Big Ben Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ over the next couple of weeks for Big Ben.

Well, straight up, this isn’t the most consistent run we’ve ever seen. There are going to be some good windows, but also some proper flat spells and grovel sessions. The first few days are a real mixed bag – we’ve got some size but the wind is all over the shop, often making things pretty average. Water temp’s sitting around 81°, which is about normal for this time of year, so no crazy surprises there in terms of what you’re wearing.

The standout window for the first week is looking like Sunday the 16th. The morning session is the pick. You’re looking at a solid 7ft east swell with clean conditions off a light westerly breeze. The combined energy is running at 955, a nice moderate pulse that will actually offer some decent shaped waves. It’s not monstrous, but it’s the best quality on offer by a long shot in the first part of the run. For a spot that can be a bit inconsistent, having that energy with clean conditions is the one to point the car at.

After that, things get a bit sketchy. Monday the 17th morning has a lot of size – 10ft on the east – but that’s just too much juice for a beach/jetty setup, real expert territory only, and the wind is up too making it messy. Honestly, that Monday looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer.

Then there’s a real dry spell. From the afternoon of Tuesday the 18th all the way through to Friday the 21st, the surf really drops off. Swell heights tumbling down below 3ft, periods dropping to 8 or 9 seconds, and the wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore. That stretch is a proper write-off – you’re looking at close to four days where it’s just not worth paddling out unless you’re desperate.

Hope comes back on Saturday the 22nd. The morning has a clean 6ft east swell (energy at 545), and then the afternoon... oh boy, the afternoon is special. Clean 6ft swell, but the wind drops to glassy. That’s an absolute gem of a session if the forecast holds. That afternoon is your other true standout – glassy conditions, chest to shoulder high waves, and a solid period of 9 seconds. Perfect for a longboard or a fun shortboard.

From Sunday the 23rd onward, the swell drops away again and the wind goes onshore. By the 24th and 25th, we’re down to 2ft with long period (13-second) groundswell pushing through, but the onshore wind is just going to chop it all up. You might get a clean face at a river or point, but at a beach break like Big Ben, that long period stuff just walls up and closes out. Not worth the fight.

So bottom line: Saturday 16th morning is your best early bet, and that glassy Saturday 22nd afternoon is the one to circle on the calendar. Everything else is slim pickins.

Rusty.

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