
Surf Forecasts:
Big Ben surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 14s period, E swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 15 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 14s period, E swell with 489 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 14s 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 (Sep 11) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 6s 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 1.1m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (JST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Fri 11th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Big Ben over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break this down. It’s Rusty here, and I’m looking over the only spot on the table: Big Ben. To be straight with you, it’s a bit of a mixed bag over the next couple of weeks, but there are some moments worth paddling out for.
Big Ben is a beach and jetty setup, and it faces the southeast for the best swell direction. Right off the bat, Friday morning is a write-off – you’ve got a weak 2 ft easterly swell, cross wind, and marginal energy (237). It’s pretty average. But by Friday afternoon the wind swings to a light cross-offshore breeze and the same 2 ft from the east starts to look much cleaner, with a score feeling more promising. The water’s sitting at a warm 82°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s nice to feel.
Saturday and Sunday morning both look pretty good: small waves around 2 ft to 3 ft from the east, 13-14 second period, with light cross-offshore breeze cleaning it up. The wave energy is moderate (263-366) and conditions are clean. It won’t be big, but for beginners or a longboard, it’s a great time to get wet. Keep in mind, Big Ben can be inconsistent, so you’ve gotta pick your windows.
Come Monday the winds shift southerly and turn cross-on, and through to Tuesday morning, the onshores really junk things up with chop. But Tuesday afternoon is a standout: the swell bumps to 4 ft from the east, period 14 seconds, and the wind goes glassy. Energy jumps to 691 – that’s solid moderate energy – and it says “expect very good surf conditions.” That Tuesday afternoon window is a gem, no crowds issues flagged for a beginner break, but it can draw a few people sometimes.
Wednesday continues the glassy run – 3 ft easterly swell Wednesday morning, then easing a touch Wednesday afternoon with no wind at all. Clean, smooth lines. Good for small waves fun.
Thursday through Friday morning next week, the wind stays favourable (cross-off from NNE) with 2 ft to 3 ft easterly swell and light breeze. It’s clean, but the energy drops off Thursday afternoon to 176 – marginal.
Friday afternoon on the 18th sees a jump in size: 6 ft from the SE, 16 seconds period, but the wind is cross-shore from the ENE at 12 mph and the energy is 1939 – strong. The condition note is marginal, so it won’t be pretty.
Now, Saturday the 19th – big swell arrives. We’re looking at 12 ft from the SE, 15 seconds period, and massive energy (6026). But the file says it’s too big for this break. That’s expert-only territory, and even then it’s gonna be a washing machine. Not for the faint-hearted. Experienced surfers only.
Sunday the 20th is a proper highlight for experienced folk: 8 ft from the south, 13 seconds, glassy morning conditions, and excellent surf conditions flagged. Energy is 2757 – strong. That morning session is the standout of the run: clean, punchy, and meaty. Afternoon still has 8 ft but cross-on wind makes it less perfect.
Monday the 21st is too big again – 12 ft to 18 ft from the south, massive energy 9312-12303 – that’s extreme. Hold off unless you’re a charger.
Tuesday the 22nd morning drops to 7 ft from the SSE (10 sec period), cross-off wind, clean, and marked excellent for experienced surfers. Energy 1314 – still strong but more manageable.
From Wednesday the 23rd onward, things go downhill: short period windswell (6-7 seconds) with onshore or cross winds, poor conditions, chop. There’s a brief window on the 26th with 8 ft SSE swell and light cross wind, but it’s marginal and borderline too big for comfort at Big Ben.
Best bet: Tuesday afternoon the 16th for fun small clean waves in glassy conditions. For experienced surfers, Sunday morning the 20th is the real standout – glassy, solid south swell, and excellent. Get on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 25°C on Sun morning, min 20°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 46mm), heaviest during Tue morning. Warm (max 27°C on Mon morning, min 21°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 13 | ESE 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | ENE 13 | ENE 13 | ENE 12 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | ENE 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
144 | 140 | 183 | 180 | 289 | 295 | 272 | 276 | 239 | 233 | 244 | 388 | 462 | 489 | 372 | 286 | 208 | 184 | 134 | 119 | 158 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 4:53PM1.53m | 4:42AM1.62m | 5:12PM1.55m | 5:20AM1.63m | 5:30PM1.56m | 5:58AM1.59m | 5:50PM1.57m | 6:37AM1.52m | 6:10PM1.56m | 7:20AM1.42m | 6:29PM1.55m | 8:11AM1.30m | 6:50PM1.51m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:31AM0.32m | 10:42PM0.59m | 11:01AM0.38m | 11:11PM0.48m | 11:29AM0.47m | 11:41PM0.39m | 11:55AM0.58m | 00:13AM0.33m | 12:20PM0.71m | 00:48AM0.32m | 12:42PM0.84m | 1:26AM0.34m | 1:01PM0.96m | 2:13AM0.40m | |||||||
5:18 | — | — | 5:18 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | |
— | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | |
mm | 1 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 12 | 12 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 24 |
Feels °C | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | S 8 | E 14 | E 14 | E 13 | ESE 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | SE 10 | SE 9 | E 14 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | E 12 | E 11 | ENE 11 |
36 | 55 | 183 | 180 | 289 | 295 | 272 | 276 | 239 | 233 | 150 | 230 | 462 | 192 | 134 | 105 | 86 | 86 | 134 | 119 | 158 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | E 14 | S 8 | S 7 | SSW 7 | NE 6 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 8 | E 12 | E 14 | NE 8 | E 14 | ENE 13 | ENE 13 | ENE 12 | E 12 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 7 |
57 | 140 | 41 | 28 | 21 | 13 | 39 | 50 | 62 | 100 | 244 | 388 | 15 | 489 | 372 | 286 | 208 | 184 | 52 | 46 | 54 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 14 | E 5 | SE 10 | ESE 9 | SW 7 | SW 7 | NE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 15 | ENE 7 | NE 10 | ENE 10 | S 9 | S 6 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 9 | ENE 5 | SSE 8 |
144 | 14 | 24 | 32 | 13 | 12 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 78 | 9 | 4 | 10 | 2 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 7 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNE 7 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 6 | E 3 | NE 6 | — | — | — | — | S 7 | SSE 8 | — | NNE 4 | NE 3 | NE 4 | NE 4 | ENE 4 | — | — |
— | 36 | 22 | 23 | 17 | 1 | 36 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 162 | — | 15 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 15 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 30 | 30 | 39 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 22 | 6 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Chiba | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Japan | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










