Big Ben Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.12° N 140.12° E

Big Ben Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 2 pm 21 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Big Ben sea temperature is
25.7° C
0.1° 

Big Ben surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Big Ben surf forecast from 21 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 22 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 10s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 21 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 10s period, E swell with 208 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 0.8m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Big Ben in the next 16 days are 1.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (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 9PM (Tue 21st Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 10s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Big Ben over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s on the cards for the local stretch.

Well, to be brutally honest, the next couple of weeks are looking pretty grim for any decent paddle surfing. We’ve got a long stretch of poor surf conditions ahead. The first recommendation for a surf comes up on Tuesday, July 21st, but it’s not a pretty picture. The only break on the radar is Big Ben, a beach/jetty setup that’s exposed to swell. The water temp is sitting at 78°F, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so that’s one thing not to complain about.

From Tuesday, July 21st right through to the end of July, it’s a real struggle. The swell is tiny, mostly around 1ft to 4ft with periods of 9 to 10 seconds. The “combined energy” is weak, hovering between 91 and 321 — that’s not enough to get your heart racing. The winds are a mess, mostly cross or cross-onshore, and the wave comment on every single one of these days is either “poor surf conditions” or “marginal surf forecast.” There’s a brief moment on Wednesday, July 28th morning where it’s clean with a light cross-offshore breeze, but the swell is only 2ft and the energy is low (132). It’s not really a standout, just less terrible than the rest.

We then hit a big gap of no real recommendations until the very beginning of August. The first glimmer of something bigger comes on Saturday, August 1st. Swell jumps up to 4ft in the morning, but it’s from the SSE with a period of 12 seconds and the wind is onshore. The energy jumps to 777 (moderate), but it’s still looking marginal. The morning of Sunday, August 2nd, has a 5ft swell from the S, 13-second period, and a “combined energy” of 1300 (strong) — that’s a serious amount of water moving around. But again, wind is onshore and there’s a risk of thunderstorms. This is big enough that it’s only for the more experienced crew, as anything over 5ft can be a handful for beginners.

The absolute best on offer, if you can call it that, is looking like the morning of Tuesday, August 4th. We’ve got a 7ft swell from the SSW with a 14-second period (proper groundswell), and the “combined energy” is a hefty 1915. That’s very strong. But the wind is a cross-onshore, making it choppy. It’s still only rated as a marginal forecast. The swell direction from the SSW is not the optimum SE direction for Big Ben, so it won’t be as good as it could be. For a beach/jetty break, that long period (14 seconds) can make it break a bit too straight, but there will be some power in the water. This is for experts only, as it’s over 8ft.

So, no real standouts to rave about. The surf is basically non-existent for the first week and a half, then we get a pulse of bigger, messy, onshore swell at the start of August. The setup at Big Ben is likely to be more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing with that strong onshore wind and big, lumpy swell. Forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a tough run.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 31°C on Wed morning, min 25°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 29°C on Fri afternoon, min 23°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Tue
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
ENE
10
1
E
10
1
E
10
1
E
10
0.9
ENE
10
0.8
E
10
0.7
E
9
0.7
E
9
0.6
E
9
0.5
SE
11
0.4
SE
16
0.4
SE
16
0.4
SE
16
0.4
SE
15
0.6
SE
11
0.4
SE
14
0.6
SE
10
0.6
SE
10
0.6
SE
10
0.6
ESE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
276
204
208
208
163
120
85
83
59
59
91
90
87
78
76
74
72
70
65
67
Wind (km/h)
20
SW
15
SW
15
WSW
20
SW
15
SW
10
NE
20
ENE
10
NE
10
ENE
10
SE
10
E
20
NE
20
ENE
10
NE
10
E
10
SE
10
SE
10
SSW
15
S
10
SW
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
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
4:36PM1.36m
1:40AM1.39m
5:02PM1.43m
2:41AM1.44m
Low Tide
3:46AM0.60m
2:55PM0.85m
5:01AM0.55m
3:28PM1.01m
6:26AM0.47m
4:56PM1.15m
7:40AM0.36m
7:43PM1.20m
8:39AM0.25m
9:04PM1.17m
9:26AM0.15m
9:52PM1.11m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
4:39
4:41
4:41
4:41
4:43
4:43
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:51
6:50
6:50
6:49
6:47
6:47
6:46
 mm
2
7
1
3
6
1
2
Temp °C
30
27
31
30
27
30
30
26
28
29
26
26
25
24
26
26
25
26
26
26
Feels °C
32
31
34
33
31
35
33
30
32
33
30
27
25
27
28
28
28
29
28
30
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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.

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