Surf Forecasts:
Rockaway surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 10s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period, NW swell with 1,233 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 9s period with NW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Rockaway this week:
The surf forecast for Rockaway over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 9s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rockaway in the next 16 days are 2.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 18s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 08) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rockaway over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it for Rockaway. We’ve got a bit of a wait on our hands, so don’t be rushing down just yet.
The first real possibility of a surf shows up on Thursday, August 8th, but honestly, it’s not looking good. The swell is only 4ft from the NW with a short, fat 8-second period, and the wind is crossing it up. The combined energy is weak to moderate (191), and the forecast calls it poor. That’s a pass from me.
We’ve got a few days of that same story – poor conditions, small swell, and onshore or cross-shore winds. Saturday, August 10th, gives a little bump with a 7ft NW swell, but the wind is still cross-shore and the energy is moderate (637). The report calls it marginal – not worth the drive.
Then things start to get interesting. Tuesday, August 13th, the wind turns cross-offshore from the SSW, and the swell is 6ft from the NW with a 10-second period. The combined energy is strong (728), and the notes say "expect very good surf conditions." This is our first standout. The water temperature is a very unusual 63°F, which is a full 5° warmer than normal for this time of year – you might not need a full wetsuit. The morning session is the call, with clean conditions and a light breeze. The wave height is in that sweet spot, not too big for most, but with enough punch for the advanced crew. It’s a beach and reef setup, so crowds are possible, especially with that NW swell direction matching the optimum. Wednesday, August 14th, looks similar in the morning – another good one with clean conditions and strong energy (760).
After that, the swell drops off. Thursday, August 15th, is still clean with a cross-offshore wind, but the swell is down to 5ft and the energy is moderate (517). It’s marginal. By Saturday, August 17th, the swell is tiny (3ft) and the energy is weak (93) – don’t bother.
There’s a long gap of nothing until Monday, August 19th, with a 3ft, 15-second groundswell from the SW, but the wind is directly onshore and the energy is moderate (387). It’s a poor call. The rest of the 16-day window fades out with small, onshore slop.
So, the real standout is Tuesday, August 13th, and Wednesday, August 14th, in the mornings. Get it while it’s clean and punchy. It’s not a long window, but it’s the best we’ve got.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | |||||||||||||||
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 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 17 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 9 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 10 | WNW 9 | NW 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 85 | 84 | 84 | 83 | 80 | 135 | 191 | 147 | 703 | 800 | 719 | 1233 | 637 | 475 | 516 | 696 | 575 | 799 | 612 | 460 | 388 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:09PM2.37m | 7:38AM1.66m | 6:10PM2.44m | 8:51AM1.75m | 7:14PM2.53m | 9:44AM1.86m | 8:16PM2.62m | 10:29AM1.97m | 9:14PM2.69m | 11:09AM2.07m | 10:08PM2.70m | 11:47AM2.17m | 11:01PM2.64m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:29AM1.29m | 00:48AM0.51m | 11:39AM1.40m | 1:53AM0.33m | 12:57PM1.44m | 2:50AM0.17m | 2:09PM1.39m | 3:41AM0.05m | 3:12PM1.30m | 4:28AM-0.01m | 4:09PM1.18m | 5:12AM-0.00m | 5:03PM1.06m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — |
 | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 14 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | NW 8 | SW 13 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 9 | NW 9 | SSW 15 | NW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 9 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 10 | WNW 9 | NW 9 |
| kJ | 69 | 70 | 84 | 54 | 69 | 93 | 191 | 147 | 703 | 800 | 146 | 1233 | 637 | 475 | 516 | 696 | 575 | 799 | 612 | 460 | 388 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SSW 19 | SW 17 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 85 | 84 | 81 | 83 | 246 | 135 | 270 | 200 | 226 | 220 | 13 | 142 | 138 | 123 | 101 | 56 | 136 | 249 | 148 | 129 | 206 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 20 | SSW 20 | NNW 7 | SSW 19 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 21 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 11 |
| kJ | 60 | 37 | 5 | 136 | 80 | 83 | 34 | 35 | 56 | 36 | 18 | 24 | 12 | 98 | 133 | 32 | 112 | 64 | 65 | 67 | 21 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WNW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 3 | SSE 4 | SSE 4 |
| kJ | — | — | 47 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 719 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 7 | 7 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 22 | 61 | 22 | 397 | 274 | 22 | 107 | 429 | 22 | 22 | 84 | 69 | 209 | 249 | 22 | 0 | 397 | 0 | 0 | 66 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in San Mateo | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Rockaway Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Rockaway provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Rockaway can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Rockaway 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 (Rockaway) 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 Rockaway 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.
Rockaway is 1 km (1 miles) from Pacifica. If you plan a vacation in San Mateo, look for hotels and other accommodation in Pacifica. Pacifica has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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