Big Ben Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

First off, I’ve gotta be straight with you – the early part of the week is going to be a bit of a write-off for a paddle. We’ve got a big, powerful, long-period groundswell (16 seconds) marching in from the SE, but the size is just too much for a beginner-friendly spot like Big Ben. Monday morning we’re looking at 7ft of swell, but the real issue is that it’s just going to be too big and raw for anyone who isn’t proper experienced. The combined energy is already strong (2649), and it just builds from there.

Tuesday morning, the swell jumps to 12ft with a SE direction, and the energy is pumping (5766). The wind is offshore, which normally would have me dancing, but the size is pushing over 8ft – that’s expert-only territory. The same goes for Wednesday morning, with a solid 15ft SE swell. The energy is massive (10311), and while the wind is clean, the waves are just too heavy for a standard beach/jetty setup. If you’re a kite surfer, this might be your window, but for a paddle surfer, I’d sit this one out.

After that, the swell drops a bit but the wind turns onshore. Thursday through Saturday sees a lot of cross-onshore wind and lumpy, choppy conditions. The swell is still decent in size, around 7ft to 10ft, but the quality is poor. It’s not worth getting wet for.

Now, here’s the standout. If you can wait, Monday the 10th of August is where it’s at. We’ve got a 8ft swell from the E, with a period of 13 seconds, and the wind is a clean cross-offshore from the N. The combined energy is strong (5655), and the break will be clean. This is the best on offer in the whole 16-day window. The only catch is that Big Ben can be inconsistent, and crowds are sometimes an issue, so get there early if you can.

The following week, from the 11th onward, the size stays big again, with 12ft ENE swells, but the wind remains clean on the mornings. By Friday the 14th of August, we see a drop in size to 5ft from the ENE, with a light west-northwest cross-offshore wind. The energy is moderate (836), and the conditions look very good. This is a solid second option for the patient surfer.

After that, the swell fades out pretty quickly. By the weekend of the 16th, we’re looking at small, weak waves (3ft to 4ft) with energy dropping below 600. The wind is still clean, but there’s just not enough juice to make it worthwhile.

So, to sum it up: the first week is mostly too big or too messy. The clear standout is Monday the 10th of August with a clean 8ft E swell. For a second pick, Friday the 14th of August offers a smaller but cleaner session. After that, it’s a long gap of small surf until the end of the forecast.

Stay safe out there, and don’t get caught inside on those big ones.

Rusty.

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