Back Door Haifa (Haifa Bay)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Chop
- Spot Type
- Crowded
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Back Door Haifa is a high-performance reef surfing break in Haifa Bay, best characterized by fast, hollow right-hand waves over a shallow, rocky bottom. The spot is strongly tied to winter wave energy and is described as powerful and competitive, making it most appropriate for experienced surfers. Wind conditions are not always consistent: winter is dominated by frontal systems with a typical range of about 15–25 knots. Offshore cleanliness depends on wind direction—winds from the east/northeast/southeast are described as giving cleaner conditions, while west winds can blow the wave out. Reported best surfing windows commonly include January, February, and also July. Safety is a major consideration at this launch. Hazards include sharp rocks/shallow reef and pollution, with specific warnings that Haifa Bay can suffer from pollution after heavy rains. Additionally, the rocky entry/exit can be treacherous when swell is large, and the spot can feature strong rip currents during heavy winter swells. Expect a highly competitive environment with heavy localism and a crowded lineup during peak swell periods. Seasonal lifeguards are noted, and nearby emergency medical support is available at Rambam Health Care Campus, but no dedicated rescue for the spot is confirmed.
- Fast, hollow right-hand reef waves
- Winter-focused performance window
- All-tides working reef break
- Powerful, hollow reef waves with strong performance potential
- Works on all tides
- Multiple amenities and easy access within Haifa/Bat Galim area
- Advanced, shallow reef break with rocky entry/exit
- Pollution risk after heavy rainfall
- Competitive, locally intense lineup
- Lower wind reliability
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, SW, NW
- Offshore directions
- E, N, NE, SSE, SE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Winter described as driven by frontal systems; typical winter-storm conditions.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- January, February
- Shadow Zones
- The northern part of the bay can be sheltered from certain southern winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop
- Beach
- Sand — Some descriptions emphasize sandy/rocky mix, but a rocky bottom/reef is central to the break.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Reported as small in some conditions (around 1–2 ft), while the spot description also cites a working reef swell range up to about 1–3 m depending on swell.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Chop is reported for the water.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky entry point requiring careful navigation through the reef.
Through the year
Highest during winter swells and summer weekends.
Winter months see frequent Mediterranean storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A shallow reef break in Haifa Bay known for fast, hollow right-hand waves. Entry and exit are rocky and can become especially hazardous when the swell is large.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- W, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Semi-sheltered overall; local wind exposure varies across the bay.
- Wind Effect
- East, Northeast, or Southeast winds provide clean offshore conditions; West winds blow the spot out.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well but becomes very heavy and expert-only during major storms.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Hollow
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Medium
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical ride includes a fast, barreling section followed by a more open wall depending on swell angle.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Back Door Haifa (Haifa Bay) in the full forecast view.
Back Door Haifa (Haifa Bay) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–11 ktsGusts 21 kts
- Direction
- NW313°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2411 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–1.3 m5s period
- Temperature
- 18–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, Back Door Haifa (Haifa Bay) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 21 kts. The prevailing direction is NW. Waves run 0.3–1.3 m with a period of about 5s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Rocks
- Pollution
- Sharp shallow reef
- Strong rip currents
- Crowded lineup
- Localism
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No dedicated rescue specifically confirmed for this spot.
- Emergency Info
- Rambam Health Care Campus is the nearest major hospital in Haifa.
- Localism / Vibe
- Heavy
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; the lineup is highly competitive.
- Avoid if water quality is poor after heavy rain (pollution risk).
- Use extra caution with rocky entry/exit and shallow reef conditions.
- Check water quality reports after heavy winter rains, since urban runoff can affect the bay.
- Be very cautious with rocky entry and exit routes when swell is large.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Haifa
- Nearest Town
- Haifa
- Parking
- Limited street parking in the Bat Galim residential area.
- Public Transport
- Frequent local service via buses; Haifa Hof HaCarmel station and Israel Railways serve the coastal area.
- Local Language
- Hebrew
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Various hotels and guest houses are available in Haifa and the Bat Galim neighborhood.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous cafes and restaurants along the Bat Galim promenade.
- Equipment Rental:
- Local surf shops in the Bat Galim area provide rentals and gear.
- Gear Repair
- Minor repairs available at surf shops in Haifa.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Haifa offers nearby Mount Carmel nature and city attractions, making it easy to pair sessions with sightseeing.
Terraced gardens cascading down Mount Carmel, offering panoramic views of the city and bay.
Extensive network of hiking and mountain biking trails through Mediterranean forest.
A 19th-century Discalced Carmelite monastery located on the slopes of Mount Carmel.
Historic gardens on Mount Carmel near Haifa.
Hiking and mountain biking trails through Mediterranean forest.
A vibrant district filled with restaurants, cafes, and bars in restored historical buildings.
Interactive science and technology museum located in the historic Technion building.
Beach parks and coastal promenades along Bat Galim and northern Haifa.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Back Door Haifa (Haifa Bay)?
The best overall months at Back Door Haifa (Haifa Bay) are January, February, July. The best wind months are January, February.
Which wind directions work at Back Door Haifa (Haifa Bay)?
Back Door Haifa (Haifa Bay) works with W, SW, NW winds. Offshore directions are E, N, NE, SSE, SE.
What skill level is Back Door Haifa (Haifa Bay) suitable for?
Back Door Haifa (Haifa Bay) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.