
Surf Forecasts:
Big Ben surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 22 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 10s period, E swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 21 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s period, E swell with 410 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 22 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 10s 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 Wednesday (Jul 22) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 5s is also forecast. 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 1.3m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 2s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (JST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 11s |
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 at Big Ben over the next couple of weeks.
First up, a bit of a slow start. The early part of the week is pretty grim. Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st are a write-off, with poor surf conditions and a messy cross-shore wind. The combined swell energy is weak to moderate (156 to 350), and the waves are just a knee-high dribble. You’d be better off staying home.
Wednesday morning the 22nd is where it gets interesting. The wind goes glassy, and with a 3ft easterly swell at 10 seconds, it’s the first real chance for a wave. The combined energy is moderate (228), and the conditions are clean. This is a good option for a beginner, just keep in mind Big Ben is inconsistent, so patience is key. The water temperature is about average for this time of year.
Thursday and Friday are nothing special – small, weak, and mostly onshore. Saturday morning the 25th has a weird 1ft, 16-second SE groundswell, but the energy is weak (192) and the wind is cross-onshore. Not worth your time.
Now, the real standout is the morning of Tuesday the 28th of July. The swell jumps to 4ft from the SSW with a 13-second period, and the combined energy is strong (972). The wind is glassy, making for perfect, clean conditions. This is a quality window, and the best on offer in the whole outlook. The crowd factor is “sometimes,” so you might have company, but the surf will be worth it.
The following days, from the 29th of July into early August, see a big pulse of SW swell, but the wind turns cross-on or cross-shore, and the quality drops. The waves get bigger, 5ft to 7ft, and the energy gets very strong (1310 to 2489), but the chop makes it messy. For a beginner, anything over 5ft is getting too big, and by the time you hit 7ft and above, it’s only for experienced surfers.
On Tuesday the 4th of August, the swell is a massive 10ft from the ESE with a 17-second period, and the combined energy is huge (6025). But the file says it’s too big for this break. That’s a warning to stay out of the water unless you’re a top expert.
Overall, if you’re looking for the best session, get out on the morning of the 28th of July. The rest of the window is a mix of marginal, messy, or just too big.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Wed afternoon. Warm (max 31°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 29°C on Thu morning, min 24°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | E 8 | E 11 | E 11 | ENE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SE 11 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
129 | 120 | 116 | 410 | 326 | 276 | 204 | 208 | 167 | 163 | 117 | 110 | 83 | 79 | 57 | 91 | 90 | 87 | 78 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | glassy | on | cross-off | cross-on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 7:39AM1.31m | 8:26PM1.41m | 8:37AM1.20m | 8:54PM1.39m | 9:58AM1.10m | 9:25PM1.38m | 12:17PM1.05m | 10:06PM1.36m | 3:23PM1.15m | 11:05PM1.35m | 4:08PM1.27m | 00:24AM1.35m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:57AM0.70m | 1:55PM0.52m | 2:46AM0.65m | 2:25PM0.68m | 3:46AM0.60m | 2:55PM0.85m | 5:01AM0.55m | 3:28PM1.01m | 6:26AM0.47m | 4:56PM1.15m | 7:40AM0.36m | 7:43PM1.20m | |||||||
— | 4:39 | — | — | 4:39 | — | — | 4:39 | — | — | 4:41 | — | — | 4:41 | — | — | 4:41 | — | — | |
6:52 | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:51 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:49 | — | — | 6:47 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 14 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 30 | 29 | 26 | 31 | 30 | 26 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 |
Feels °C | 30 | 33 | 31 | 30 | 35 | 33 | 30 | 34 | 35 | 33 | 35 | 34 | 33 | 35 | 34 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 11 | E 11 | ENE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | SE 10 |
129 | 120 | 116 | 410 | 326 | 276 | 204 | 208 | 167 | 163 | 117 | 110 | 83 | 79 | 57 | 56 | 51 | 51 | 53 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 7 | S 8 | ENE 14 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSW 5 | SSE 7 | SE 11 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | E 8 |
36 | 4 | 64 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 6 | 14 | 5 | 29 | 10 | 11 | 24 | 23 | 57 | 53 | 48 | 49 | 34 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | SE 11 | SW 8 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | SSE 8 | ESE 11 | SE 20 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSW 5 | SW 5 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 15 |
5 | 8 | 18 | 5 | 2 | 19 | 12 | 6 | 11 | 15 | 25 | 25 | 9 | 6 | 43 | 91 | 90 | 87 | 78 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 7 | S 7 | SSW 3 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 5 | — | SSW 5 | SW 5 | — | SW 5 | — | NNE 2 | ENE 3 | NE 4 | NE 4 | — | SSW 4 |
42 | 24 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 15 | 17 | — | 14 | 11 | — | 27 | — | 1 | 5 | 3 | 3 | — | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 30 | 30 | 35 | 39 | 30 | 35 | 30 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 22 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 183 | 0 | 35 | 30 | 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.










