Surf Forecasts:
Rockaway surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 8s period, NW swell with 664 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s 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 Monday (Aug 17) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 6s. 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 15s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rockaway over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. This is Rusty, and I’m looking at what we’ve got for Rockaway over the next couple of weeks. The honest truth is, I’m not seeing anything that’ll have you scrambling for your wetsuit. There’s really no stretch of clean, well-shaped surf here that I’d call a standout. The whole 16-day window is a bit of a grind.
The first recommendation shows up on Monday the 17th of August, with a morning session on offer. After that, the next week or so is a long, dusty run of poor to marginal conditions. The consistent cross-on wind just won’t let up, and the wave faces are mostly chopped up or messy. You’ll get a little bump around the 19th and 20th, but it’s all cross-on wind. By the 24th and 25th, there’s a glimmer of a long-period groundswell from the southwest, but the energy is weak to moderate.
Honestly, the only time we see a bit of promise is right at the tail end. On Monday the 31st of August and Tuesday the 1st of September, we get a spike in swell size and energy. Monday morning is looking at a head-high, 6 ft northwest swell, with a very moderate combined energy reading of 638. Problem is, it’s still coming in with a cross-on breeze. Tuesday the 1st of September keeps the 5 ft height from the west-northwest, but at least the wind swings to a cross-shore direction, which is the best we’re going to get. The combined energy reading is 478, moderate. That Tuesday morning is the only shot that looks half-decent for a paddle. Its cleanest moment, but it’s still a fight to get a decent one.
Keep your expectations low, and don’t plan a road trip for this one. The setup here for a lot of this period looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, thanks to the persistent onshore component.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 15 | SW 15 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 309 | 309 | 56 | 78 | 213 | 183 | 200 | 223 | 248 | 385 | 273 | 216 | 394 | 326 | 503 | 429 | 264 | 248 | 300 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 2:37AM1.94m | 2:50PM2.31m | 3:44AM1.77m | 3:31PM2.26m | 5:05AM1.66m | 4:17PM2.20m | 6:40AM1.64m | 5:12PM2.16m | 8:03AM1.68m | 6:13PM2.16m | 9:01AM1.75m | 7:11PM2.19m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:38PM0.76m | 8:24AM0.90m | 9:37PM0.74m | 9:03AM1.11m | 10:41PM0.73m | 9:49AM1.29m | 11:49PM0.71m | 10:48AM1.42m | 00:55AM0.66m | 12:02PM1.49m | 1:54AM0.59m | 1:13PM1.49m | 2:43AM0.50m | ||||||
 |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — |
 | 8:00 | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:52 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | WNW 8 | SSW 16 | NW 7 | NW 7 | SSW 15 | NW 8 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 8 | SSW 13 | WNW 8 |
| kJ | 309 | 309 | 272 | 214 | 213 | 326 | 200 | 223 | 283 | 385 | 196 | 148 | 183 | 123 | 68 | 68 | 264 | 66 | 300 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 6 | NW 7 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SSW 15 | WNW 16 | SW 14 | SSW 15 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 11 | WNW 11 | SW 18 | WSW 18 | SSW 13 | SW 17 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 33 | 67 | 44 | 26 | 279 | 24 | 189 | 272 | 119 | 128 | 170 | 180 | 63 | 41 | 49 | 30 | 68 | 71 | 37 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 18 | W 13 | S 10 | WNW 14 | W 13 | SW 22 | SW 15 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 20 | SW 18 | S 10 | W 13 | WSW 18 | W 12 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 29 | 26 | 9 | 31 | 14 | 2 | 68 | 85 | 18 | 229 | 58 | 15 | 15 | 50 | 2 | 14 | 30 | 12 | 48 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | — | WNW 7 | — | — | NW 8 | — | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | — | NW 8 | — |
| kJ | — | — | 56 | 78 | — | 183 | — | — | 248 | — | 273 | 216 | 394 | 326 | 503 | 429 | — | 248 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 22 | 22 | 410 | 22 | 22 | 84 | 22 | 22 | 84 | 22 | 22 | 84 | 22 | 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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