Rockaway Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty, and I’ve gotta level with you about Rockaway. It’s a stretch of beach and reef, exposed to the NW, and it’s got some consistent potential in the longer run, but for the next ten days or so, it’s gonna be a real struggle. The wind is pretty much stuck in a cross-onshore pattern, which is gonna leave things choppy and messy.

Right now, from August 15th through to August 24th, the surf is mostly small and pretty average. You’ll see occasional pulses, like on the 16th there is a 2ft NW swell in the morning, but the wind is already cross-onshore, so it’s not gonna be clean. The water temp is sitting at 62°F which is much warmer than normal for this time of year – over three and a half degrees above average, so that's a rare treat for your toes.

The real story is in the last few days of August. The 27th of August, Thursday morning, we’re looking at a solid 8ft NW swell with a period of 9 seconds. The wind is light and cross-onshore, so it’ll have some texture, but the wave energy is very strong (1095) – that’s proper grunt. That’s only for the experts though; anything over 8ft is no place for beginners. The following morning, the 28th, holds similar size at 8ft from the NW with a 10-second period, and again light winds, giving you the best chance at something overhead and punchy. The energy is still very strong (1336). If you’re an experienced surfer, that Friday morning is the clear standout of the whole 16 days.

Given the persistent cross-onshore wind, it’s worth saying that on the bigger days at a beach and reef setup like this, it might actually look more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, especially when it gets choppy. Crowds are sometimes an issue at Rockaway, so factor that in.

So, to sum it up: don’t wet your suit for anything before the 25th. The last few days of August – specifically the 27th and 28th mornings – are your best bet, but bring your big wave board and your best timing.

Rusty.

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