Big Ben Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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.

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