Surf Forecasts:
Backdoor 4 surf forecast from 7 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 11s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 11s period, S swell with 1,278 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 7 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 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 (Aug 07) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 8s. 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 2.4m 11s 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 2.5m 9s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4PM (Fri 7th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Backdoor 4 over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m gonna break it down for this spot. We’re looking at Backdoor 4, a reef break that’s exposed to the east.
Right off the bat, the water temp is sittin’ at 64°F, which is about 1°F cooler than normal for this time of year – just a little cooler than usual, nothing crazy.
The forecast starts with a slow grind. Friday and Saturday (August 7th and 8th) are weak and small. You’ve got some 2ft to 2ft swell from the SSE and S, with periods around 8 to 10 seconds. The combined energy is low, barely cracking triple digits (128 to 121). Winds are light, and Saturday morning goes glassy, which is nice, but the waves are just ordinary. Not worth paddling for.
Sunday the 9th gets a little more size, 3ft to 4ft from the ENE, and the energy bumps up to moderate (210). But the wind is onshore and cross-onshore, making it choppy and messy. That mess runs through Monday and Tuesday, with strong winds and a messy sea state. Energy hits 349 on Monday, but it’s ugly out there.
The first real standout doesn’t show up until Friday, August 14th. This is the one. We’ve got a solid 7ft groundswell from the south, with a period of 11 seconds, and the combined energy is pumping at 1021 – that’s strong energy. The wind is light and cross, so it’ll be lined up if the tide is right. But at 7ft, this is expert territory for a reef break. Not for beginners. Friday afternoon cleans up even more with a light cross-offshore breeze, and the swell drops to a still solid 6ft with 666 energy. That’s the best window of the whole forecast.
Saturday the 15th holds with 5ft south swell and clean conditions, though the wind picks up. Sunday the 16th drops to 4ft but stays clean.
After that, the second week fades. Swell sizes drop under 3ft, the energy falls back to weak numbers (under 200), and the wind gets messy again. By the end of the week, it’s choppy and weak. There’s a brief moment on Friday, August 21st where the morning goes glassy with 3ft ENE swell, but it’s not enough to get excited about.
So, the call is clear: Friday, August 14th into the afternoon is your best bet. It’s got size, power, and decent wind. But know your limits – that’s a reef break with some weight. Be smart out there.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat morning, fresh winds from the NW by Sun night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NW on Mon morning, light winds from the WNW by Tue afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | S 8 | S 8 | E 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 12 | S 10 | ENE 10 | WNW 5 | ENE 10 | S 9 | S 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 52 | 51 | 50 | 58 | 40 | 61 | 177 | 180 | 381 | 286 | 141 | 53 | 48 | 47 | 130 | 100 | 75 | 118 | 18 | 700 | 884 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 2:58PM1.44m | 3:35AM0.98m | 4:07PM1.52m | 4:56AM1.00m | 5:11PM1.61m | 6:03AM1.06m | 6:09PM1.71m | 6:59AM1.13m | 7:02PM1.78m | 7:49AM1.20m | 7:50PM1.80m | 8:34AM1.27m | 8:36PM1.77m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:51PM0.38m | 9:15AM0.39m | 11:06PM0.28m | 10:26AM0.38m | 00:08AM0.16m | 11:31AM0.33m | 1:02AM0.07m | 12:29PM0.27m | 1:50AM-0.00m | 1:22PM0.22m | 2:33AM-0.03m | 2:12PM0.19m | 3:13AM-0.02m | ||||||||
 | |  | | |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | |  | | | | | |
 | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — |
 | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 10 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 12 | 15 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | S 8 | S 8 | E 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSW 9 | S 12 | S 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | S 9 | S 10 |
| kJ | 48 | 51 | 50 | 58 | 40 | 61 | 177 | 180 | 381 | 286 | 141 | 53 | 48 | 113 | 130 | 100 | 75 | 55 | 18 | 700 | 884 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | S 8 | E 7 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 7 | S 6 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 13 | E 13 | E 13 | SSW 7 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | S 9 | SSW 8 | S 16 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 |
| kJ | 52 | 33 | 25 | 45 | 30 | 15 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 29 | 47 | 52 | 55 | 64 | 22 | 5 | 10 | 11 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 12 | ENE 8 | S 8 | ENE 7 | E 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | S 6 | E 14 | — | S 13 | — | S 12 | S 12 | — | — | — | — | S 16 | — | S 18 |
| kJ | 27 | 21 | 34 | 18 | 22 | 15 | 7 | 3 | 4 | — | 3 | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | 7 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 2 | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | NE 5 | — | — | NW 5 | NW 5 | W 5 | WNW 4 | NW 3 | NNW 3 | NNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | SW 8 | SSW 9 | — |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | — | — | 28 | 19 | — | — | 60 | 90 | 51 | 15 | 4 | 4 | 23 | 44 | 118 | 369 | 1038 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 72 | 27 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 117 | 37 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 27 | 150 | 208 | 3 | 48 | 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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