Rockaway Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break it down for the 16-day window at Rockaway. The first week is a tough slog with the wind and the chop. There’s a little light at the end of the tunnel, but you’ll need to wait for it.

The first few days, starting Monday the 27th of July, are a no-go. We’ve got chest-high swell from the southwest, but the period is a super long 18-19 seconds, which is proper groundswell. The combined energy is moderate to strong (914-1114), but the cross-onshore wind is just destroying the face. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual.

We finally get a window on Tuesday morning the 4th of August. The wind shifts to a light cross-offshore breeze from the SSW, and the surf cleans right up. The swell is a solid 6.9 ft from the northwest, with a period of 9 seconds. The combined energy is moderate (771). This is the standout for the whole run. The conditions are described as "clean," and that’s the golden ticket. It’s good for advanced surfers, as that 6.9 ft is solid, and the cross-offshore wind will make for some proper lines. The swell direction isn’t perfect, but the clean conditions make it the best on offer.

After that, the rest of the forecast fades. The swell drops off, and the wind turns back to a cross-shore. By the morning of Sunday the 9th of August, we’re down to waist-high mush, and by Monday the 10th, it’s a tiny, clean but tiny, 1.6 ft cross-offshore swell from the west. The combined energy is weak (207). It’s a long period (16 seconds), but there’s just no size. The 11th is the same story.

So, the honest truth is: if you want to get wet, your best bet is to wait for that Tuesday morning the 4th of August. The rest of the time, it’s either blown out or too small. The crowd factor is a possibility at Rockaway on good days, so if you’re out there on that Tuesday, expect some company.

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