Question 1

What kind of wave is Backdoor Outer Reef?

Accepted Answer

Backdoor Outer Reef is a big-wave spot in North Shore, Oahu, USA, that mostly breaks right over a reef bottom. On its biggest days it can hold faces of around 10m. It's fickle (consistency 2/10), so it's worth jumping on when it does turn on. A step-up or gun is the usual call.

Question 2

What swell works best at Backdoor Outer Reef?

Accepted Answer

Backdoor Outer Reef picks up swell from the WNW round to the NW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the NW. That's a tight window, so it needs the swell direction to line up. It starts working at around 4.6m and keeps going up to about 7.6m, with the sweet spot around 5.5 to 6.4m. Period matters too: aim for 18s or longer, as anything under 14s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.

Question 3

What wind is offshore at Backdoor Outer Reef?

Accepted Answer

An ESE wind is dead offshore at Backdoor Outer Reef, and anything from the E round to the SSE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to midday. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.

Question 4

What tide is best at Backdoor Outer Reef?

Accepted Answer

Backdoor Outer Reef isn't especially fussy about tide and generally works through the cycle, so swell and wind matter more here. Big tides can still change how it breaks, so it's worth checking before you paddle out.

Question 5

When is the best time of year to surf Backdoor Outer Reef?

Accepted Answer

The most reliable run of swell at Backdoor Outer Reef comes Dec to Feb. There's a second window in Nov too. Dec-Feb. Pipeline's 2nd and 3rd reef. Breaks 80yds outside main zone at 4x+ overhead.

Question 6

How cold is the water at Backdoor Outer Reef?

Accepted Answer

The water at Backdoor Outer Reef 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.

Question 7

Is Backdoor Outer Reef good for beginners?

Accepted Answer

No. As a big-wave spot, it's strictly for experienced surfers. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 3/10). Pipeline's 2nd and 3rd reef. Foamy lumps that reform into Pipe. Historic big wave arena.

Question 8

How do I get to Backdoor Outer Reef?

Accepted Answer

The nearest airport on our list is HNL, then it's roughly a 55-minute drive. Paddle from Ehukai Beach Park. Long paddle out.

Question 9

What other surf spots are near Backdoor Outer Reef?

Accepted Answer

The closest breaks we track are Pipeline (0.3 km), Backdoor (0.3 km) and Rockpile (0.3 km), handy when Backdoor Outer Reef isn't working. We track 23 spots around North Shore, Oahu in total.

Backdoor Outer Reef