Backdoor 4 Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let me break this down plain and simple. Right now, there’s nothing worth paddling out for. We’ve got a rough stretch of messy, small, and onshore junk until the end of the first week. The good news is, the second half of this forecast has some real quality on tap.

From August 9th through the 11th, it’s a write-off. Tiny swell and crappy cross-shore winds. Choppy water, no shape. Save your wax.

The 12th starts to clean up a little on Wednesday afternoon, but the swell is weak, only about 0.8m with energy around 187. Not worth a paddle.

Now, Thursday the 13th morning gets real interesting, but it’s a double-edged sword. We’ve got a big 2.1m south swell hitting Backdoor 4, with strong energy (887), and the wind is offshore—clean as a whistle. The problem is, that size is just too much for this break. The file itself says the swell is predicted to be too big. That’s expert-only territory, and even then, it’s pushing it. Beginners and intermediates, stay on the beach. The afternoon drops to 1.8m, but it’s still considered marginal.

Friday the 14th morning is where I’d point you. The swell drops to 1.7m, still from the south, with an 8-second period (so a bit short, but punchy). The wind is light offshore from the west-southwest. Clean conditions, moderate energy at 625. This is the best balance of size and quality in this first week for an intermediate-to-expert surfer.

Saturday the 15th picks up with offshore winds in the afternoon, 1.8m of south swell, but the period is short (7 seconds). Wave energy is 358. Rideable, but not the standout.

Sunday the 16th is a total dud. Tiny, long-period groundswell at 18 seconds but only 0.4m. Energy is weak (124). Not a wave you can ride with confidence.

The second week opens with a messy Monday the 17th. Skip it.

Now, Tuesday the 18th is the absolute best of the bunch. Morning session at Backdoor 4 is dreamy. You’ve got 1.6m of southeast swell with a nice 10-second period (good quality groundswell). The wind is light offshore from the south, making for clean, lined-up waves. Wave energy is 568 (moderate to strong). This is the sweet spot for the break. Crowds are common here, but when it’s this good, you’ll have company. The afternoon holds up with 1.5m and clean cross-offshore wind. This is your session.

Wednesday the 19th is another very good day. Morning offshore, 1.6m of swell, clean faces. Afternoon stays clean at 1.5m. Energy around 500. Really solid.

Thursday the 20th fades fast. Swell drops, winds go onshore. Not worth it.

Friday the 21st is messy and choppy.

The last weekend (August 22nd to 24th) offers some fun, clean waves. Saturday and Sunday see 1.3m to 1.5m of east-northeast swell with periods around 8-10 seconds. Winds are light to clean. Wave energy is moderate (260-318). Not the biggest or best of the window, but a clean, fun option. Sunday the 23rd morning is glassy—a real treat. Monday the 24th has offshore winds but a risk of thunderstorms.

So, bottom line: Tuesday 18th August at Backdoor 4 is the top pick. Wednesday 19th is a close second. For a sleeper, hit Friday morning the 14th.

Water temp is about 64°F, which is just a hair cooler than average for this time of year, nothing crazy.

That’s the scoop. Paddles up.

Rusty.

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