
Surf Forecasts:
Backdoor 4 surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, S swell with 3,077 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 15 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 7s period with NE 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 Tuesday (Sep 15) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 3s is also forecast. 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 4.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Monday (Sep 21) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Backdoor 4 over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it.
The next couple of days are pretty gutless, with tiny surf and onshore winds making it tough. Monday’s looking flat and messy, and Tuesday cleans up a little with a small, weak swell but nothing to get too amped about. We’ve got a wait on our hands.
Then things get interesting. Wednesday the 16th, a solid south swell rolls in, but it’s a beast – way too big for this break. We’re talking 11-12ft plus, and while the wind is offshore and clean, it’s just too much for anything but experts, and even then it’s sketchy. Thursday the 17th is still oversized, with 10ft plus on the face, though it’s clean. The energy is strong, with the combined swell energy reading 1634 on Thursday morning. If you’re a charger, this is the window, but be honest about your limits.
Friday the 18th drops to a more manageable 5ft, but the wind turns against us, making it choppy and messy. We then hit a flat spell over the weekend and into Monday the 21st, with tiny waves and no real push. It goes quiet for a few days.
The next real hope comes around Tuesday the 22nd, with a bit of a bump back up to 5-6ft, but again, the wind is onshore and it’s not pretty. The rest of that week into the following weekend is a struggle – mostly cross-onshore winds and small, poor-quality surf.
But hold on. Sunday the 27th is the one to watch. The wind swings offshore and clean, and we get a mix of new energy pushing 5-6ft. The combined swell energy is moderate at 384, and the waves are clean. It’s not huge, but it’s fun and it’s clean. That early Sunday session looks like the best bet on offer in this whole stretch.
So, the standout window is that Wednesday and Thursday when it’s way too big, and then Sunday the 27th when it’s clean and manageable. The short-period, weaker stuff in between isn’t worth your time.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 24°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Mon night, strong winds from the S by Wed afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sat morning, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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 12 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 7 | ENE 6 | S 8 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 16 | S 8 | S 9 | S 21 | S 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
132 | 115 | 141 | 44 | 28 | 838 | 2089 | 2888 | 2875 | 1624 | 952 | 474 | 421 | 372 | 198 | 130 | 79 | 52 | 39 | 34 | 104 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | on | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 10:13PM1.25m | 10:34AM1.46m | 10:54PM1.12m | 11:13AM1.40m | 11:39PM1.01m | 11:59AM1.34m | 00:34AM0.92m | 12:54PM1.27m | 1:48AM0.86m | 2:04PM1.24m | 3:16AM0.87m | 3:16PM1.25m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 4:15PM0.24m | 4:10AM0.28m | 5:01PM0.31m | 4:42AM0.37m | 5:51PM0.39m | 5:18AM0.46m | 6:50PM0.46m | 6:02AM0.53m | 8:02PM0.50m | 7:03AM0.59m | 9:21PM0.50m | 8:23AM0.62m | 10:27PM0.45m | ||||||||
5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | |
— | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 17 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 24 | 24 | 19 | 27 | 25 | 26 |
Feels °C | 18 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | S 11 | NE 6 | NE 7 | ENE 6 | NE 7 | ENE 14 | ENE 13 | E 13 | S 19 | S 10 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 8 | NE 5 |
33 | 82 | 88 | 44 | 28 | 7 | 20 | 16 | 3 | 7 | 952 | 474 | 421 | 372 | 198 | 130 | 76 | 52 | 39 | 23 | 12 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | ENE 12 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | E 14 | ENE 14 | — | — | E 13 | S 19 | E 13 | S 18 | S 18 | S 17 | S 15 | S 16 | ENE 4 | — | S 21 | S 18 |
132 | 15 | 50 | 30 | 15 | 15 | 20 | — | — | 3 | 28 | 3 | 25 | 96 | 138 | 110 | 79 | 5 | — | 34 | 104 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 13 | — | E 12 | — | E 13 | S 16 | — | — | — | — | E 13 | S 19 | E 12 | E 12 | NE 4 | NNE 4 | E 12 | S 16 | S 17 | S 11 | S 11 |
17 | — | 12 | — | 14 | 5 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 19 | 6 | 2 | 21 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NW 3 | S 4 | S 8 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | NNE 4 | WNW 3 | E 2 | — | — | NE 3 | NW 2 |
54 | 115 | 141 | 2 | 7 | 838 | 2089 | 2888 | 2875 | 1624 | — | — | — | — | 12 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 11 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 230 | 11 | 0 | 1358 | 168 | 781 | 787 | 135 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 3 | 37 | 0 | 0 | 91 | 2 | 9 | 101 | 2 |
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.










