Big Ben Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let's get into it.

To be honest, looking at the next couple of weeks, it’s a bit of a flat, messy stretch for the most part. We’ve got some waves, sure, but for a while there it’s mostly going to be a choppy, cross-onshore mess at Big Ben. The first few days, the 12th through the 15th, are looking pretty ordinary. We’ve got some chest-high stuff, around 4ft to 5ft, but the wind is all over the place, mostly cross and cross-on, with those risk of thunderstorms hanging around. The energy is moderate, in the 500 to 700 range, but the quality is just poor. It’s not going to be clean.

Now, there is a bit of a pulse that comes through on the Sunday the 16th. The swell bumps up to a solid 8ft to 8ft, and the energy really jumps into the strong category, hitting 2135 and then 2336. It’s still not going to be perfect, but the Sunday morning is looking the pick of the bunch, with a cross-offshore wind and clean conditions. That’s the standout of the entire period. It’s a bit of a bigger, more powerful swell, but it’s still within the realm of good for experienced surfers. It could be a bit much for beginners though, so be careful. The period is a 10-second easterly, so it’ll have some push to it.

After that, the swell backs off quickly. Monday the 17th still has some fun waves, but the wind turns cross-on again. It’s not great. Then we hit a lull. From the 18th through until the 25th, it’s a real dry spell. The swell drops below 4ft, and most days are just poor, with small, weak swells and onshore winds. There are a couple of glassy mornings, like the 20th and the 22nd, but the swell is just too small at 3ft to 3ft to get too excited about. We’re looking at a solid week with no real good surf on offer.

The long-range looks a little better, but it’s not a sure thing. Around the 25th of August, there’s a hint of a bigger, longer-period swell from the SW. We’re talking 5ft, but the period is a short 6 seconds, so it’s not going to have the same kind of power. The wind is also cross-shore, so it’s a bit of a gamble. For the last few days of the period, there’s some energy on the way, but the winds are questionable. It’s promising, but I wouldn't book my trip around it. We need things to line up better.

So, if you’re looking for the one to go for, it’s the Sunday the 16th, first thing. That’s your best shot. Everything else is just waiting for the ocean to sort itself out.

Rusty.

Read more