
Surf Forecasts:
Big Ben surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 10s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 27 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s period, SSW swell with 103 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 24 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 9s period with E 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 Friday (Jul 24) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 3s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Big Ben in the next 16 days are 1.2m 6s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (JST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Mon 27th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Big Ben over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Big Ben.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – the next week and a bit is flat out ugly. We’re talking a run of poor surf and pretty ordinary conditions for days on end. The first real chance of anything surfable doesn't roll around until Saturday morning the 25th, and even then it’s pretty weak. There’s a real gap here with nothing good to report until then.
So, Saturday morning the 25th. We’ve got a tiny 2 ft swell from the SE, with a period of 10 seconds. The combined energy is weak, coming in at a measly 92. That’s not going to get your heart racing. But what makes it just about worth a mention is the glassy conditions. With the wind gone and the water surface like a mirror, even small waves can be a bit of fun on a longboard. The water’s sitting at 80°, which is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The next morning, Sunday the 26th, is still marginal. That 1 ft from the SE has a longer period of 15 seconds, pushing the combined energy up to 200, but it’s a bit bumpy with a light cross-onshore breeze.
Now, look ahead to Monday the 27th. The early morning shows a bit of promise. Swell is still tiny at 1 ft from the SE, but the energy is there with a reading of 202, and the wind is a light cross-offshore, which means the faces will be clean. The period is a long 14 seconds, so it’s a proper groundswell, but at this size, it’s going to be pretty small and fat for a beach/jetty setup like this. Still, if you’re desperate for a paddle, it’s the best looking window in the first week.
Things get seriously interesting and dangerous after that. From the 2nd of August onward, a massive pulse of swell is forecast. Sunday the 2nd sees the swell jump to 6 ft from the ESE, with a period of 16 seconds and energy reading of 1458. That’s moderate to strong energy. But the wind is a cross-on at 9 mph, making it choppy and messy.
By Monday the 3rd of August, we’re looking at a solid 12 ft swell from the ESE with a very long period of 18 seconds. The combined energy is a massive 8263. That is a serious amount of water moving. The wind is cross-shore, which isn't ideal, but look – this is too big for Big Ben. The forecast calls it out: too big for this break. This is a beginner spot, and 12 ft is purely for experts, and even then, the setup might not handle it cleanly. Tuesday the 4th and Wednesday the 5th are even bigger, with 18 ft and 21 ft swells, and energy readings in the tens of thousands. This is a major, major swell event. But for a beach/jetty, that long period groundswell (16-19 seconds) is going to make it dumpy and close out. If you’re a kite surfer, this setup with all that cross-shore wind and massive swell might be a dream. For a paddle surfer, it’s a no-go zone unless you’re a pro and looking for a death wish. The wind is clean and cross-offshore on the 7th of August, but the swell is a monstrous 33 ft from the E. That’s pure, raw power (energy reading of 62247) and absolutely not for this break.
So, to be honest, the standout here is a cautious nod to the surfable but small early morning of Monday the 27th of July. It’s clean, the energy is there, but it’s a battle for consistency on a tiny wave. For the big stuff after that, it’s a hard pass for paddle surfing at Big Ben. This is a spot for small, clean days, and the forecast is showing everything but that.
Stay safe out there.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 26mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 31°C on Thu morning, min 23°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Tue morning. Warm (max 29°C on Mon morning, min 21°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SE 11 | SE 16 | SE 10 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 11 | SE 14 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
92 | 85 | 61 | 59 | 59 | 91 | 48 | 87 | 78 | 76 | 74 | 72 | 70 | 103 | 69 | 67 | 65 | 48 | 48 | 45 | 33 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:17PM1.05m | 10:06PM1.36m | 3:23PM1.15m | 11:05PM1.35m | 4:08PM1.27m | 00:24AM1.35m | 4:36PM1.36m | 1:40AM1.39m | 5:02PM1.43m | 2:41AM1.44m | 5:26PM1.48m | 3:33AM1.49m | 5:50PM1.50m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:28PM1.01m | 6:26AM0.47m | 4:56PM1.15m | 7:40AM0.36m | 7:43PM1.20m | 8:39AM0.25m | 9:04PM1.17m | 9:26AM0.15m | 9:52PM1.11m | 10:08AM0.09m | 10:29PM1.03m | 10:45AM0.06m | 11:02PM0.94m | ||||||||
4:41 | — | — | 4:41 | — | — | 4:41 | — | — | 4:43 | — | — | 4:43 | — | — | 4:43 | — | — | 4:45 | — | — | |
— | 6:50 | — | — | 6:49 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — | |
mm | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 20 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 31 | 30 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 26 | 25 | 22 |
Feels °C | 34 | 32 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 34 | 33 | 28 | 31 | 32 | 31 | 33 | 30 | 27 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 26 | 24 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | SE 10 | E 8 | ENE 8 | E 6 | E 6 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSW 6 | S 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | SE 10 | SSW 8 |
92 | 85 | 61 | 59 | 59 | 39 | 37 | 49 | 34 | 51 | 28 | 21 | 67 | 65 | 47 | 34 | 43 | 31 | 26 | 45 | 24 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 6 | SSW 6 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | E 8 | SE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 14 | SE 14 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | NE 6 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSW 8 | SE 10 |
33 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 57 | 53 | 48 | 35 | 54 | 73 | 56 | 71 | 70 | 65 | 68 | 67 | 32 | 48 | 48 | 26 | 33 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSW 5 | SE 18 | SE 16 | SE 16 | ESE 4 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 14 | ESE 6 | E 9 | SE 13 | SSW 9 | ESE 10 | SE 13 | E 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 |
25 | 25 | 9 | 49 | 43 | 91 | 7 | 87 | 78 | 76 | 74 | 72 | 6 | 14 | 44 | 15 | 65 | 28 | 15 | 10 | 10 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ENE 2 | ENE 2 | ENE 4 | E 4 | ESE 4 | — | SE 4 | SE 4 | — | — | SW 4 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | NNE 3 | NNE 6 | NE 6 | NE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 |
— | 1 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 14 | — | 4 | 5 | — | — | 6 | 59 | 103 | 69 | 3 | 87 | 38 | 35 | 34 | 28 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 6 | 35 | 6 | 22 | 30 | 30 | 0 | 30 | 6 | 22 | 30 | 30 | 0 | 29 | 35 | 35 | 55 | 0 | 35 | 530 | 0 |
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.










