Big Ben Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m looking at the next 16 days for our stretch of coast. The only spot in the mix is Big Ben, and honestly, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. We’ve got some serious swell coming through, but the wind is going to be our biggest enemy for most of the run. The water is sitting at a warm 83°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year.

The first real sniff of anything worthwhile doesn’t show up until Tuesday, September 8th. We’ve got a solid 8ft swell rolling in from the SSE, with a period of 10 seconds, giving us a lot of energy in the water (1430). But the wind is a moderate cross-shore from the SW, so it’s going to be a bit lumpy. The score is a low one, but it’s the first time the conditions are even considered “marginal” instead of just plain poor. The size is pushing it for beginners, but for the experienced crew, there might be a few to be had if you can handle the chop.

The standout, and I mean the only real standout, is Wednesday, September 9th. The swell jumps up to 10ft from the south, with a period of 9 seconds, and the energy is pumping (1390 in the morning, 1493 in the afternoon). The wind is a fresh cross-shore, which is still not perfect, but the forecast says the wind and tide are favorable. The catch is that the swell is predicted to be too big for this break. At 10ft, this is purely for experts. The combined energy is strong, but the conditions are going to be rough and lumpy. It’s the best on offer, but it’s a big, raw, expert-only beast.

After that, it’s a long dry spell. From Thursday, September 10th, all the way through to Friday, September 18th, we’re looking at a frustrating run. The swell drops back down to 3ft to 5ft, and the wind is all over the place – cross, cross-on, and cross-off. There are a few mornings with clean conditions (like the 11th and 12th), but the swell is tiny, with periods over 13 seconds, and the energy is low (under 400). It’s clean, but it’s barely a ripple. The 14th and 15th offer some marginal 5ft to 4ft swell with clean-ish conditions, but the energy is still weak.

The final mention is on Friday, September 18th. The morning has a clean 4ft swell from the east, with a period of 8 seconds and a gentle cross-off wind. The energy is low (228), but the forecast says “expect good surf conditions.” It’s the only other time the forecast is positive, but it’s a long way out and the swell is small.

So, to sum it up: if you’re an expert, mark Wednesday, September 9th in your calendar. It’s going to be big, heavy, and messy, but it’s the only real pulse of energy we’ve got. For everyone else, it’s a lot of waiting. The forecast can change, but right now, it’s a tough stretch.

Rusty.

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