Backsides surfForecast / NSW – North Coast / Australia

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 10 am Sunday 21 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
24.1° 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 Monday (Dec 22) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Backsides in the next 12 days are 3.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Dec 26) 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 2.2m 7s period and expected on Monday (Dec 22) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Mon 22nd Dec)4.5ft (1.3m) 7s
Best Surf 2AM (Thu 25th Dec)3.5ft (1.1m) 10s
Most Powerful 5AM (Fri 26th Dec)10ft (3.0m) 8s

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 6mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 31°C on Mon afternoon, min 23°C on Sun morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Sun night, light winds from the W by Mon night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Warm (max 28°C on Thu morning, min 20°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Thu morning, fresh winds from the SSE by Thu night).

Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Friday
26
Saturday
27
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.3
NNE
1.8
NNE
0.1
NE
0.2
E
0.3
NE
0.3
NE
0.3
NE
0.4
NE
0.4
NE
0.4
NE
0.9
SSE
1.1
SSE
0.7
S
1.2
SSE
2.5
SSE
2.4
SSE
2.3
SSE
1.4
S
1.2
S
1.2
S
1.3
S
Period(s) (?)661881616151514146109588811111110
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)1192181211403933557471522457483749663575492345326339
Wind
(km/h)
20
NNE
35
NNE
30
N
20
N
35
NNE
10
WSW
10
NW
15
NNE
15
SSE
15
SSE
15
ENE
10
NW
15
SSE
30
SSE
30
SSE
25
SE
25
SSE
20
SE
15
SE
15
ESE
10
ESE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscrosscrosscrosscrossoffcross-
off
crosscrosscrossoncross-
off
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
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
2:10AM
0.98
2:09PM
1.26
3:12AM
1.06
Low Tide
/ height (m)
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
8:07PM
0.21
7:51AM
0.39
8:52PM
0.21
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Friday
26
Saturday
27
Sunrise5:43--5:43--5:43--5:45--5:45--5:46--5:46--
Sunset-7:42--7:43--7:43--7:44--7:44--7:45--7:45-
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
------1-532---2--1---
Temp. °C293025293126243027242524282523222221222222
Feels °C (?)282622293024263228252626292220191818192020
  • 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 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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