Surf Break

Lat Long: 28.84° S 153.61° E

Backsides Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 pm 18 Oct 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Backsides sea temperature is
21.5°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 18 Oct 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 21 Oct, 5PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s period, ENE swell with onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 21 Oct, 5PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s period, ENE swell with 568 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 19 Oct, 8PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period with ENE 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 Monday (Oct 19) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Backsides in the next 16 days are 2.2m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Oct 21) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Oct 25) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Mon 19th Oct)5ft (1.6m) 8s
Best Surf 5PM (Wed 21st Oct)7ft (2.2m) 8s
Most Powerful 5PM (Wed 21st Oct)7ft (2.2m) 8s

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


Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 37mm), heaviest during Mon morning. Warm (max 20°C on Wed afternoon, min 16°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 107mm), heaviest during Thu morning. Warm (max 22°C on Sat afternoon, min 18°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Friday
23
Saturday
24
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
1
1
2
1
!
0
0
0
0
1
0
!
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
SSE
9
1.6
ENE
7
1.6
ENE
8
1.5
E
8
1.4
ENE
8
1.4
ENE
8
1.7
E
8
1.8
ENE
8
2.2
ENE
8
2.2
ENE
7
1.9
ENE
7
1.7
ENE
7
1.6
ENE
7
1.6
ENE
7
1.9
ENE
7
2.1
ENE
8
1.9
ENE
8
1.6
ENE
7
1.3
ENE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
168
261
341
294
251
257
377
437
568
472
345
302
280
256
376
491
393
272
229
Wind (km/h)
10
E
10
ENE
10
ENE
5
W
5
S
5
ESE
0
N
15
S
10
E
25
ENE
25
ENE
20
ENE
20
ENE
10
N
10
ENE
10
NNE
5
NE
20
NE
20
N
Wind State
on
on
on
glassy
cross
cross-on
glassy
cross
on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
3:27AM0.75m
3:29PM1.22m
4:59AM0.81m
4:33PM1.21m
5:53AM0.90m
5:29PM1.23m
6:32AM1.02m
6:17PM1.26m
7:06AM1.16m
7:01PM1.28m
7:41AM1.30m
7:42PM1.29m
Low Tide
9:56PM0.48m
8:24AM0.57m
10:57PM0.42m
9:43AM0.57m
11:41PM0.36m
10:58AM0.53m
00:16AM0.29m
12:00PM0.46m
00:48AM0.24m
12:53PM0.38m
1:20AM0.19m
1:41PM0.31m
1:52AM0.16m
light rain
mod rain
light rain
rain showers
cloud
light rain
mod rain
cloud
rain showers
heavy rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
mod rain
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
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6:05
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6:03
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6:03
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6:01
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6:01
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6:00
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
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—
6:55
—
—
6:57
—
—
6:57
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—
6:58
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6:59
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6:59
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 mm
5
8
5
6
—
4
7
—
2
28
41
15
8
10
3
2
—
—
—
Temp °C
19
18
19
18
18
17
17
19
20
19
18
18
19
19
19
20
21
22
21
Feels °C
17
17
17
18
18
17
17
18
19
18
16
16
18
18
19
19
22
22
20
  • 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 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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