Big Ben Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let me break down what's cookin'.

First things first – the next week and a half is pretty much a dead zone. You're lookin' at a solid 8-day stretch where you won't find anything worth paddlin' for, so save your energy. The water's a warm 82°, which is about 2° warmer than average for this time of year – nothin' wild, just a bit above the norm.

The first time you might see a ripple worth a glance is Saturday, August 31st. The morning's got a light offshore breeze and near-glass, but the swell is tiny – just 2ft from the east. The wave energy is weak (141). You could get a few knee-high sliders if you're really itchin', but it's not a day to plan around. The afternoon turns glassy, but it's still only 2ft.

Now, here's the one that's got my attention – but it's a long way out, so keep your fingers crossed. Look at Monday, September 8th. We've got a south swell rollin' in at 4ft with a 13-second period. The wind is blowin' offshore from the NNE, which will keep Big Ben nice and clean. This is a beach and jetty break, and it's inconsistent, so you'll be waitin' for the sets. But when they come, the quality should be there. The combined energy is moderate (595), and the direction lines up well with the break. This is your best chance across the whole 16 days – solid, clean, head-high waves for the experienced crew. Beginners might find it a bit much if it pushes 5ft, but for the rest of us, it's the window to aim for.

Before that, Saturday, September 5th has a pulse of ENE swell at 6ft, but the period is short (9 seconds) and the wind is messy. That one's gonna be choppy and bumpy – more of a kite day than a paddle day. The rest of the second week is just marginal, ordinary stuff with cross-shore breezes and small, weak swell.

Bottom line: the first 8 days are a bust. The standout is that Monday, September 8th at Big Ben. Put it on the radar, but don't hold your breath – long-range forecasts are a gamble.

Rusty

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