
Surf Forecasts:
Rockaway surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 14 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 14 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 9s period, NW swell with 1,124 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 19s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rockaway in the next 16 days are 2.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 14) 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 0.6m 17s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rockaway over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk Rockaway. For the next week and a half, it’s mostly a write-off. The wind’s blowing onshore or cross-onshore nearly every day, chopping up whatever swell shows. Water’s running about 3° warmer than normal, which is a bit odd, but it doesn’t make the surf any better.
The waves that do show are short-period and messy. There’s a tiny bit of long-period energy around the 18th-20th, but it’s only 0.6m to 0.7m—not worth paddling out for. Everything’s weak, and the energy readings are low.
The first real standout is Wednesday morning, September 23rd. Swell’s at 2.0m from the WNW, period 10 seconds, and the wind is light and cross-offshore. That’s clean. That’s proper surf. The combined energy is strong too—1128. It’s the best call of the whole window. The afternoon has a bit of size, 1.8m, but the period jumps to 11 seconds, and at a beach and reef setup like Rockaway, that can make it a bit walled. Morning is the go.
Thursday the 24th morning is also okay—1.7m, WNW, light winds—but not as clean as Wednesday. And then it gets iffy again. Sunday the 27th morning has 2.0m, but it’s cross-shore, so it’s not great. By the afternoon it’s 2.4m with cross-onshore winds and chop. That’s not fun.
For the experienced surfers, Wednesday the 23rd is your window. It’s the only day where everything lines up—size, direction, and clean winds. The rest is either too small, too messy, or too wind-affected.
Beginners—stay home. Most of this is over 1.5m, and when it hits 2.4m on Sunday afternoon, that’s expert territory.
So, mark your calendar for the 23rd, early. That’s the one. Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Sun afternoon, calm by Mon morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NW 6 | NW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | SW 21 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | NW 7 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
178 | 505 | 564 | 564 | 885 | 481 | 307 | 400 | 419 | 372 | 232 | 167 | 132 | 113 | 236 | 236 | 184 | 199 | 307 | 252 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:30AM2.03m | 1:15PM2.36m | 2:26AM1.90m | 1:50PM2.29m | 3:31AM1.78m | 2:30PM2.21m | 4:50AM1.71m | 3:18PM2.13m | 6:19AM1.70m | 4:19PM2.06m | 7:34AM1.75m | 5:29PM2.04m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:16PM0.53m | 7:05AM0.98m | 8:04PM0.54m | 7:41AM1.16m | 8:56PM0.58m | 8:21AM1.32m | 9:54PM0.63m | 9:10AM1.45m | 11:00PM0.67m | 10:19AM1.53m | 00:09AM0.66m | 11:45AM1.55m | 1:10AM0.63m | |||||||
— | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | |
7:21 | — | — | 7:19 | — | — | 7:17 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:12 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 11 | 10 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | WNW 9 | SW 17 | SW 17 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
87 | 85 | 564 | 107 | 107 | 481 | 307 | 400 | 419 | 372 | 232 | 167 | 132 | 98 | 51 | 236 | 184 | 199 | 307 | 252 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 17 | NW 11 | SSW 16 | WNW 10 | SW 15 | SW 19 | SSW 14 | NW 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 |
94 | 92 | 61 | 42 | 23 | 91 | 88 | 63 | 86 | 200 | 31 | 86 | 42 | 104 | 236 | 80 | 27 | 69 | 68 | 40 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | SW 18 | S 9 | WNW 15 | SW 12 | WNW 13 | SSW 19 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | SSW 17 | WNW 11 | SSW 16 | SW 21 | SSW 14 | S 11 | SSW 13 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 |
12 | 10 | 78 | 2 | 42 | 23 | 35 | 74 | 47 | 55 | 59 | 23 | 85 | 113 | 140 | 35 | 69 | 30 | 16 | 15 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 6 | NW 8 | — | WNW 9 | NW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 8 | NW 5 | WNW 6 | NW 6 | NW 7 |
178 | 505 | — | 564 | 885 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 65 | 42 | 55 | 105 | 208 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 86 | 12 | 19 | 84 | 22 | 22 | 61 | 0 | 61 | 84 | 22 | 22 | 61 | 37 | 22 | 86 | 22 | 22 | 86 | 74 |
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.










