Backsides surfForecast / NSW – North Coast / Australia

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 10 pm Saturday 13 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
23.7° C
(Which is slightly cooler than normal)


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 Sunday (Dec 14) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 5s. 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 2.1m 7s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Monday (Dec 15) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11AM (Sun 14th Dec)3ft (0.9m) 9s
Best Surf 5AM (Mon 15th Dec)4.5ft (1.3m) 6s
Most Powerful 5AM (Wed 17th Dec)7ft (2.1m) 7s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 27°C on Sun afternoon, min 21°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 24°C on Fri afternoon, min 19°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Wed morning, calm by Fri morning).

Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Sat
20
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.8
ESE
0.9
ESE
0.8
ESE
0.8
ESE
0.8
E
1
S
1.6
S
2
SSE
2
SSE
2.1
SE
2
ESE
1.7
ESE
1.5
E
1.4
E
1.4
E
1.3
E
1.1
E
1.1
E
1.1
E
1
E
0.8
E
Period(s) (?)1099886777778888888888
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)13114910685806223340041742838434526522722320214414614212778
Wind
(km/h)
20
N
15
NNW
20
NNE
15
NNW
25
S
20
SSE
25
SSE
25
SSE
25
SE
30
SSE
25
SE
25
SE
15
SSE
15
ESE
15
ESE
5
NNE
10
ENE
25
NE
20
N
20
NNE
30
NNE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
crosscrosscrosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
ononcross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscrosscross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
5:22AM
1.07
4:48PM
1.00
6:11AM
1.18
5:40PM
0.96
6:54AM
1.30
6:30PM
0.95
7:33AM
1.41
7:18PM
0.95
8:11AM
1.50
8:04PM
0.95
8:48AM
1.57
8:48PM
0.95
9:24AM
1.62
Low Tide
/ height (m)
10:33PM
0.24
11:09AM
0.52
11:12PM
0.24
12:17PM
0.52
11:51PM
0.24
1:15PM
0.51
12:29AM
0.24
2:05PM
0.48
1:08AM
0.25
2:50PM
0.44
1:47AM
0.25
3:32PM
0.40
2:26AM
0.26
4:13PM
0.35
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Sat
20
Sunrise-5:39--5:41--5:41--5:41--5:41--5:41--5:43-
Sunset--7:37--7:38--7:39--7:39--7:40--7:40--7:42
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
light rain
light rain
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
Rain (mm)
------21241-12-------
Temp. °C242427252424232322222122222323222324232626
Feels °C (?)232427242723232320201819202222222322212423
  • 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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