Big Ben Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.12° N 140.12° E

Big Ben Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 2 am 19 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Big Ben sea temperature is
25.4° 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 18 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, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s period, E swell with 410 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 0.6m and 4s 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 1.3m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 5s 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 Powerful12AM (Tue 21st Jul)4.5ft (1.3m) 11s

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


The Lowdown

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.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Thu night. Warm (max 31°C on Wed morning, min 22°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
E
9
1
E
9
0.9
E
9
0.9
E
9
0.9
E
8
1.3
E
11
1.2
E
11
1.1
ENE
10
1
E
10
0.9
ENE
10
0.9
ENE
10
0.9
ENE
10
0.8
ENE
10
0.8
E
10
0.7
E
9
0.6
E
9
0.5
SE
11
0.4
SE
16
0.4
SE
16
0.4
SE
16
0.5
SE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
166
162
129
120
116
410
332
281
204
163
163
160
125
120
83
59
57
91
90
87
50
Wind (km/h)
15
S
15
S
10
SW
10
SW
20
SW
15
SW
10
SSW
20
SW
10
SW
5
WSW
15
SSW
5
WSW
5
ENE
10
ESE
15
NE
15
NE
20
ENE
15
NNE
15
NE
20
ENE
15
NNE
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
glassy
cross
glassy
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
High Tide
8:00PM1.43m
7:39AM1.31m
8:26PM1.41m
8:37AM1.20m
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
Low Tide
1:23PM0.36m
1:57AM0.70m
1:55PM0.52m
2:46AM0.65m
2:25PM0.68m
3:46AM0.60m
2:55PM0.85m
5:01AM0.55m
3:28PM1.01m
6:26AM0.47m
4:56PM1.15m
7:40AM0.36m
7:43PM1.20m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
thunderstorm
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
4:37
4:39
4:39
4:39
4:41
4:41
4:41
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:52
6:52
6:51
6:50
6:50
6:49
6:47
 mm
7
3
1
1
Temp °C
28
28
26
30
30
26
31
30
27
31
30
27
29
30
27
27
26
23
26
25
22
Feels °C
30
30
30
33
33
30
34
33
32
35
34
32
34
35
32
29
27
24
27
26
23
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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