Surf Forecasts:
Rockaway surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, NW swell with 765 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period with WNW 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 Monday (Aug 31) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 8s 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 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 18s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rockaway over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m looking at what’s on the menu for Rockaway over the next couple of weeks. Straight up, it’s a grim stretch of days for paddle surfing. The first solid recommendation doesn’t show up until the very end of the period, so we’ve got a long, quiet wait ahead.
Right now, it’s all about the wait. From Friday the 28th of August right through to the morning of Saturday the 12th of September, every single report is a "poor surf" or "marginal" call. That’s a full two-week gap with nothing worth paddling out for. The winds are mainly cross-onshore or onshore, and the wave state is consistently choppy or has wind ripples. The swell is there, but it’s messy and unfriendly. For a beach and reef setup like Rockaway, exposed to the NW, it’s just not cooperating.
The one bright spot, and it’s the only one I’d even mention, is on the morning of Saturday the 12th of September. We’ve got a 4 ft swell coming from the NW with a period of 11 seconds. The combined energy of all swells is a moderate 792, which is the highest reading in the entire forecast. The wind is light from the west at 6 mph, making it a light cross-onshore. That’s not perfect, but it’s the cleanest we’ll see. The waves will be a bit lumpy with small wind ripples. For a spot that’s been hammered by onshores for weeks, this is a glimmer.
This is a long-range call, so take it as a promising possibility, not a guarantee. If you’re desperate for a surf, this is the only window to keep an eye on. For everyone else, I’d be looking for a different hobby until the pattern changes. This is a classic blank run for Rockaway, and it’s going to take a real shift to get it going.
Stay salty, Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | SW 18 | NW 9 | NW 9 | SW 19 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 268 | 194 | 163 | 268 | 349 | 340 | 735 | 337 | 348 | 339 | 307 | 192 | 126 | 101 | 84 | 111 | 125 | 120 | 219 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 10:55PM2.36m | 12:01PM2.15m | 11:38PM2.29m | 12:27PM2.22m | 00:23AM2.19m | 12:55PM2.28m | 1:12AM2.06m | 1:26PM2.32m | 2:09AM1.91m | 2:01PM2.34m | 3:16AM1.78m | 2:43PM2.35m | 4:40AM1.69m | ||||||
Low Tide | 5:36AM0.41m | 5:42PM0.96m | 6:06AM0.52m | 6:25PM0.85m | 6:36AM0.66m | 7:11PM0.75m | 7:07AM0.83m | 8:01PM0.67m | 7:41AM1.01m | 8:57PM0.61m | 8:20AM1.18m | 10:03PM0.56m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — |
 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 12 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | NW 7 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 125 | 194 | 475 | 395 | 817 | 475 | 683 | 337 | 348 | 339 | 307 | 192 | 126 | 101 | 84 | 48 | 125 | 120 | 131 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 17 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | SW 19 |
| kJ | 167 | 302 | 51 | 27 | 15 | 13 | 6 | 512 | 377 | 367 | 264 | 206 | 118 | 116 | 116 | 84 | 180 | 89 | 219 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | S 11 | SW 13 | SW 14 | S 9 | — | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 16 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSE 10 |
| kJ | 33 | 83 | 61 | 54 | 6 | — | 1 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 79 | 110 | 86 | 72 | 62 | 111 | 97 | 93 | 34 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 7 | — | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 7 | — | WNW 9 | NW 9 |
| kJ | 268 | — | 163 | 268 | 349 | 340 | 735 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 59 | — | 68 | 112 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 22 | 12 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 86 | 84 | 22 | 37 | 61 | 7 | 84 | 51 | 120 | 86 | 12 | 37 | 84 | 37 |
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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