
Surf Forecasts:
Big Ben surf forecast from 22 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s period, ENE swell with 167 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period with SW 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 Thursday (Jul 23) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m and 10s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Big Ben in the next 16 days are 0.9m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 26) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (JST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Big Ben over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.
Well, I gotta be straight with you – the next week or so is a total write-off. We’re looking at a long, frustrating gap with nothing worth paddling out for. The surf is tiny, the wind is all over the place, and the conditions are just plain ugly. It’s a real test of patience.
The first real glimmer of hope doesn't show up until the morning of July 31st. That Friday morning, we’ve got a glassy 2 ft swell coming from the ESE, with a very long period of 17 seconds. The combined energy is moderate at 393. It’s not huge, but it’s clean and that long period groundswell should bring some shape. The wind is glassy, so it’ll be smooth. This is the first surfable moment we’ve had in a while, so keep an eye on it.
But the real standout, the one that has me buzzing, is the morning of August 1st, a Saturday. Big Ben is going to be hit with a solid 7 ft swell from the ESE, with a period of 17 seconds. The combined energy is strong at 2262. You’ll feel that power. The wind is a light NE cross-shore, so it’ll be clean and lined up. This is a big swell for the spot, so it’s one for the experienced crew – beginners should sit this one out. The water temp is about 78°, which is pretty average for this time of year, nothing unusual there.
The swell keeps building into Sunday, August 2nd, with 8 ft to 10 ft on the cards. The energy numbers are massive (4428 and 5187), but honestly, it’s getting too big for this break. The conditions are cross or cross-on, and it’s just going to be a washing machine. Unless you’re a top-tier charger on a gun, it’s probably not the day.
The big swell hangs around through the start of the next week, but the wind turns more onshore, making it messy. The quality drops off. By the 6th of August, it’s just a leftover, choppy mess.
So, bottom line: suffer through the next week, get excited for that glassy little window on the morning of the 31st, and then be ready to go for the bigger, cleaner swell on the morning of August 1st. That’s the pick of the pack.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Thu morning, min 24°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 30mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 29°C on Sat morning, min 23°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SE 11 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 10 | SE 15 | SE 11 | SE 14 | ESE 6 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
208 | 208 | 163 | 120 | 85 | 61 | 59 | 59 | 91 | 90 | 49 | 78 | 76 | 74 | 75 | 67 | 65 | 65 | 50 | 49 | 47 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:58AM1.10m | 9:25PM1.38m | 12:17PM1.05m | 10:06PM1.36m | 3:23PM1.15m | 11:05PM1.35m | 4:08PM1.27m | 00:24AM1.35m | 4:36PM1.36m | 1:40AM1.39m | 5:02PM1.43m | 2:41AM1.44m | 5:26PM1.48m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:55PM0.85m | 5:01AM0.55m | 3:28PM1.01m | 6:26AM0.47m | 4:56PM1.15m | 7:40AM0.36m | 7:43PM1.20m | 8:39AM0.25m | 9:04PM1.17m | 9:26AM0.15m | 9:52PM1.11m | 10:08AM0.09m | 10:29PM1.03m | ||||||||
4:39 | — | — | 4:41 | — | — | 4:41 | — | — | 4:41 | — | — | 4:43 | — | — | 4:43 | — | — | 4:43 | — | — | |
— | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:49 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4 | — | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 30 | 30 | 27 | 31 | 30 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 33 | 33 | 30 | 35 | 33 | 30 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 25 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 | SSW 6 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | SE 10 | SE 10 | E 6 | E 6 | ESE 6 | E 7 | E 6 | ESE 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SE 10 |
208 | 208 | 163 | 49 | 85 | 61 | 59 | 59 | 39 | 52 | 49 | 54 | 46 | 39 | 75 | 60 | 41 | 49 | 24 | 25 | 47 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SE 11 | E 10 | SSW 6 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | E 8 | ENE 8 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 6 | SE 10 | SSW 5 | E 7 | SE 10 | E 6 |
6 | 5 | 18 | 120 | 34 | 24 | 23 | 57 | 53 | 48 | 35 | 22 | 73 | 56 | 55 | 30 | 65 | 18 | 22 | 49 | 11 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | SE 11 | SE 20 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSW 5 | SE 18 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 16 | ENE 6 | SE 15 | SE 15 | SE 14 | NE 10 | SE 10 | NE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 6 |
11 | 5 | 15 | 25 | 25 | 11 | 49 | 43 | 91 | 90 | 12 | 78 | 76 | 74 | 33 | 67 | 24 | 65 | 50 | 7 | 10 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 5 | SW 5 | SW 5 | — | ENE 3 | NE 3 | ENE 4 | E 4 | ESE 4 | SE 4 | SE 4 | ENE 5 | NNW 3 | — | — | — | SW 3 | — | NE 4 | E 6 | — |
25 | 31 | 49 | — | 1 | 3 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 19 | 4 | — | — | — | 3 | — | 6 | 23 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 35 | 1467 | 35 | 6 | 22 | 0 | 35 | 30 | 30 | 6 | 530 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 30 | 0 | 513 | 0 |
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.










