Backdoor 4 Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what the next couple of weeks are serving up. We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but the back half of the run has some real firepower if you can wait it out. The first real nod for a paddle comes in on Monday the 7th, so we’re looking at a few quiet days right off the bat. That gap is about three days of next to nothing worth suiting up for.

Alright, let’s talk about the standout. The pick of the entire window is Tuesday, September 10th here at Backdoor 4. We’ve got a solid pulse of S swell pushing through at 8 ft, period around 9 seconds. The combined energy is pumping at 1092 (strong) – you’ll feel that push. The morning is looking clean with a moderate offshore wind from the S. This is going to be a proper session. Just a heads-up: this is a reef break that’s very consistent and exposed to the south-east, so it’s more for the skilled crew. The water temp is sitting at 66 °F, which is pretty normal for this time of year, no major surprises there.

The next morning, Wednesday, September 11th, is the real sleeper. The wind goes completely glassy – zero, calm – and the swell is a still-chunky 7 ft from the S with an 11-second period. Energy is strong at 1106 (strong). That glass-off is a major positive; you'll be getting clean, lined-up sets. But again, at that size, this is expert territory. The longer period means it’ll be a proper groundswell with heaps of energy and long lulls, which is classic for this kind of reef setup.

Following that, Thursday, September 12th morning is worth a mention. The swell drops to a still-fun 5 ft with glassy conditions (ENE wind at 3 mph). Energy is moderate at 571. This is a much more manageable size for an intermediate surfer, and those clean conditions will make the most of it.

Tuesday, September 17th is another big one to circle on the calendar. The morning brings a clean 5 ft from the S with an 11-second period, light offshore wind, and a combined energy of 650 (moderate to strong). That’s a very solid day of surfing. The afternoon, though, gets a bit wild with a 7 ft, 12-second S swell and a strong offshore wind at 22 mph. The energy rockets to 1852 (very strong). That’s a big, powerful groundswell ripping in, and the wind will be clean, but it’s definitely only for the experienced. That long period (12 secs) will mean it’s gonna be a bit straight at a beach break, but at a reef like this, it should set up beautifully.

Monday, September 16th afternoon is a nice little breather in between the heavy days – 5 ft from the S, 10 second period, clean cross-off wind. Energy is 418. A solid, clean option for a more relaxed session.

A quick note on the deeper future: The wave activity really winds down after the 18th. The 19th and 20th are mostly small, choppy, or onshore junk. Nothing to get excited about.

So, to wrap it up:
- The Headline Act: The Tuesday, September 10th to Wednesday, September 11th stretch is the big daddy. Big S swell, clean wind, glassy conditions. For the experienced surfer only.
- The Sneaky Good Day: Thursday, September 12th morning and Tuesday, September 17th morning offer excellent, powerful surf in a more manageable size range.
- The Bottom Line: This place pumps in the second week. If you can be patient through the first few days of small junk, you’ll be rewarded with some of the best, cleanest, and strongest southern hemi groundswell of the month. Get on it.

Rusty.

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