Surf Forecasts:
Rockaway surf forecast from 5 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 17s period, SW swell with 476 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s 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 07) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 7s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rockaway in the next 16 days are 0.9m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 12s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rockaway over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks. Rusty here. Let’s break it down.
The first week and a half is pretty flat and ugly. We’ve got a long stretch of poor surf, with only a couple of windows that might be worth a paddle. Water temp is about 62°F, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year—nothing crazy, just a little extra warmth.
The best option is Rockaway, a beach and reef spot that’s consistent and exposed to the swell. The standout is Monday, September 7th in the morning. We’ve got a 4ft NW swell with a 7-second period, but the wind is dead calm—glassy, clean. The combined wave energy is moderate (143). It’s not big, but it’ll be smooth and surfable. That’s the one to target. Crowds are possible at Rockaway, so keep your head on a swivel.
Another good window is Tuesday, September 8th in the morning. Glassy again, with a light WSW breeze, 4ft NW swell, 8-second period, and moderate energy (239). This one’s labeled “expect good surf conditions.” The morning is the only time to be there.
After that, the forecast goes quiet. The swell sticks around, but the wind is cross-onshore or onshore, making a mess of everything. The second week brings a longer-period SW groundswell from September 9th through the 12th, but the wind is cross-onshore, so it’s choppy. The morning of September 19th has glassy conditions and a 2ft SW groundswell (18-second period, very long), but it’s a long way out and the swell is tiny. Promising, but not a sure thing.
The bigger stuff shows up later in the second week: September 17th afternoon has 8ft NW swell, but it’s onshore and messy—only for experts. The energy is strong (688), but the conditions are poor. The September 20th morning looks clean with a cross-offshore wind, 2ft SW groundswell (18 seconds), and strong energy (633). Again, that’s a long-range call, so don’t set your watch by it.
Bottom line: the first week has two glassy mornings worth chasing. The second week has some longer-period swells, but the wind usually kills it. If you’re into kiting, there’s plenty of wind and swell to go around, but for paddle surfing, it’s a rough stretch.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Wed afternoon, min 16°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 | NW 8 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 235 | 166 | 99 | 97 | 148 | 248 | 143 | 93 | 126 | 159 | 113 | 133 | 133 | 284 | 64 | 246 | 476 | 348 | 411 | 326 | 255 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:56PM2.36m | 8:36AM1.87m | 7:08PM2.42m | 9:21AM1.98m | 8:13PM2.47m | 9:58AM2.10m | 9:11PM2.50m | 10:33AM2.21m | 10:05PM2.48m | 11:06AM2.30m | 10:56PM2.42m | 11:38AM2.37m | 11:47PM2.31m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:47AM1.48m | 1:35AM0.32m | 1:10PM1.42m | 2:31AM0.23m | 2:18PM1.29m | 3:19AM0.19m | 3:16PM1.13m | 4:02AM0.21m | 4:07PM0.95m | 4:42AM0.28m | 4:56PM0.79m | 5:19AM0.42m | 5:43PM0.66m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — |
 | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:27 | — | — | 7:25 | — | — | 7:23 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 23 | 21 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 16 |
Feels °C | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 10 | NW 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 13 | NW 7 | S 13 | NW 7 | NW 8 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | NW 8 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 9 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 |
| kJ | 235 | 166 | 398 | 449 | 272 | 280 | 143 | 276 | 126 | 159 | 350 | 295 | 257 | 247 | 64 | 508 | 419 | 203 | 411 | 326 | 255 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | NW 9 | NW 9 | S 14 | SSW 14 | S 13 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 12 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | SW 19 | S 10 | WNW 12 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 8 | SSW 7 | NW 10 |
| kJ | 425 | 419 | 99 | 97 | 236 | 268 | 277 | 123 | 377 | 356 | 113 | 67 | 57 | 284 | 92 | 123 | 476 | 348 | 94 | 48 | 76 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 14 | S 14 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SSW 14 | SSE 10 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 19 | SW 19 | WNW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 18 | WNW 11 | NW 11 | WNW 10 | NW 10 | SSW 7 |
| kJ | 123 | 115 | 153 | 181 | 57 | 25 | 133 | 34 | 85 | 80 | 109 | 133 | 133 | 15 | 129 | 246 | 115 | 117 | 68 | 100 | 18 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 4 | NW 5 | WNW 6 | NW 6 | NW 7 | — | NW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 9 | — | — | NW 8 | NW 4 | NW 4 | WNW 4 | — |
| kJ | — | 8 | 60 | 57 | 148 | 248 | — | 93 | — | — | — | — | — | 132 | — | — | 28 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 22 | 429 | 51 | 22 | 86 | 58 | 0 | 274 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 12 | 84 | 0 | 22 | 84 | 12 | 22 | 84 | 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.
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