Backdoor 4 Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming up for Backdoor 4. This is a reliable reef setup, very consistent, and it likes swell from the east. It’s an intermediate-level wave, but don’t let that fool you – when it’s on, it’s on.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start. Wednesday the 29th is a dud. Tiny, weak energy (34) and messy cross-shore wind. Nothing to bother with. You’re better off doing something else.

Thursday the 30th is where it starts to wake up. The morning brings a solid 7ft south swell, with a 10-second period, and that light offshore wind from the WSW. The water temp is about average for this time of year. The combined energy is moderate (757), and the conditions are clean. This is a proper session. The afternoon eases a bit to 5ft, but the wind goes straight offshore from the SSE. Still good, still clean.

Friday the 31st gets a bit serious. The morning swell is 7ft from the south, but the energy is strong (1872). The problem is, that’s getting too big for this break, and the wind is cross-off. It’s a bit of a toss-up, but if you’re an expert and you know the reef, the afternoon looks better. The swell drops to 7ft, the wind goes offshore from the south, and the energy is still solid (794). The wave quality is very good.

Saturday the 1st of August is a standout. The morning is magic. 5ft south swell, 10-second period, and glassy conditions. The wind is a whisper from the SW. The energy is moderate (440), but that clean, glassy surface will make it feel like a dream. This is the best on offer for the first week. The afternoon is a bit more marginal with a cross-shore wind, so get it in the morning.

Sunday the 2nd is a write-off. Onshore wind and poor conditions. The same goes for Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th – just a flat spell with weak, choppy waves. That’s a solid three-day gap with nothing.

Wednesday the 5th and Thursday the 6th are a bit better, but not great. Thursday morning sees a 6ft south swell (739 energy) but with cross-shore wind, making it bumpy. The afternoon gets a big 8ft swell (1250 energy), but it’s too big for the break again.

Now, here’s another highlight. Friday the 7th of August. The morning is glassy again, with a 6ft south-southeast swell and strong energy (851). The wind is a flat calm from the WNW. The wave quality is expected to be very good. This is the second big standout. The afternoon stays clean, too.

Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th of August are still solid. Saturday morning has 5ft swell with clean conditions. Sunday morning is a real treat – 3ft south-southeast swell, 8-second period, and glassy with no wind at all. The energy is low (203), but it’ll be a fun, mellow session.

After that, the wheels fall off. From Monday the 10th through Wednesday the 13th, it’s a long stretch of poor conditions. Strong onshore winds, lumpy, choppy, and weak swells. The afternoon of Wednesday the 12th has a 5ft swell with clean conditions, but the period is short (8 seconds), so the shape will be weak. Not worth getting excited about at this range.

To wrap it up: your best bets are the morning of Saturday the 1st of August and the morning of Friday the 7th of August. Both are glassy, clean, and have decent swell. The rest of the window is either too big, too windy, or flat.

Rusty.

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