Surf Forecasts:
Big Rock surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 12s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 17s period, SW swell with 671 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 17s period with WSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Big Rock this week:
The surf forecast for Big Rock over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Big Rock in the next 16 days are 1.1m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Big Rock over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get stuck into this one.
Outlook for Big Rock
We’re looking at a pretty quiet start for the next week or so at Big Rock. The opening days are a bit of a write-off with tiny waves and messy conditions. For the first week, from Sunday the 23rd through to the end of August, honestly, it’s mostly a waiting game. The swell is small, often under 3 ft, and the wind is generally onshore or cross-onshore, meaning the surface is going to be bumpy and uninviting. There’s a bit of a tease on Saturday the 29th with a marginal run of swell, but nothing that’s going to get the heart racing.
The real story here is what’s brewing for the second week. The energy starts to build from Wednesday the 4th of September. The combined swell energy climbs from moderate (1053) up to strong levels (1325) by the weekend of the 6th and 7th. We’re seeing a long-period groundswell from the SW, with periods around 14 to 16 seconds, which means proper, powerful lines. The main issue is the wind. For most of the standouts, it’s a cross-onshore breeze from the WSW, which will put a bit of a chop on the face. Because of the long period, this SW groundswell is best suited to the reef setup at Big Rock, as it will hold the shape better than a beach break.
The standout period is the weekend of the 6th and 7th of September. Swell heights are pushing 5 ft to 6 ft, with a very strong 14-second period from the SSW. The combined energy peaks at 1479 on the Monday afternoon. This is serious, powerful surf. Given the size (over 5 ft), it’s getting into the territory for experienced surfers only. The onshore wind will keep it from being perfect, but for raw power and size, this is the best on offer by a long shot. The earlier run on the 4th and 5th of September is also a solid option with 4 ft to 4 ft of SW swell and cleaner, lighter winds, but the weekend is the real heavyweight.
No other breaks are in the data, so we’re all in on Big Rock. The water is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year at 72°F with a 4°F anomaly, so it’s noticeably pleasant.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue morning, min 22°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Fri morning, min 22°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 171 | 154 | 233 | 252 | 135 | 222 | 216 | 225 | 339 | 336 | 411 | 470 | 343 | 148 | 208 | 216 | 165 | 663 | 589 | 653 | 612 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 8:46AM1.14m | 7:02PM1.65m | 9:01AM1.19m | 7:40PM1.74m | 9:17AM1.24m | 8:14PM1.81m | 9:35AM1.31m | 8:46PM1.84m | 9:55AM1.38m | 9:19PM1.82m | 10:16AM1.46m | 9:52PM1.76m | 10:39AM1.53m | 10:28PM1.64m | |||||||
Low Tide | 12:58PM0.88m | 2:23AM0.01m | 1:35PM0.78m | 2:50AM-0.04m | 2:08PM0.68m | 3:14AM-0.07m | 2:40PM0.58m | 3:38AM-0.08m | 3:14PM0.49m | 4:01AM-0.05m | 3:49PM0.42m | 4:24AM0.02m | 4:27PM0.36m | 4:47AM0.13m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:19 | — | — | 7:17 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 |
Feels °C | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SW 17 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 43 | 154 | 233 | 252 | 111 | 222 | 137 | 225 | 339 | 336 | 411 | 470 | 343 | 148 | 208 | 110 | 82 | 663 | 589 | 653 | 612 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SW 18 | W 5 | SSW 14 | SW 17 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | SW 15 | W 7 | SSW 11 | SW 14 | SW 16 | WNW 8 | S 8 | S 8 | WNW 9 | W 9 |
| kJ | 114 | 154 | 19 | 120 | 135 | 156 | 216 | 208 | 203 | 48 | 48 | 171 | 39 | 143 | 116 | 216 | 38 | 50 | 34 | 88 | 83 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | WNW 10 | SW 18 | W 6 | W 6 | WNW 5 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 16 | SW 15 | W 7 | SW 15 | W 8 | SW 18 | WNW 8 | SW 16 | W 8 | W 8 | S 8 | SSW 8 |
| kJ | 171 | 9 | 155 | 17 | 17 | 9 | 17 | 18 | 27 | 245 | 188 | 23 | 104 | 45 | 150 | 38 | 165 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 22 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 18 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 266 | 0 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 66 | 0 | 18 | 18 | 0 | 127 | 18 | 18 |
Best forecast wave conditions in San Diego County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Big Rock Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Big Rock provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Big Rock can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Big Rock 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 Rock) 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 Rock 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 Rock is 11 km (7 miles) from San Diego. If you plan a vacation in San Diego County, look for hotels and other accommodation in San Diego. San Diego has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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