Backdoor 4 Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.28° S 151.57° E

Backdoor 4 Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 23 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Backdoor 4 sea temperature is
18.5° C
0.2° 

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 22 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s period, S swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s period, S swell with 1,864 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 9s period with ENE 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 (Jul 23) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Backdoor 4 in the next 16 days are 2.2m 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1PM (Thu 23rd Jul)2.5ft (0.8m) 9s
Best Surf 1AM (Sat 25th Jul)7ft (2.2m) 14s
Most Powerful 1AM (Sat 25th Jul)7ft (2.2m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let me break it down for you in feet and degrees.

The first week is a bit of a mixed bag. We’ve got a solid run of south swell energy coming through from Friday the 24th through to Sunday the 26th, with moderate wave energy (around 599 to 845) and clean conditions. The standout in that first stretch is definitely Friday afternoon, July 24th, at Backdoor 4. You’re looking at a 6ft south swell with a 10-second period, a light cross-offshore breeze, and the water is sitting at a normal 65°. The combined energy is moderate (640) and the setup is clean. That’s the pick of the early days – proper surfable waves.

Come Monday morning, July 27th, the swell drops back to 4ft from the south, but the wind goes glassy. That’s a rare treat. It’s a smaller day, but if you want a morning without a single ripple, that’s your window. The energy is weaker (235), but the glassy conditions will make it feel better than the size suggests.

Then from Tuesday the 28th through Wednesday the 29th, it all goes quiet. Strong cross-onshore winds and tiny swell – barely anything. There’s a gap of about three days with nothing worth chasing.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Thursday, July 30th – the swell jumps big. We’re seeing a 10ft to 13ft south swell, with very strong combined energy (1692 to 3077). That’s expert territory. The wind is clean cross-off, but the size is too big for this break. This is a setup that looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. If you’re a seasoned charger, the Thursday afternoon has a 13ft south swell at 10 seconds and clean conditions – but it’s a beast. The Friday the 31st is even bigger, with an 12ft to 10ft SSE swell and near gale winds on the morning. That’s not surfable – it’s a washing machine.

The first weekend of August, Saturday the 1st and Sunday the 2nd, the swell drops back to a more manageable 6ft to 4ft from the SSE. Good wind, clean conditions, and moderate energy (626 to 246). Sunday afternoon sees a proper offshore breeze, which is a nice bonus. Not the biggest, but clean and user-friendly.

After that, the second week fades out. Small swell, mostly 3ft to 4ft, with inconsistent energy and ordinary conditions. Monday morning, August 4th, offers a tiny 3ft SE swell with glassy conditions – that’s a dawny for the patient surfer. The energy is weak (164), but it’s dead calm.

So, the real standout is Friday afternoon, July 24th at Backdoor 4 – that 6ft south swell with clean cross-off wind is the best you’ll get. The second shout is Monday morning, July 27th for the glassy 4ft south swell. After that, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 7°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Thu night, calm by Fri afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
0
2
3
!
1
1
2
3
3
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
ENE
9
0.8
ENE
9
0.5
ENE
9
1.7
S
10
1.8
S
10
2.2
S
14
1.8
S
11
1.4
S
10
1.3
S
11
1.8
S
11
1.6
S
11
1.4
S
10
1.2
S
9
1
S
8
0.8
S
8
0.6
S
9
0.5
S
8
0.3
S
8
0.2
S
15
0.2
S
19
0.9
S
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
116
90
44
557
585
1864
826
416
403
828
564
356
230
143
88
53
35
11
18
28
136
Wind (km/h)
15
W
10
SE
25
SW
15
SW
10
ESE
15
WNW
10
WNW
5
NE
20
WSW
10
WSW
10
SE
10
WSW
5
WSW
10
ENE
15
N
10
NNW
20
NNW
20
WNW
30
NW
25
NW
30
WNW
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
3:42PM1.32m
4:06AM0.89m
4:36PM1.36m
5:13AM0.89m
5:27PM1.40m
6:08AM0.93m
6:12PM1.46m
6:53AM0.97m
6:54PM1.52m
7:33AM1.02m
7:32PM1.57m
8:10AM1.07m
8:08PM1.60m
Low Tide
10:38PM0.50m
9:37AM0.49m
11:38PM0.44m
10:34AM0.49m
00:26AM0.38m
11:27AM0.47m
1:07AM0.32m
12:15PM0.43m
1:44AM0.26m
12:57PM0.39m
2:19AM0.21m
1:38PM0.36m
2:52AM0.17m
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:50
6:50
6:50
6:50
6:48
6:48
6:48
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:07
5:08
5:09
5:09
5:10
5:12
5:12
 mm
1
Temp °C
19
18
12
13
13
12
16
18
15
14
15
15
14
16
15
18
19
15
15
13
8
Feels °C
16
15
5
10
10
8
13
15
10
12
14
15
13
13
12
14
14
10
8
6
1
  • Map Icons:
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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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