Surf Forecasts:
Big Rock surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s period, SW swell with 340 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 16s period with SW 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 7s. 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 0.9m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 8AM. 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 (Wed 19th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Big Rock over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Big Rock. It’s a reef setup, advanced only, and pretty exposed to the west – so it needs the right window. Truth be told, the next week and a half is a real grind. The swell hangs around 1.3ft to 3.0ft, mostly from the SW, with a period between 13 and 19 seconds – so there’s some long-period groundswell in the mix, which can line up nicely on a reef like this, but the wind just won’t play ball.
From Monday the 17th right through to Saturday the 29th, it’s a whole lot of cross-on and onshore breezes, mostly from the NW through WSW. The wave energy is all over the shop – you’ll see readings like 337 (weak to moderate) going up to 541 (moderate to strong) on the 29th, but the conditions are messy. Choppy, poor surf, nothing you’d paddle out for. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.
Then, finally, we get a glimmer. On Sunday the 30th of August, the morning session is the one. The wind swings to the north at just 3 mph – glassy, mate. Absolute glass. Swell height bumps to 3.0ft from the SW, period at 15 seconds – that’s a nice, long groundswell. The combined energy hits 518 (strong) and the report says “expect very good surf conditions.” This is the standout. It’s a week and a half away, so keep your fingers crossed, but if it comes together, Big Rock will be clean, rippable, and with that long-period you’ll get proper walls. Just remember, it’s an advanced reef, and with the “often” crowds tag, you won’t be alone if the word gets out.
Monday the 31st and Tuesday the 1st of September drop back into marginal, cross-on slop. So really, the only window worth chasing is that Sunday morning glass-off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed morning, min 20°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat morning, min 22°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 297 | 245 | 231 | 211 | 135 | 258 | 291 | 291 | 217 | 211 | 211 | 153 | 140 | 114 | 114 | 84 | 142 | 191 | 171 | 154 | 233 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:01PM1.54m | 1:34AM1.04m | 1:42PM1.49m | 3:28AM0.88m | 2:37PM1.45m | 3:54PM1.43m | 8:26AM1.03m | 5:14PM1.47m | 8:32AM1.09m | 6:16PM1.55m | 8:46AM1.14m | 7:02PM1.65m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 7:47PM0.45m | 6:50AM0.62m | 9:15PM0.47m | 7:07AM0.79m | 11:03PM0.41m | 00:25AM0.30m | 10:32AM1.01m | 1:16AM0.18m | 12:09PM0.97m | 1:53AM0.09m | 12:58PM0.88m | 2:23AM0.01m | |||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | |  | | | | |
 | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:27 | — | — | 7:25 | — | — | 7:24 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 23 |
Feels °C | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 297 | 245 | 43 | 52 | 54 | 52 | 59 | 291 | 217 | 211 | 211 | 153 | 140 | 114 | 114 | 51 | 142 | 191 | 114 | 154 | 233 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 10 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 16 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | WNW 7 | W 7 | WNW 6 | W 6 | SW 14 | SSW 12 | WNW 10 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 32 | 8 | 231 | 211 | 109 | 258 | 291 | 51 | 39 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 52 | 56 | 32 | 171 | 154 | 155 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | S 10 | W 10 | SW 13 | SW 17 | SW 19 | SW 20 | S 8 | W 14 | SW 19 | W 13 | WNW 12 | SW 18 | SW 17 | WNW 11 | SW 18 | WNW 7 | SW 19 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 10 |
| kJ | 8 | 8 | 7 | 83 | 135 | 15 | 16 | 1 | 15 | 57 | 13 | 27 | 82 | 73 | 23 | 84 | 9 | 94 | 32 | 31 | 46 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 35 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 18 | 18 | 10 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 6 | 127 | 211 | 0 | 127 | 211 | 0 | 18 | 18 | 4 | 18 | 18 | 10 |
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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