Backsides Surf Break

Lat Long: 28.84° S 153.61° E

Backsides Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 20 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Backsides sea temperature is
20.4° C
0.4° 

Backsides surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Backsides surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period, ESE swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, ESE swell with 2,787 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period with ESE swell.

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 Tuesday (Jul 21) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Backsides in the next 16 days are 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 2s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Tue 21st Jul)8ft (2.5m) 10s
Best Surf 1AM (Tue 21st Jul)8ft (2.5m) 10s
Most Powerful10AM (Mon 20th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 10s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSE on Mon morning, calm by Tue night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
!
!
1
2
2
0
2
2
0
1
0
0
2
3
2
2
3
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3.5
ESE
10
3
ESE
10
2.5
ESE
10
2.2
E
10
1.8
ESE
9
1.7
E
10
1.5
E
10
1.5
E
9
1.3
E
9
1.2
E
8
1.1
E
8
0.9
ENE
8
1.8
SSE
6
1.8
SSE
7
1.4
SSE
10
1.2
S
11
1.2
SSE
13
1
S
12
1.1
SSE
14
1.1
S
12
1.2
S
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2787
1882
1479
942
552
544
417
364
263
205
165
109
256
355
402
345
531
279
507
371
390
Wind (km/h)
30
SSE
25
SSE
20
SE
20
SSE
15
SSE
5
SE
5
W
10
NNE
15
NNW
10
WSW
15
SE
15
SW
25
S
20
S
15
WSW
5
WNW
10
SE
10
WSW
10
WSW
10
ESE
10
WSW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
off
cross-on
cross-off
off
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
12:52PM1.12m
00:43AM1.16m
1:49PM1.13m
1:25AM1.03m
2:55PM1.17m
2:15AM0.93m
4:04PM1.23m
3:22AM0.87m
5:04PM1.32m
4:42AM0.86m
5:54PM1.41m
5:49AM0.89m
6:35PM1.50m
Low Tide
6:45PM0.45m
7:15AM0.28m
7:47PM0.56m
7:55AM0.33m
9:04PM0.63m
8:39AM0.37m
10:39PM0.65m
9:30AM0.40m
11:55PM0.62m
10:26AM0.41m
00:47AM0.56m
11:21AM0.40m
1:27AM0.49m
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:35
6:35
6:35
6:33
6:33
6:33
6:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:08
5:09
5:09
5:10
 mm
2
Temp °C
18
18
18
18
18
18
17
19
18
19
18
17
15
15
14
16
15
14
16
16
16
Feels °C
12
13
13
16
16
17
17
18
15
18
16
16
10
10
12
15
13
13
15
14
16
  • 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 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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