Surf Forecasts:
Rockaway surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 30 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, NW swell with 1,121 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Rockaway this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Rockaway in the next 16 days are 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 30) 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 1.1m 18s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rockaway over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Rockaway. The swell window is open, but it’s been a rough run for a while. The last few days of July and first couple of August days are looking pretty grim—persistent cross-on winds and small, short-period swell making for choppy, poor conditions. We’re looking at a few days of marginal surf from around the 27th of July, but nothing to get excited about. Then there’s a real gap of poor surf from the 28th of July right through to the 2nd of August, with only a couple of mornings offering a glimmer of hope. The best bet in this whole 16-day window is the morning of the 3rd of August, and then the morning of the 4th of August.
The standout is Rockaway on Monday morning, 3rd August. We’ve got a solid 10 ft swell from the NW, with a period of 10 seconds. That’s a moderate energy swell (combined energy of all swells directed here is 2946) and the wind is a gentle cross-shore, which is a big deal—it means the surf will be reasonably clean, with just a slight cross-chop. The swell direction (NW) is right on the optimum for this spot. This is a consistent, advanced break, and with that size, it’s definitely for experienced surfers only. The water temperature is 61°F, which is a whopping 4°F warmer than normal for this time of year—that’s very unusual, so you’ll be in for a treat.
Next up, Tuesday morning, 4th August is also worth a look. Same size, 10 ft swell from the NW, but with a longer period of 11 seconds. This is a groundswell, which means better shaped waves and more energy (combined energy of all swells: 2016). The wind is again a gentle cross-shore, keeping things clean. However, this longer period swell can be a bit too straight at a beach setup, so it might be better on the points or reefs. Still, a promising morning.
After that, the swell drops off and the wind turns back to cross-on, so the surf quality goes downhill again. The 5th and 6th of August look like a return to the poor conditions we’ve been seeing.
So, if you’re a competent surfer, mark your calendar for the morning of the 3rd of August. It’s the best call in a pretty average run. The 4th is a solid backup, but the 3rd has the edge. Anything else in this window is just a washout.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 6 | SW 24 | SW 24 | SW 22 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 19 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 63 | 53 | 51 | 97 | 661 | 661 | 462 | 763 | 543 | 843 | 627 | 608 | 522 | 628 | 920 | 886 | 706 | 781 | 844 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:16AM1.65m | 6:52PM2.27m | 9:21AM1.72m | 7:41PM2.29m | 10:09AM1.78m | 8:27PM2.34m | 10:48AM1.83m | 9:11PM2.39m | 11:22AM1.88m | 9:52PM2.44m | 11:54AM1.92m | 10:32PM2.46m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:34AM0.64m | 12:29PM1.39m | 2:26AM0.55m | 1:31PM1.44m | 3:13AM0.45m | 2:26PM1.45m | 3:54AM0.37m | 3:13PM1.43m | 4:33AM0.30m | 3:56PM1.39m | 5:09AM0.25m | 4:37PM1.34m | |||||||
 | |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — |
 | 8:25 | — | 8:25 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 14 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 7 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 24 | SW 24 | S 12 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 |
| kJ | 93 | 253 | 189 | 158 | 661 | 661 | 146 | 763 | 543 | 843 | 627 | 608 | 522 | 628 | 920 | 693 | 703 | 781 | 640 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 14 | S 13 | SW 22 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 21 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 |
| kJ | 261 | 144 | 126 | 75 | 196 | 167 | 462 | 137 | 37 | 56 | 46 | 28 | 178 | 39 | 22 | 56 | 35 | 32 | 31 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 10 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 16 | SW 12 | S 10 | SSW 15 | S 10 | SSW 11 | SW 14 | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 |
| kJ | 63 | 53 | 51 | 48 | 85 | 85 | 44 | 25 | 38 | 17 | 21 | 18 | 41 | 29 | 23 | 37 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | NW 6 | NW 5 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 |
| kJ | — | 28 | 46 | 97 | 84 | 84 | 219 | 129 | 148 | 347 | 170 | 247 | 434 | 284 | 352 | 886 | 706 | 763 | 844 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 37 | 86 | 84 | 75 | 84 | 84 | 83 | 84 | 84 | 22 | 22 | 84 | 74 | 22 | 84 | 22 | 22 | 84 | 22 |
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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