Big Ben Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on offer around here.

Alright, so for the next couple of weeks, it’s a bit of a frustrating picture for Big Ben. The setup is a pretty exposed beach and jetty, which needs the wind and swell to line up perfectly, and for the most part, they just don’t. There are a lot of days where the conditions will be poor, with cross-onshore winds and messy waves. The water temp is sitting at 77°F, which is about average for this time of year, so that’s a small win.

The first real glimmer of hope comes on Thursday morning, the 16th of July. We’ve got a clean, cross-offshore breeze with a 3-foot swell pushing in from the east. The period is a short 9 seconds, so it’ll be a bit crumbly, but the wave energy is moderate (205). It’s not going to be a world-beater, but it’s the first time the stars align for a paddle.

After that, we get a patch of real junk. Friday through to Wednesday the 23rd is pretty much a write-off. The winds are messy, the swell is small and weak, and the conditions are just ordinary. It’s a proper dry spell for any kind of decent surf.

Then, on Thursday morning the 24th, there’s a slight tease. The wind goes cross-off again, and it’s clean, with a 2-foot east swell. The energy is moderate (212), but it’s marginal overall. Nothing to get too excited about, but you could probably find a clean little ankle-snapper if you were desperate.

But hold on, because the standout of the entire outlook is Wednesday morning, the 29th of July. This is the one to circle on the calendar. The forecast is showing glassy conditions with absolutely no wind. The swell jumps to 4 feet from the southeast, and the period stretches out to a very long 13 seconds. The combined energy is strong at 616. This is proper groundswell energy. For a beach and jetty like Big Ben, a long period swell from the southeast can be a bit tricky, as it might break a bit too straight, but with glassy conditions and that much energy, it’s going to be the best the place has seen in a while. The crowd factor is ‘sometimes’, so expect it to be busy if the forecast holds. If you’re an experienced surfer, this is your window. That afternoon, the wind shifts back onshore, so make the most of that morning.

The following week looks mostly average again, with strong cross-shore winds and poor conditions, so keep your focus on that Wednesday the 29th for the real action.

Rusty

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