Surf Forecasts:
Big Ben surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 6s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period, E swell with 254 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 6s period with ESE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Big Ben this week:
The surf forecast for Big Ben over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Big Ben in the next 16 days are 1.1m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 2s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (JST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Big Ben over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break it down.
For Big Ben, the water’s about normal for the season – 81°F. From Sunday the 16th all the way through Friday the 21st, we’re looking at small, weak, short-period easterly windswell (energy around 369), with cross-onshore winds. That’s poor, choppy, and not worth a second look. That’s a solid 8 days of nothing.
Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd are still marginal – swell around 3ft from the east, cross-shore winds, but just not enough to get excited about.
Then Monday the 24th afternoon: the swell drops to 2ft but the period opens up to 12 seconds from the southeast, with a clean cross-offshore breeze. Energy is 369, and the forecast is “expect good surf conditions.” That’s a sneak peak at some clean, fun waves.
Tuesday the 25th: we get 5ft from the SSE with a 14-second period – that’s real groundswell energy (1590). But the wind is cross-shore and moderate, so it’s a bit bumpy. Still, the size is there.
The standout is Wednesday the 26th morning. Swell at 7ft from the SSE, 15-second period, light cross-onshore wind. The energy is 2638. For a beach/jetty break, that long-period swell can make the waves a bit too lined up, but with that size, it’s going to be powerful. This one’s for experienced surfers only – 7ft is solid, and the 15-second period means long waits between sets but heavy, well-shaped waves.
From Thursday the 27th onward, the swell keeps pumping – 8ft, 10ft, even 28ft by the 31st – but the wind turns onshore, and the energy goes through the roof (3594 to 34977). The notes say it’s too big for the break. That’s big-wave territory, not for the average surfer.
So, the pick of the forecast is Wednesday the 26th morning at Big Ben – 7ft SSE groundswell, light wind, and a whole lot of juice. Don’t sleep on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 27°C on Mon morning, min 24°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Thu morning, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | E 7 | E 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
264 | 205 | 185 | 146 | 153 | 96 | 73 | 67 | 64 | 60 | 44 | 44 | 94 | 89 | 57 | 176 | 183 | 196 | 192 | 254 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:42PM1.52m | 6:45AM1.49m | 7:03PM1.51m | 7:29AM1.39m | 7:24PM1.50m | 8:20AM1.27m | 7:46PM1.47m | 9:31AM1.15m | 8:09PM1.44m | 8:37PM1.39m | 9:26PM1.33m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 00:43AM0.54m | 12:52PM0.51m | 1:20AM0.50m | 1:17PM0.66m | 2:01AM0.49m | 1:39PM0.82m | 2:52AM0.50m | 1:53PM0.97m | 4:00AM0.52m | 5:40AM0.51m | ||||||||||
— | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:03 | — | — | 5:03 | — | — | |
6:28 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | |
mm | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 |
Feels °C | 27 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 9 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | E 7 | E 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | SSW 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
45 | 205 | 185 | 146 | 153 | 96 | 57 | 67 | 64 | 60 | 44 | 44 | 94 | 89 | 51 | 176 | 154 | 196 | 192 | 254 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 11 | S 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SE 11 | SE 8 | E 9 | E 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SE 10 | ENE 8 | SE 11 | S 9 | S 8 | E 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 |
43 | 37 | 28 | 27 | 40 | 57 | 73 | 51 | 26 | 26 | 36 | 22 | 57 | 39 | 35 | 54 | 183 | 133 | 86 | 86 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSW 8 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | ENE 9 | SE 11 | SSW 10 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 13 | SE 10 | SE 11 |
17 | 42 | 42 | 42 | 13 | 36 | 36 | 37 | 36 | 35 | 25 | 42 | 31 | 46 | 57 | 41 | 31 | 43 | 28 | 29 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 6 | — | — | SE 6 | S 3 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 |
264 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 39 | 6 | 16 | 13 | 5 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 55 | 29 | 81 | 38 | 30 | 22 | 30 | 35 | 35 | 29 | 30 | 177 | 30 | 24 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 70 | 35 | 30 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Chiba | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Japan | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Big Ben Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Big Ben provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Big Ben can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Big Ben 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 (Big Ben) 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 Big Ben 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.
Big Ben is 3 km (2 miles) from Kawaguchi. If you plan a holiday in Chiba, look for hotels and other accommodation in Kawaguchi. Kawaguchi has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











