Surf Forecasts:
Backdoor 4 surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 15 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 7s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 11 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 11s period, S swell with 723 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s 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 1.4m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s 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 1.8m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s 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) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 4PM (Sat 15th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Tue 11th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Backdoor 4 over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s scan the next sixteen days for this part of the coast. The surf will start quiet for a day or two, then start rollin’.
Water temp is about 64° right now, which is 1° cooler than normal for this time of year – so nothing too crazy, just a touch on the cool side.
Our spot is Backdoor 4. It’s a reef break that breaks very consistently, and it loves an east swell best. It can get a crowd sometimes.
On Tuesday the 11th, Tuesday afternoon, there is some action: a 5ft south swell at 11 seconds, with strong energy (640). The wind is a light cross-shore from the WNW – a little bumpy, but surfable. Marginal but might get a couple.
Wednesday and Thursday morning are poor. But Thursday afternoon is the first real standout. A clean 7ft south swell, period 9 seconds, and massive energy (1095). The wind is a clean cross-off from the SE. This is powerful, heavy surf for the experienced crew. Too big for beginners.
Friday the 14th morning is a treat: glassy calm, 4ft south swell (239 energy). Clean, lined-up conditions – perfect for a quiet session. Crowds possible.
Saturday 15th afternoon: a 7ft south swell (536 energy) with a fresh offshore south wind blowing 19 mph. The report says it is too big for this reef, which makes sense – experts only here.
Sunday 16th through Wednesday 19th is mostly clean but not doing much exciting.
Friday the 21st morning goes glassy again. Calm wind, 3ft east swell at 9 seconds (212 energy). Nice clean fun-size waves.
Saturday 22nd morning is messy cross-shore, but the afternoon sees a fresh offshore south wind at 22 mph with a 4ft east-northeast swell (302 energy). It will be clean, but not huge.
Now Sunday the 23rd morning – this is a big one: a 6ft east-northeast swell, 10 seconds, and energy through the roof at 1207. The wind is a moderate cross-off from the SW. That is serious clean power. Again, only for the well-experienced.
Tuesday 25th afternoon: clean moderate offshore south wind at 12 mph, 7ft south swell (727 energy), period 9 seconds. Very good conditions, same deal – big for most.
Wednesday 26th is small, just 4ft south swell, light cross-off, nothing special.
The best bets: Thursday 13th afternoon’s 7ft south swell with clean cross-off wind, and Sunday 23rd morning’s 6ft east-northeast swell with clean wind and massive energy. Both are for expert surfers. Get out there if you’ve got the skills.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun night, min 13°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, fresh winds from the SE by Sun morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 9 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | ENE 10 | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 76 | 563 | 606 | 333 | 164 | 111 | 52 | 651 | 208 | 202 | 165 | 168 | 226 | 483 | 226 | 167 | 306 | 452 | 539 | 465 | 464 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:02PM1.78m | 7:49AM1.20m | 7:50PM1.80m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:29PM0.27m | 1:50AM-0.00m | 1:22PM0.22m | 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 | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — |
 | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 20 | 20 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 8 | 13 | 16 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 7 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | S 7 | S 10 | S 15 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | S 11 | ESE 8 |
| kJ | 97 | 563 | 606 | 333 | 164 | 111 | 29 | 408 | 208 | 202 | 165 | 168 | 17 | 18 | 226 | 33 | 39 | 20 | 29 | 57 | 464 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 15 | S 13 | ENE 10 | S 16 | ENE 10 | SSW 12 | ENE 10 | SSW 12 | S 9 |
| kJ | 76 | 75 | 47 | 54 | 51 | 52 | 52 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 18 | 31 | 18 | 46 | 20 | 52 | 30 | 26 | 15 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | N 4 | — | S 16 | S 12 | S 19 | S 14 | S 19 | S 19 | S 16 | — | S 14 | S 18 | ENE 10 | S 11 | ENE 10 | S 9 | — | S 11 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 1 | — | 5 | 3 | 7 | 16 | 7 | 64 | 21 | — | 4 | 56 | 19 | 10 | 10 | 6 | — | 10 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | NW 3 | W 4 | WNW 3 | NW 3 | W 4 | SSW 6 | S 9 | — | — | — | — | S 7 | S 7 | SE 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | — |
| kJ | 12 | 2 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 64 | 651 | — | — | — | — | 226 | 483 | 31 | 167 | 306 | 452 | 539 | 465 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 130 | 248 | 248 | 226 | 215 | 176 | 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.
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