Backdoor 4 Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.28° S 151.57° E

Backdoor 4 Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 20 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Backdoor 4 sea temperature is
17.4° C
0.9° 

Backdoor 4 surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Backdoor 4 surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 11s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 11s period, S swell with 785 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 11s 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 4s. The wind is predicted to be glassy 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 8s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Sun 23rd Aug)3ft (0.9m) 11s
Best Surf10AM (Thu 27th Aug)6ft (1.8m) 11s
Most Powerful10AM (Thu 27th Aug)6ft (1.8m) 11s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Backdoor 4 over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let's get into it.

First off, the water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing wild. We're looking at a bit of a slow start at Backdoor 4 (reef). The first few days are flat and choppy, nothing worth paddling out for. Friday the 21st and Saturday the 22nd are a write-off – tiny, weak swell, messy wind. You'd be wasting your time.

Then, Sunday morning the 23rd shows a glimmer of hope. The wind goes glassy, and we get a pulse of 3ft swell from the south, with a period of 10 seconds. The combined energy is moderate at 235, and it's glassy. It's a decent window for a session, but the swell is still small and the window is short. By afternoon it's already getting chopped up.

The real standout is Thursday the 27th. That's the one to circle on the calendar. We're looking at a solid 6ft south swell, 11-second period, combined energy around 829 – that's strong. The wind is light and cross-offshore both morning and afternoon, keeping it clean. This is the best on offer, no question.

After that, Friday the 28th afternoon has a clean 3ft east-northeast swell with light cross-off wind, worth a look but much smaller. The weekend of the 29th and 30th sees a strong offshore wind, but it's howling at 28 mph on Saturday, making it hard to paddle into. Sunday the 30th afternoon has an 8ft east-northeast swell, but it's predicted to be too big for this break, so that's for experts only and the wind is fresh.

After that, from Monday the 31st of August through the first few days of September, we get a run of cleaner conditions with smaller, rideable swell in the 3ft to 5ft range, east-northeast to east direction, with light to gentle cross-off breezes. Consistent and fun, but nothing pumping.

Bottom line: Thursday the 27th is the one. Don't miss it.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sat morning, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 23°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NE on Mon afternoon, light winds from the NNE by Tue afternoon).

Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
ENE
6
0.7
ENE
6
0.5
ENE
6
0.4
NE
6
0.3
ENE
6
0.4
NE
6
0.4
NE
6
1
S
10
0.5
S
15
1.1
S
10
0.9
S
10
0.8
S
10
0.7
S
10
0.6
S
9
0.9
ENE
7
1.2
ENE
8
1.1
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
8
1.2
S
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
90
41
21
9
7
9
12
218
113
252
156
116
94
62
66
150
165
105
195
Wind (km/h)
15
NW
15
NW
25
NW
15
NW
15
WNW
15
ESE
10
SSW
5
E
20
ENE
15
NNE
15
NNE
30
NE
15
N
15
NNE
20
NE
15
NW
20
WNW
15
W
20
WSW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
off
glassy
cross
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
High Tide
2:17AM0.88m
2:54PM1.27m
3:41AM0.86m
4:01PM1.29m
4:54AM0.89m
4:58PM1.35m
5:47AM0.94m
5:46PM1.42m
6:29AM1.01m
6:27PM1.49m
7:06AM1.09m
7:05PM1.54m
Low Tide
7:49AM0.53m
10:05PM0.51m
8:59AM0.56m
11:10PM0.46m
10:09AM0.54m
11:58PM0.39m
11:07AM0.50m
00:37AM0.32m
11:56AM0.43m
1:12AM0.24m
12:39PM0.37m
1:43AM0.18m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
heavy rain
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:26
6:24
6:22
6:22
6:20
6:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:28
5:29
5:29
5:30
5:30
5:30
 mm
1
12
3
1
Temp °C
19
19
19
16
20
19
17
16
17
16
18
19
17
23
22
17
21
22
13
Feels °C
16
15
14
12
18
15
16
14
14
13
14
14
14
19
19
16
19
19
7
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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