 33 | 31 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 6 | 42 | 17 | 10 | 21 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 25 | 96 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 9 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | SSW 3 | NE 7 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | S 14 | SSW 16 | E 9 | — | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 9 | — | E 10 |
| kJ | 8 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 19 | 18 | 65 | 48 | 7 | — | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | — | 8 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 3 | N 4 | NW 3 | NNW 4 | — | SSW 5 | — | ENE 10 | — | NNE 4 | NW 4 | SSW 4 | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 | — | — | — | NE 4 |
| kJ | 5 | 9 | 2 | 10 | — | 31 | — | 72 | — | 11 | 16 | 37 | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | 14 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 72 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 19 | 0 | 552 | 0 | 9 | 168 | 0 | 0 | 72 | 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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