Backsides surfForecast / NSW – North Coast / Australia

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 10 am Friday 09 Jan 2026 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
25.1° 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 Saturday (Jan 10) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 12s. 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 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jan 12) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 12s period and expected on Sunday (Jan 11) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Sat 10th Jan)5ft (1.5m) 8s
Best Surf 8AM (Mon 12th Jan)8ft (2.4m) 8s
Most Powerful 5AM (Mon 12th Jan)8ft (2.5m) 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 3mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 28°C on Sun afternoon, min 22°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Sat morning, fresh winds from the SSE by Sun night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 39mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Warm (max 26°C on Wed afternoon, min 22°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Mon morning, calm by Wed night).

Friday
09
Saturday
10
Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.2
ENE
1.3
ENE
1.4
ENE
1.5
ENE
1.7
ENE
1.6
ENE
1.7
ENE
1.6
ENE
2
S
1.8
S
1.4
ENE
1.2
ENE
1.2
S
1.4
S
0.9
E
1.1
E
1.2
ENE
1.3
ENE
1.3
ENE
1.3
ENE
1.1
ENE
Period(s) (?)778888887899878888898
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)143167226291374322392347364422326227169203105157197212201232180
Wind
(km/h)
15
NE
20
NE
20
NNE
20
NNE
30
NNE
25
N
20
NNE
5
ESE
35
SSE
20
ESE
15
SE
10
SE
10
SSE
10
ESE
15
NE
15
E
15
E
10
ESE
10
ESE
15
ENE
10
NNE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
crosscrosscross-
on
crossoncross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
oncross-
on
ononcross-
on
cross-
on
oncross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
1:22PM
1.25
2:18AM
1.05
2:01PM
1.12
3:18AM
1.08
2:43PM
1.01
4:23AM
1.13
3:34PM
0.93
5:26AM
1.22
4:39PM
0.89
6:20AM
1.32
5:53PM
0.88
7:06AM
1.42
6:58PM
0.90
Low Tide
/ height (m)
8:01PM
0.24
8:04AM
0.49
8:38PM
0.28
9:06AM
0.58
9:17PM
0.31
10:24AM
0.64
10:01PM
0.34
11:52AM
0.65
10:51PM
0.37
1:03PM
0.61
11:42PM
0.38
1:55PM
0.55
12:34AM
0.37
Friday
09
Saturday
10
Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
Sunrise5:54--5:56--5:56--5:58--5:58--5:58--6:00--
Sunset-7:47--7:47--7:47--7:47--7:47--7:47--7:47-
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
heavy rain
light rain
mod rain
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
Rain (mm)
--------3441237621----
Temp. °C242524262725272825252523232324252625262625
Feels °C (?)232323262523262826252525262525272627272726
  • 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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