Surf Forecasts:
Rockaway surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 18s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 8s period, NW swell with 664 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 18s period with SW 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 Wednesday (Sep 02) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rockaway in the next 16 days are 2.4m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 18s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rockaway over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break it down in feet and miles.
Same story early on: the surf is flat and choppy through the end of August and into early September. Water temp is about normal for the season. The wind is mostly cross-onshore, and the waves are just weak. Not good.
The first real glimmer comes on Thursday, September 3rd. Rockaway is a beach and reef setup that likes NW swell, and we’re getting that. That afternoon, we’ve got a solid 6-foot groundswell from the WNW with a 15-second period – that’s a long, powerful swell. The combined energy is strong (1841), but the wind is cross-onshore, so it’ll be a bit bumpy. It’s the best of the bunch by a long shot, and it’s for the advanced crew only. This is the one to watch.
Friday the 4th, the morning still has size – around 6 feet from the WNW with an 11-second period, and the energy is decent (645). Wind is still cross-onshore, so not clean, but it’s surfable.
Then it dries up. From Saturday the 5th through to Monday the 7th, the swell drops off and the wind is onshore or cross-onshore. A real lull.
Tuesday the 8th, we get a tiny bit of glassy conditions in the morning, but the swell is only 1 feet. Clean, but you’ll be struggling. Wednesday the 9th has a bit of clean cross-off wind and small, ordinary waves. Nothing exciting.
Thursday the 10th, the swell picks up a bit – 3 feet from the SW with a long 18-second period, and the energy is moderate (553). The wind is light cross-onshore, so it’s a bit bumpy but maybe worth a look. After that, it’s back to poor conditions through to Sunday the 13th, with small, messy surf.
Bottom line: Thursday September 3rd and maybe the morning of Friday the 4th are your best bets. The rest is a wash.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | SW 18 | SW 17 | WNW 9 | NW 9 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | WNW 10 | NW 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 297 | 394 | 589 | 337 | 300 | 398 | 300 | 158 | 98 | 51 | 33 | 109 | 97 | 106 | 107 | 293 | 427 | 449 | 439 | 333 | 139 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 3:37PM2.34m | 6:16AM1.69m | 4:42PM2.34m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 9:10AM1.34m | 11:16PM0.50m | 10:19AM1.45m | 00:29AM0.42m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — |
 | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:35 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 7 | SSW 13 | NW 10 | S 12 | S 12 | NW 9 | S 13 | NW 9 | NW 10 | NW 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 817 | 475 | 683 | 337 | 300 | 398 | 300 | 158 | 98 | 51 | 154 | 100 | 228 | 224 | 107 | 339 | 178 | 281 | 304 | 373 | 458 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 7 | S 11 | NW 9 | WNW 9 | SSW 13 | WNW 8 | S 12 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 15 | 13 | 6 | 512 | 377 | 367 | 264 | 206 | 154 | 154 | 33 | 85 | 70 | 106 | 141 | 92 | 309 | 449 | 439 | 351 | 186 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | — | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | S 11 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | W 15 | NW 10 |
| kJ | 6 | — | 1 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 35 | 33 | 89 | 104 | 63 | 109 | 97 | 93 | 84 | 293 | 427 | 244 | 195 | 17 | 139 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 7 | — | — | WNW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 10 | NW 6 |
| kJ | 297 | 394 | 589 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 25 | — | — | 68 | — | — | — | — | — | 333 | 83 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 22 | 84 | 75 | 22 | 84 | 51 | 400 | 84 | 19 | 61 | 86 | 0 | 84 | 236 | 12 | 37 | 84 | 58 | 22 | 972 | 84 |
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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