Big Ben Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. Rusty here.

First up, we’re looking at a patchy run for Big Ben. This is a beach and jetty setup, exposed to the swell, but it’s inconsistent—it doesn’t break all that often, so when it does, you gotta pay attention. The water’s sitting at 74°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, about 2° off the average. Not a huge shock, but worth a wetsuit if you’re sensitive.

The opening window is Thursday afternoon, July 9th, with 7ft of S swell at 14 seconds, but the wind is onshore from the SE at 6 mph and the conditions are marginal. The combined energy is moderate (1984). Not great, not terrible, but the wind and tide are questionable. Friday morning, July 10th, sees a slight drop to 6ft from the S, still 14 seconds, but the wind is a light cross-onshore, making for small wind ripples. The energy is moderate (2361). Friday afternoon picks up to 8ft, S swell at 16 seconds, but the wind goes to 12 mph cross-onshore, choppy and messy. The energy is moderate (2796). Saturday, July 11th, is similar—8ft from the SSW, 16 seconds, but cross-onshore wind at 12 mph, making for poor conditions. Energy is moderate (3435–3623). Sunday, July 12th, stays in the 7–8ft range, cross-shore wind, still not clean. The swell is too big for beginners, over 8ft on Saturday, and the period over 15 seconds means it’s a long-period groundswell—waves will have more power and shape, but at a beach break like this, it might break too straight. Better suited for a point or reef, but here it’s just a messy, choppy grind.

Now, the standout window. Monday morning, July 13th, is the best we’ve got. The swell drops to 5ft from the SW, 13 seconds, and the wind turns offshore from the NNW at just 3 mph. That’s clean surf, with combined energy at 789—moderate, but with those conditions, it’s the pick of the bunch. The water temp anomaly is still a bit colder than normal, but the offshore wind will make it worth it. This is the only real clean session in the first week. After that, Monday afternoon goes to 4ft with cross-onshore wind, and it’s all downhill from there.

From Tuesday, July 14th, through to Wednesday, July 22nd, the surf is small to flat, with poor conditions and wind mostly onshore or cross-onshore. There’s a gap of about 8 days without a decent recommendation. Energy values drop to 100–300 range, weak. Tuesday, July 21st, has a glassy morning with 2ft from the SSW—glassy, but the swell is tiny. Not worth a paddle out unless you’re desperate.

Thursday, July 23rd, shows a small bump to 3ft from the ESE, 14 seconds, but cross-onshore wind. Marginal. Friday, July 24th, has 4ft from the E, 11 seconds, but again cross-onshore wind at 12 mph. Not the one.

So, overall, Monday morning, July 13th, is your best bet. The offshore wind and 5ft swell will give you clean, fun waves. The long period means longer waits between sets, but the shape should be good. Crowds are possible here, so don’t expect solitude. If you can’t make that, the rest of the window is a write-off—small, choppy, and mostly onshore. For the bigger days earlier in the week, with 8ft swell and strong cross-onshore wind, this spot looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. But for a proper surf, Monday morning is the one.

Rusty.

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