Big Ben Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what Big Ben has in store for us over the next couple of weeks.

Straight up, the first few days are a write-off. We’re lookin’ at Monday the 27th through to Tuesday the 29th morning with absolutely nothing worth paddling out for. The wind is messy, the swell is tiny and weak. Just one of those periods where you’re better off waxing your board and waiting.

Then things change. Wednesday morning the 29th of July, we get a nice surprise. The wind drops to glassy, dead calm, and the swell pushes up to 6ft from the SW. The combined energy is solid at 471 (moderate). It’s a short period, 7 seconds, so it’s a bit of a windswell, but with that glassy surface it’s gonna be clean and fun. Wednesday afternoon stays glassy too, with a 3ft SSW swell. If you’re a beginner, this is on the limit at 6ft, but it’s clean and should be manageable. The water here is a touch warmer than normal at 81°F, so that’s a nice bonus.

After that, we slide back into a dry spell. Thursday the 30th through Saturday the 1st of August is all small, weak, and choppy. Nothing doing.

Now, Sunday the 2nd of August gets interesting. The swell jumps to 4ft from the ESE with a very long period of 15 seconds. The energy is strong at 750 (moderate-to-strong). It’s a proper groundswell. The wind is a moderate cross-shore, so it’ll be a bit lumpy, but that long period will give some nice lines. Keep in mind, long period swells can break a bit straight on a beach/jetty setup like this, but it’s worth a look. Monday the 3rd of August builds further, with 7ft to 8ft ESE swell and periods up to 17 seconds. Energy is 2028 to 3483 (strong). The wind is still cross-shore, so it’s not perfect, but the swell is pumping.

Then we get the standouts. Tuesday the 4th of August through Friday the 7th of August, the swell cranks. We’re talking 12ft to 20ft from the ESE and E, with periods of 16 to 18 seconds. The energy is massive, think 8465 to 19446 (very strong). This is not for beginners. Over 8ft, this is only for experts. For the experienced crew, the wind is offshore or cross-offshore on Wednesday the 5th, with a clean 13ft ESE swell. That is your best window. The wind is light and clean, the swell is huge and powerful. But don’t be fooled, the sheer size and power will make it a serious mission.

After that, Saturday the 8th of August sees the swell drop back to 5ft, but it’s onshore and choppy. The following days through to Tuesday the 11th of August stay marginal, with swell around 5ft to 8ft, but the wind is generally cross-onshore, making it messy.

So, the pick of the whole period? Without a doubt, Wednesday the 5th of August morning. You’ve got a 13ft ESE groundswell, a 17 second period, and a clean cross-offshore wind from the north. That’s the big one for the experienced surfers. If you’re not in that league, your best bet is Wednesday the 29th of July morning – glassy, clean, and 6ft SW swell. It’s not huge, but it’s the only clean, rideable surf in the first week.

Stay safe out there, and don’t be a kook.

Rusty.

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