Big Ben Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer at Big Ben.

Right off the bat, it’s a slow start. There’s no surf worth paddling out for on Monday or Tuesday – the energy’s weak and the wind’s all wrong. Things start to look up a little on Wednesday morning. That’s the first real chance to get wet. The 31st of August and 1st of September are write-offs, so we’re talking a two-day gap before any kind of recommendation.

Wednesday morning, the 2nd of September, is your first real window. The swell is tiny at 3 ft from the east, but the wind is glassy – dead calm. That’s a major positive. The water temp is sitting at 83°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. Combined wave energy is moderate (217). It’s a beginner-friendly spot, so it’s perfect for a longboard or a foamy, but don’t expect much push.

The next notable moment is Sunday the 6th of September. The swell picks up to 6 ft from the east-northeast, with a short period of 8 seconds. The wind is cross-off and clean, but the energy is strong (645). The swell is a bit short-period, so it’ll be a bit lumpy, but it’s a clean session for those who don’t mind a bit of size.

Now, the standout. On Monday the 7th of September, the swell cranks. We’re looking at 10 ft from the east, with a period of 9 seconds, and the wind is cross-off and clean. The combined energy is very strong (1676). But here’s the catch – this is a beach/jetty setup, and at over 8 ft, it’s big enough for experts only. Beginners should stay well clear. The swell is too big for this break, so it’s a watch-from-the-beach day unless you’re a charger.

Tuesday the 8th of September is massive – 13 ft from the east-northeast, 10-second period, and cross-off wind. Energy is extreme (3800). Again, too big for this spot. Wednesday the 9th sees a shift in direction to the south-southeast, with a 12-second period and 10 ft swell. That’s a long-period groundswell, and it’ll be clean, but it’s still well over the 8 ft mark. Only for the brave.

The second week gets a bit messy. From the 10th onward, the swell stays solid but the wind turns onshore or cross-onshore, which will chop things up. The 11th and 12th of September have overhead waves, but the wind is from the east or southeast, so it’s not going to be clean. The water stays warm, but the quality drops off.

The best bet overall? Wednesday morning, the 2nd of September. It’s small, it’s clean, and it’s glassy. Not a classic, but a peaceful start to the day. The bigger stuff in the second week is promising but less certain – the wind and size make it a gamble for all but the most experienced.

Signing off, Rusty.

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