
Surf Forecasts:
Big Ben surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 22 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 10s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 21 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s period, E swell with 483 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 22 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m 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 1.4m 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 1.1m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (JST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Big Ben over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the next couple of weeks.
To be straight with you, the first week and a half is pretty much a write-off. We’re looking at a long, flat spell with poor surf conditions. From Friday the 17th through to Thursday the 24th, there’s nothing worth paddling out for. The wind is mostly cross or onshore, and the waves are small, weak, and messy. The combined energy barely cracks 200 (213) at best, and most days it’s well under that. For a spot like Big Ben (beach/jetty), this is a quiet stretch.
We finally see a pulse of energy arrive on Sunday the 26th. It’s the first real sign of life. Early morning, the swell builds to about 4ft from the SSE with a period of 12 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to 546. The water temp is about 77°, which is pretty average for this time of year, nothing unusual. The wind is a gentle cross-shore from the SSW, so it’s not perfect, but it’s manageable. The surf is still described as marginal, so don’t expect perfection, but it’s a step up from the flat spell.
The real standout, the one that’s got me a bit fired up, is the morning of Thursday the 31st of July. Now, this is a long way out, so take it with a grain of salt, but the numbers are beefy. We’ve got an 12ft swell from the SSW, but with a short period of 8 seconds. That’s a lot of water moving and it’s going to be a handful. The combined energy is a strong 1616. The wind is onshore from the SE at 9 mph, which is a bit of a bummer. The forecast even says the swell is too big for this break, and honestly, at 12ft, this is experts-only territory. It’s going to be a wild, challenging day. For a beginner-friendly spot, this is a “stay on the beach and watch” kind of day. The same afternoon stays big at 12ft with a 9-second period and even more energy (2391). This is the only real heavy-hitter in the window.
So, if you’re chasing something, keep an eye on the 31st, but don’t get your hopes up for anything clean or easy. August 1st looks like it’s dropping off quickly. For now, the best advice is to wait for the next forecast update.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Warm (max 28°C on Fri morning, min 24°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 30°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
199 | 172 | 154 | 130 | 168 | 220 | 166 | 166 | 196 | 188 | 202 | 483 | 343 | 318 | 250 | 170 | 163 | 128 | 87 | 61 | 60 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | glassy | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 7:10PM1.47m | 6:05AM1.47m | 7:35PM1.45m | 6:50AM1.40m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:18PM0.11m | 00:36AM0.82m | 12:51PM0.22m | 1:15AM0.75m | 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 | ||||||||
4:37 | — | — | 4:37 | — | — | 4:37 | — | — | 4:39 | — | — | 4:39 | — | — | 4:39 | — | — | 4:41 | — | — | |
— | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:51 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | |
mm | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 25 |
Feels °C | 31 | 31 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 34 | 34 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 |
199 | 172 | 154 | 130 | 168 | 220 | 166 | 166 | 196 | 188 | 202 | 483 | 343 | 318 | 250 | 170 | 163 | 128 | 87 | 61 | 60 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SE 7 | ENE 14 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 |
20 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 33 | 31 | 14 | 5 | 23 | 7 | 66 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 6 | 28 | 18 | 8 | 39 | 25 | 47 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SW 8 | SW 7 | SW 7 | SW 7 | S 8 | WSW 7 | ESE 12 | S 8 | S 8 | SE 8 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SSE 8 | ESE 11 | SSE 11 | SSW 5 | SSE 8 | SE 18 |
15 | 14 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 12 | 5 | 15 | 5 | 4 | 18 | 5 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 11 | 11 | 2 | 6 | 49 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | SSE 7 | — | — | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | — | SSW 3 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 5 | — | ENE 2 | NE 4 | NE 4 | E 4 | E 4 |
21 | 16 | 8 | 9 | — | — | 43 | 50 | — | 3 | 13 | 7 | 16 | 26 | 35 | — | 1 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 9 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 30 | 184 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 121 | 35 | 576 | 39 | 35 | 30 | 0 | 35 | 557 | 35 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Chiba | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Japan | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










