
Surf Forecasts:
Backdoor 4 surf forecast from 22 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 13s period, S swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 13s period, S swell with 1,682 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 9s period with ENE 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 23) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 9s period. 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 2.2m 13s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 9s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Backdoor 4 over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, it’s Rusty here, and I’ve been staring at the charts for the next 16 days. Honestly, the first few days are a bit of a mixed bag, but we’ve got a couple of real standouts to keep the stoke alive.
The period kicks off on Wednesday the 22nd with a small, clean wave at Backdoor 4. We’re looking at a 4ft swell from the ENE with a 10-second period, and the water’s sitting at a comfortable 65°F – pretty average for this time of year. The wind is a light cross-off, keeping things tidy. The combined energy is moderate, sitting at 224. It’s not a monster, but it’s a fun, surfable size.
Thursday the 23rd is a write-off, with poor conditions all day. Friday the 24th is where it gets interesting. The morning shows a jump in size to 6ft from the south, and the energy is pumping with a reading of 1285. The wind swings cross-off from the SW, so it should be clean. It’s a solid size, maybe a bit much for beginners, but for the experienced crew, this is the best of the first week. The afternoon sees a similar 6ft swell, but the wind drops to a slight air from the SE, which is even better for a glassy surface.
Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th are a bit of a letdown after the Friday peak. Saturday has a workable 6ft south swell, but the wind is cross-on, putting a bit of a bump on the face. Sunday the 26th is a good call though – a 5ft south swell with a longer 11-second period, and the wind is a clean cross-off in the morning with a light breeze in the afternoon. The energy is substantial at 617.
Monday the 27th is a real treat if you can get out early. The morning is glassy, with a light 4ft south swell. It’s a small, clean wave that’s perfect for a longboard. The energy is lower at 221, but the lack of wind makes it a joy.
After that, things get quiet. We’ve got a big gap from Tuesday the 28th all the way through to Saturday the 1st of August. The swell is small, the winds are messy, or the conditions just aren’t there. It’s a dry spell.
Then, on Sunday the 2nd of August, we get a second wind. A 6ft swell from the SE with an 8-second period, and the combined energy is a solid 487. The wind is light and cross-off, keeping the surface clean. This is a good, punchy wave for the point. It’s not the same quality as the Friday the 24th stand-out, but it’s a solid option after the quiet week.
Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th are there, but the winds are a bit wonky, with cross-shore conditions making it a little lumpy. The size is still there, around 5ft to 6ft, but the quality drops off. The rest of the forecast into the second week looks like it’s getting blown out or too small, so make the most of that Sunday the 2nd.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 7°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Thu night, calm by Sat morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 13 | S 11 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
205 | 153 | 116 | 92 | 44 | 697 | 627 | 1682 | 755 | 408 | 342 | 610 | 505 | 338 | 207 | 162 | 90 | 28 | 58 | 65 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 2:53AM0.93m | 3:42PM1.32m | 4:06AM0.89m | 4:36PM1.36m | 5:13AM0.89m | 5:27PM1.40m | 6:08AM0.93m | 6:12PM1.46m | 6:53AM0.97m | 6:54PM1.52m | 7:33AM1.02m | 7:32PM1.57m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:26PM0.53m | 8:42AM0.45m | 10:38PM0.50m | 9:37AM0.49m | 11:38PM0.44m | 10:34AM0.49m | 00:26AM0.38m | 11:27AM0.47m | 1:07AM0.32m | 12:15PM0.43m | 1:44AM0.26m | 12:57PM0.39m | 2:19AM0.21m | |||||||
— | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | |
5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 15 | 13 | 17 | 15 | 5 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 13 | S 11 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 14 |
205 | 153 | 116 | 92 | 44 | 546 | 627 | 1682 | 755 | 408 | 342 | 610 | 505 | 338 | 207 | 162 | 90 | 28 | 58 | 65 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 4 | SE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 3 | SSE 7 | S 18 | S 7 |
19 | 20 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 40 | 27 | 14 | 13 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 55 | 16 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 3 | — | — | S 10 | S 14 | SE 7 | S 19 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | — | — | SE 17 | SE 14 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 14 | S 18 |
1 | — | — | 7 | 4 | 2 | 30 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 12 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 55 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WSW 3 | WSW 4 | — | SSW 6 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | SW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | — | — | NNE 3 |
— | 1 | 6 | — | 195 | 697 | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 72 | 2 | 9 | 91 | 0 |
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.










