Surf Forecasts:
Big Ben surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period, E swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 7s period, SE swell with 625 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 10s. 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 2.5m 7s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (JST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Big Ben over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, looking at the next couple of weeks for Big Ben. It’s a slow one, with the first solid session not til Tuesday, August 25th. That’s more than a week of waiting, so don’t hold your breath early on.
Big Ben is a beach/jetty setup, good for beginners when it’s small but it gets real gnarly when the swell pumps. Water temp is about what you’d expect for this time of year.
Through the 24th, it’s mostly small and messy. We’re looking at waves around 2 to 4 feet from the east, with short, weak periods. The combined wave energy is light (163 to 411). Winds are light cross-onshore, so it’s choppy. Not worth the walk.
On Sunday, August 23rd, the swell jumps big. We’ve got 10-foot waves from the ESE with a short 8-second period. The combined energy is massive (2263). The wind is a moderate cross-shore, so it’ll be bumpy and the report says it’s too big for this break. Experts only, and even then it’s a handful.
The best of the bunch is Tuesday, August 25th. That morning is the one to circle. You’ve got 8-foot swell from the SSE, but the wind is totally glassy—dead flat. The combined wave energy is 3709 (very strong), and with a 15-second period, this is groundswell. The report says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” That’s the call. It’s a bit too big for beginners, but for anyone who knows what they’re doing, it’ll be clean, powerful, and the standout session of the entire forecast.
After that, the swell gets even bigger from the 26th through the 31st, with waves hitting 8 to 16 feet. The winds are onshore or strong offshore, and the energy is insane (up to 14975). It’s just too big for Big Ben. By the end of the period, with those huge swells and offshore winds, it looks more like a kite-surfing zone than a paddle-surfing one.
Bottom line: forget the first week. The only true standout is the morning of Tuesday, August 25th—8-foot groundswell, glassy, and pumping.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 28°C on Tue morning, min 22°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Wed morning, min 24°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
379 | 314 | 306 | 225 | 185 | 177 | 150 | 74 | 76 | 74 | 64 | 91 | 82 | 169 | 165 | 153 | 118 | 214 | 184 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:04AM1.56m | 6:42PM1.52m | 6:45AM1.49m | 7:03PM1.51m | 7:29AM1.39m | 7:24PM1.50m | 8:20AM1.27m | 7:46PM1.47m | 9:31AM1.15m | 8:09PM1.44m | 8:37PM1.39m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 00:10AM0.61m | 12:25PM0.38m | 00:43AM0.54m | 12:52PM0.51m | 1:20AM0.50m | 1:17PM0.66m | 2:01AM0.49m | 1:39PM0.82m | 2:52AM0.50m | 1:53PM0.97m | 4:00AM0.52m | ||||||||
— | 4:58 | — | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:03 | — | — | |
6:29 | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | |
mm | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 28 | 27 | 25 |
Feels °C | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 |
379 | 314 | 45 | 225 | 185 | 177 | 150 | 74 | 76 | 74 | 64 | 91 | 82 | 169 | 165 | 153 | 118 | 214 | 184 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SE 11 | SSW 8 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | SE 10 | SE 8 | E 8 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | SE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 | S 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
48 | 45 | 43 | 41 | 29 | 27 | 38 | 53 | 51 | 57 | 45 | 25 | 24 | 39 | 55 | 55 | 33 | 90 | 100 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 12 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSW 8 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSW 9 | S 9 | SSW 8 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 11 |
55 | 35 | 17 | 42 | 42 | 42 | 13 | 36 | 37 | 36 | 37 | 36 | 37 | 7 | 7 | 23 | 56 | 55 | 46 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 2 | ENE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 306 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 72 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 6 | 35 | 81 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 35 | 35 | 30 | 30 | 22 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 0 | 29 | 30 | 30 |
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.











