Backdoor
Backdoor is the right-hand barrel at the Pipeline reef—sharing the same takeoff zone but breaking in the opposite direction. When NW to NNW swells arrive with shorter periods, they break up the swell lines and create peaky A-frames, allowing the right to peel with ferocious power over extremely shallow reef.
Backdoor surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NNW (330°)
- Direction range
- 315° - 350°
- Size range
- 1.8m - 3.6m
- Ideal size
- 2.6m - 3.2m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 16s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- ESE (120°)
- Offshore range
- 90° - 160°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
- Optimal range
- 0.3m - 1.2m
- Danger below
- 0.1m
Water temp
25°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Bottom
Reef
Max wave face
5m+
Board
Shortboard
Consistency
6/10
Difficulty
10/10
Crowd level
10/10
Access: Same as Pipeline. Beach access at Ehukai Beach Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Backdoor?
Backdoor is a reef break in North Shore, Oahu, USA, that mostly breaks right over a reef bottom. It's also a renowned bodyboarding wave. On its biggest days it can hold faces of around 5m. A shortboard is the usual call.
What swell works best at Backdoor?
Backdoor picks up swell from the NW round to the N, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the NNW. That's a tight window, so it needs the swell direction to line up. It starts working at around 1.8m and handles up to about 3.6m, with the sweet spot around 2.6 to 3.2m. Period matters too: aim for 16s or longer, as anything under 12s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Backdoor?
An ESE wind is dead offshore at Backdoor, and anything from the E round to the SSE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Backdoor?
Backdoor is at its best around the low to mid tide, roughly 0.3m to 1.2m on the local chart. Below 0.1m it gets dangerously shallow.
When is the best time of year to surf Backdoor?
The most reliable run of swell at Backdoor comes Nov to Feb. There's a second window in Mar and Oct too. Nov-Feb peak. NW-NNW swells create peaky A-frames that produce the right.
How cold is the water at Backdoor?
The water at Backdoor averages around 25°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Backdoor good for beginners?
No. At 10/10 for difficulty, it's strictly for experts. It gets busy (crowd 10/10), so mind the pecking order. Super hollow, deep tube over very shallow reef. Shorter period NW-NNW swells break up lines creating peaky A-frames.
How do I get to Backdoor?
The nearest airport on our list is HNL, then it's roughly a 55-minute drive. Same as Pipeline. Beach access at Ehukai Beach Park.
What other surf spots are near Backdoor?
The closest breaks we track are Pipeline (0.0 km), Rockpile (0.1 km) and Off The Wall (0.2 km), handy when Backdoor isn't working. We track 23 spots around North Shore, Oahu in total.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Secondary: Mar, Oct
Nov-Feb peak. NW-NNW swells create peaky A-frames that produce the right.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Pipeline
🏆 The proving ground • Among the heaviest barrels on Earth • Experts only
Rockpile
🪨 Gap in the Road • 150-yard lefts • Uncrowded alternative
Off The Wall
💪 Pipeline's neighbor • Powerful rights • Regular footer's dream
Log Cabins
🪵 Heavier than Pipe • N swell magnet • Life-changing barrels
Backdoor Outer Reef
🌊 Pipe's outer shelf • 2nd & 3rd reef • Reforms into Pipeline
Gas Chambers
💀 Detonating barrels • Extremely shallow • Helmet recommended
Plan a trip around Backdoor
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