
Surf Forecasts:
Big Ben surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 10s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period, E swell with 1,258 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 9s period with E 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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Big Ben in the next 16 days are 2.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (JST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Big Ben over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let's get into it.
To be honest, looking at the next couple of weeks, it’s a bit of a flat, messy stretch for the most part. We’ve got some waves, sure, but for a while there it’s mostly going to be a choppy, cross-onshore mess at Big Ben. The first few days, the 12th through the 15th, are looking pretty ordinary. We’ve got some chest-high stuff, around 4ft to 5ft, but the wind is all over the place, mostly cross and cross-on, with those risk of thunderstorms hanging around. The energy is moderate, in the 500 to 700 range, but the quality is just poor. It’s not going to be clean.
Now, there is a bit of a pulse that comes through on the Sunday the 16th. The swell bumps up to a solid 8ft to 8ft, and the energy really jumps into the strong category, hitting 2135 and then 2336. It’s still not going to be perfect, but the Sunday morning is looking the pick of the bunch, with a cross-offshore wind and clean conditions. That’s the standout of the entire period. It’s a bit of a bigger, more powerful swell, but it’s still within the realm of good for experienced surfers. It could be a bit much for beginners though, so be careful. The period is a 10-second easterly, so it’ll have some push to it.
After that, the swell backs off quickly. Monday the 17th still has some fun waves, but the wind turns cross-on again. It’s not great. Then we hit a lull. From the 18th through until the 25th, it’s a real dry spell. The swell drops below 4ft, and most days are just poor, with small, weak swells and onshore winds. There are a couple of glassy mornings, like the 20th and the 22nd, but the swell is just too small at 3ft to 3ft to get too excited about. We’re looking at a solid week with no real good surf on offer.
The long-range looks a little better, but it’s not a sure thing. Around the 25th of August, there’s a hint of a bigger, longer-period swell from the SW. We’re talking 5ft, but the period is a short 6 seconds, so it’s not going to have the same kind of power. The wind is also cross-shore, so it’s a bit of a gamble. For the last few days of the period, there’s some energy on the way, but the winds are questionable. It’s promising, but I wouldn't book my trip around it. We need things to line up better.
So, if you’re looking for the one to go for, it’s the Sunday the 16th, first thing. That’s your best shot. Everything else is just waiting for the ocean to sort itself out.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 93mm), heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 28°C on Thu afternoon, min 22°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Tue night, light winds from the N by Wed night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 27°C on Sat morning, min 21°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | ENE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
494 | 235 | 220 | 287 | 414 | 514 | 514 | 524 | 514 | 494 | 598 | 600 | 585 | 1137 | 1243 | 949 | 660 | 495 | 337 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 3:13AM1.47m | 5:21PM1.50m | 4:00AM1.54m | 5:41PM1.52m | 4:43AM1.58m | 6:02PM1.53m | 5:24AM1.59m | 6:22PM1.53m | 6:04AM1.56m | 6:42PM1.52m | 6:45AM1.49m | 7:03PM1.51m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:08PM1.02m | 10:20AM0.13m | 10:38PM0.92m | 10:54AM0.14m | 11:08PM0.81m | 11:26AM0.18m | 11:38PM0.70m | 11:57AM0.26m | 00:10AM0.61m | 12:25PM0.38m | 00:43AM0.54m | 12:52PM0.51m | 1:20AM0.50m | ||||||
— | 4:56 | — | — | 4:56 | — | — | 4:56 | — | — | 4:58 | — | — | 4:58 | — | — | 5:00 | — | — | |
6:32 | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:25 | — | |
mm | 64 | 10 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 13 | 6 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 23 |
Feels °C | 25 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 24 | 27 | 26 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | ENE 9 |
494 | 235 | 220 | 287 | 414 | 514 | 514 | 524 | 514 | 494 | 598 | 600 | 585 | 951 | 1060 | 949 | 660 | 495 | 337 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SW 10 | S 5 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSE 9 | SSW 11 | S 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 |
58 | 63 | 110 | 27 | 86 | 85 | 59 | 32 | 48 | 43 | 91 | 96 | 48 | 47 | 33 | 47 | 36 | 32 | 29 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SW 10 | S 6 | SSW 10 | S 11 | SSE 11 | S 12 | S 12 | SE 11 | S 12 | SSE 8 | SE 10 | SE 12 | — | — | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 |
42 | 37 | 16 | 68 | 2 | 13 | 25 | 44 | 30 | 75 | 22 | 15 | 35 | — | — | 19 | 31 | 30 | 40 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 10 | E 10 | — | — | — | — |
119 | 212 | 146 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1137 | 1243 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 183 | 81 | 49 | 0 | 6 | 22 | 6 | 29 | 29 | 48 | 29 | 48 | 0 | 29 | 29 | 0 | 29 | 22 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Chiba | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Japan | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Latest Updates
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.











