Backsides surfForecast / NSW – North Coast / Australia

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 10 pm Friday 19 Dec 2025 AEDT
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
24.5° 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 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Dec 23) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 15s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Backsides in the next 12 days are 1.1m 11s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Dec 25) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 6s period and expected on Monday (Dec 22) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Tue 23rd Dec)1ft (0.3m) 15s
Best Surf 2AM (Thu 25th Dec)3.5ft (1.1m) 11s
Most Powerful 2AM (Thu 25th Dec)3.5ft (1.1m) 11s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Backsides over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Mon afternoon, min 20°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 30°C on Tue afternoon, min 22°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Mon night, calm by Thu morning).

Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Fri
26
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.6
E
0.9
NNE
1.4
NNE
1.5
NNE
1.2
NNE
0.2
ESE
0.1
NE
0.2
E
0.3
NE
0.3
NE
0.3
NE
0.3
NE
0.4
NE
1.5
S
1
SE
1.1
S
0.7
S
0.9
SE
1.6
SE
1.6
ESE
1.5
ESE
Period(s) (?)8555691881616151514661196666
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)40399812694712104039333474176692698159200203165
Wind
(km/h)
20
N
20
NNE
35
NNE
25
N
25
NNE
35
NNE
30
N
20
N
35
NNE
20
N
5
NW
10
NNW
10
WSW
15
SSE
15
ENE
5
NW
15
SE
25
SSE
15
SE
15
SE
20
SE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscrosscross-
on
crosscrosscrosscrosscrosscrosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
offcrossoncross-
off
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
8:48PM
0.95
9:24AM
1.62
9:31PM
0.94
10:00AM
1.63
10:14PM
0.93
10:36AM
1.62
10:56PM
0.91
11:13AM
1.58
11:39PM
0.89
11:52AM
1.51
12:24AM
0.90
12:33PM
1.44
1:14AM
0.92
1:19PM
1.35
Low Tide
/ height (m)
2:26AM
0.26
4:13PM
0.35
3:04AM
0.27
4:52PM
0.31
3:43AM
0.27
5:31PM
0.27
4:23AM
0.28
6:09PM
0.25
5:07AM
0.30
6:47PM
0.22
5:54AM
0.32
7:26PM
0.21
6:49AM
0.35
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Fri
26
Sunrise-5:43--5:43--5:43--5:43--5:45--5:45--5:46-
Sunset--7:42--7:42--7:43--7:43--7:44--7:44--7:45
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
clear
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
Rain (mm)
------------121---1635
Temp. °C242728242830252931262730252425242725242323
Feels °C (?)222525212627222829243032252527262823242323
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder

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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 12 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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