Big Ben Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, this is Rusty. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a quiet start. The first few days at Big Ben are pretty flat with tiny, weak swell – think 1ft to 2ft, and the wind is a bit messy, cross-on or cross-shore. It’s pretty poor out there, so don’t bother paddling out just yet. This stretch of nothing really lasts from Thursday afternoon through to Saturday morning, with the energy creeping up slowly but still not enough to get excited about. The water temp is sitting at 81°, which is spot on average for this time of year, so at least you won’t need a thick suit.

Come Saturday the 22nd, we see a lift – swell hits 3ft from the east, with a period around 10 seconds, and the energy bumps up to moderate (260 to 331). Still, it’s only marginal, and the wind is cross-shore, so it’s pretty average. Sunday the 23rd morning is similar, but the afternoon brings a bit more promise: a 3ft swell from the SSE with a long 14-second period, and the energy jumps to 692 (moderate). The wind is light cross-on, and with that longer period, it’s a groundswell that’ll shape up better at points and reefs, but Big Ben is a beach/jetty setup, so it might break a bit straight. Still, it’s worth a look if you’re keen.

Now, the real standout is a long way off, but it’s a cracker. Head out to Big Ben on the morning of Sunday the 30th of August. The swell is 7ft from the SSE with an 11-second period, and the energy is strong (1037). The wind is glassy – absolute perfection. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers, and it’s going to be clean as a whistle. The other morning that pops is Saturday the 29th, with 6ft from the SSE and an 8-second period, but the wind is cross-off and clean, so it’s still a solid option. The 30th morning is the pick of the bunch, though – that glassy wind and solid SSE swell is a true standout.

A couple of things to keep in mind: on the 25th and 26th of August, the swell gets huge – 13ft to 17ft from the south and SSE, but the wind is mostly cross-on or glassy, and the energy is insane (8144 to 12667). The notes say it’s too big for the break, so only experts should even consider it, and even then, it’s a beast. Also, the 28th brings a drop-off with 8ft from the SSE, but the period is short (8 seconds) and the wind picks up to a moderate breeze, making it messy and marginal.

Overall, the best of the best is the Sunday morning of the 30th of August at Big Ben – glassy conditions, 7ft SSE swell, and excellent quality. The Saturday the 29th is a close second with clean cross-off winds. The first week is a write-off, but hold out for that last weekend of August – it’ll be worth the wait.

Rusty.

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