Backsides surfForecast / NSW – North Coast / Australia

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 3 am Saturday 18 Apr 2026 AEST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Backsides surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Backsides sea temperature is
24.8° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Backsides this week:

The surf forecast for Backsides over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Apr 19) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Backsides in the next 16 days are 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Apr 20) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Apr 18) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Sun 19th Apr)6ft (1.8m) 9s
Best Surf 7AM (Sun 19th Apr)7ft (2.1m) 12s
Most Powerful 4AM (Mon 20th Apr)11ft (3.5m) 13s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 22°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 15°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds.

Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
2
4
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1
3
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.1
S
1.8
SSE
2
SSE
1.7
S
2.2
SSE
2.3
SSE
3
SSE
3
SSE
3
SSE
2.5
SSE
3
SSE
2.5
SSE
2.5
SSE
2.4
SSE
2.4
SSE
2.4
SSE
2.5
SSE
2.5
SSE
2.1
SE
2
SE
1.8
SE
Period(s) (?)779111212131312111111101011101011111110
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)465337645669138416072432274724191815190913951280108612851262135214631009915721
Wind
(km/h)
25
S
25
SSE
15
S
15
SSW
20
SE
15
SW
20
SSW
25
S
20
SSW
25
SSW
30
SSE
25
SSW
25
SW
30
SSE
25
SSW
25
SSW
25
S
20
SSE
15
SSW
20
SSE
15
SSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscross-
on
crosscross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
crosscrosscross-
off
crosscross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
8:59PM
1.67
9:15AM
1.23
9:46PM
1.69
10:03AM
1.13
10:36PM
1.67
10:56AM
1.02
11:31PM
1.62
11:59AM
0.92
12:34AM
1.53
1:16PM
0.86
1:45AM
1.45
2:47PM
0.87
3:00AM
1.39
Low Tide
/ height (m)
2:29PM
0.12
3:28AM
0.18
3:09PM
0.14
4:23AM
0.22
3:52PM
0.19
5:22AM
0.26
4:41PM
0.25
6:28AM
0.30
5:38PM
0.32
7:42AM
0.32
6:47PM
0.38
8:57AM
0.30
8:06PM
0.41
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Sunrise6:03--6:05--6:05--6:05--6:07--6:07--6:07--
Sunset-5:24--5:23--5:22--5:22--5:21--5:20--5:19-
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
thunderstorm
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
Rain (mm)
--------2--2--4152---
Temp. °C222221212121212121212121212120202121222221
Feels °C (?)191818191819171717161617171716161817181918
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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 Backsides Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Backsides provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Backsides can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Backsides 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 (Backsides) 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 Backsides 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.

Backsides is 5 km (3 miles) from Ballina. If you plan a holiday in North Coast - New South Wales, look for hotels and other accommodation in Ballina. Ballina has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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