
Surf Forecasts:
Backsides surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period, ESE swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 8s period, ESE swell with 698 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 11s period with S 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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Backsides in the next 16 days are 2.4m 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Backsides over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 45mm), heaviest during Mon morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Sat morning, light winds from the SSE by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 7 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 7 | SSE 7 | S 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | S 7 | SSE 6 | ESE 6 | E 7 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
196 | 149 | 98 | 128 | 212 | 333 | 357 | 257 | 181 | 173 | 322 | 219 | 295 | 191 | 97 | 215 | 616 | 670 | 549 | 326 | 302 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:16PM1.82m | 8:37AM1.26m | 8:58PM1.76m | 9:19AM1.30m | 9:37PM1.67m | 10:00AM1.32m | 10:14PM1.53m | 10:40AM1.31m | 10:50PM1.38m | 11:22AM1.29m | 11:23PM1.23m | 12:06PM1.27m | 11:56PM1.10m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:39PM0.14m | 2:52AM0.14m | 2:28PM0.11m | 3:29AM0.12m | 3:14PM0.13m | 4:05AM0.13m | 3:59PM0.18m | 4:38AM0.17m | 4:43PM0.27m | 5:11AM0.22m | 5:27PM0.39m | 5:42AM0.28m | 6:16PM0.51m | ||||||||
6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | |
— | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
Temp °C | 20 | 19 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 18 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 7 | S 8 | E 9 | S 8 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSE 7 | S 7 | ENE 10 | S 7 | E 7 | S 16 | S 16 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
196 | 149 | 98 | 55 | 212 | 43 | 253 | 42 | 42 | 28 | 28 | 219 | 295 | 32 | 60 | 215 | 5 | 5 | 549 | 326 | 302 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | NE 10 | E 9 | NE 9 | SSE 19 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | ENE 9 | E 5 | SSE 16 | ENE 10 | S 8 | E 13 | E 13 | S 10 | S 9 | SE 11 |
83 | 85 | 83 | 60 | 43 | 4 | 43 | 3 | 35 | 25 | 22 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 32 | 74 | 3 | 3 | 16 | 15 | 31 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 6 | S 9 | NNE 7 | S 19 | NE 9 | S 15 | S 20 | N 8 | S 20 | SSE 19 | E 10 | E 15 | ENE 7 | SSE 12 | E 13 | E 13 | S 9 | E 12 | S 19 |
11 | 10 | 9 | 43 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 30 | 1 | 8 | 36 | 49 | 4 | 11 | 29 | 3 | 3 | 28 | 3 | 7 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WSW 4 | S 7 | — | S 8 | S 8 | S 7 | SSE 7 | S 6 | SSE 7 | — | ESE 5 | SSE 6 | ESE 6 | — | SE 8 | ESE 8 | — | SSE 8 | SSE 8 |
— | — | 16 | 128 | — | 333 | 357 | 257 | 181 | 173 | 322 | — | 51 | 191 | 97 | — | 616 | 670 | — | 158 | 193 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 62 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 4 | 4 | 34 | 4 | 23 | 251 | 34 | 23 | 34 | 23 | 15 | 76 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Coast - New South Wales | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Latest Updates
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.











