Big Ben Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’ve got a pretty quiet stretch ahead for Big Ben, with a long wait for anything that’s really worth paddling out for. The first week and a half is mostly a write-off, so don’t be in a rush.

For the first several days, starting Sunday the 19th through to the end of July, the surf is small, messy, and the wind is just not playing ball. The combined energy is weak to moderate, bouncing around the 130 to 380 mark, but the quality is poor. We’ve got cross and cross-onshore breezes churning things up, and the swell is mostly short-period stuff around 8 to 11 seconds, which just doesn’t pack a punch. The water temp is a balmy 78° – pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

There is a brief glimmer on Wednesday morning, the 22nd. The wind goes glassy, which is a big positive, and the swell is tiny at 3ft from the ENE with a 10-second period. The combined energy is only 178, so it’s weak, but the clean surface will make it look better than it is. It’s surfable, but very ordinary. Not a standout.

The real action, and I mean the only real reason to get excited, happens way down the track. From Tuesday the 28th of July, the energy starts to ramp up. The combined swell energy jumps hard, hitting 933 on Tuesday morning, and then it just keeps climbing. By Wednesday the 29th, we’re looking at 8ft S swell with a 15-second period, and the combined energy is 2769. That’s strong. But here’s the thing – the wind is cross, bumping it up, so it’s messy. The surf is marginal, and for a beach/jetty setup like Big Ben, that long period groundswell can make it break a bit straight, which is a caveat.

The biggest swell of the period hits on Thursday the 30th of July. An 11ft S swell, 15-second period, with the combined energy roaring to 5675. That is very strong wave energy. But the wind is onshore from the ESE, and the file says it’s too big for this break. This is expert territory only, and honestly, it’s going to be a washing machine. The same goes for Monday the 3rd of August, with a 10ft SE swell and 5336 combined energy. Too big, too messy.

If you’re a beginner, steer clear of the last week. The best bet for a seasoned surfer is Tuesday the 28th of July, morning session. The swell is 5ft from the S, period 14 seconds, and the combined energy is 933. The wind is light cross-shore, so it’s not glassy, but it’s the most manageable of the bigger days. The crowd factor is “sometimes,” so expect company. Still, with the long period, keep an eye on the tide and try to find a rip to help you get out.

To sum it up: the first week is a dud. The second week has size, but it’s raw and mostly blown out. The best of a not-great bunch is that Tuesday the 28th.

Rusty.

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