
Surf Forecasts:
Rockaway surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 14 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 8s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 14 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, NW swell with 1,284 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 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 2.4m 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 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 14) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 9s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 8ft (2.4m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 8ft (2.4m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rockaway over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, and I've been over the charts. The long and short of it is we've got a frustrating couple of weeks ahead. The swell is inconsistent and the wind is mostly against us, but there's a small window worth chasing.
The first real shot of surf comes through on Monday the 14th. That morning at Rockaway, we've got a 7.9ft NW swell, and the ocean is pumping with a combined energy reading of 1688. The wind is light and cross-onshore, so it'll be okay for the experienced guys. That 9-second period is short though, it's a wind swell, so it's going to be a bit messy and fast. The rest of that day and the 15th look ugly with strong winds messing things up.
If you want my honest opinion, hold out for Tuesday the 22nd of September. The morning at Rockaway is the only real standout. The swell is a clean 2.6ft from the SW with a nice 16-second period, and the wind is a light cross-offshore breeze. That's a recipe for clean, glassy lines. The combined energy is 408, so it's not heavy, but that long period and offshore wind will give you some beautiful, peeling waves. It's the best we're going to see, hands down.
Keep in mind, that 7.9ft swell on the 14th is for the pros. With a short, dumpy 9-second period, it's going to be a washing machine for anyone who isn't an expert. And then we have a real dry spell from the 18th to the 21st, with nothing but tiny, weak waves and onshore wind. The stuff way out at the end of the window, around the 23rd-25th, looks pretty hopeless too. A 0.4m (1.3ft) swell with a 22-second period on the 25th is just a long period slosh.
The water is a balmy 63.1° right now, which is 4.5° above average. That's a real bonus for the time of year, even if the waves aren't playing the game.
So, for the pick of the fortnight, mark your calendar for Tuesday morning, the 22nd of September, at Rockaway. Don't bother with the rest.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 8 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
470 | 411 | 474 | 326 | 365 | 279 | 385 | 452 | 196 | 269 | 699 | 870 | 864 | 988 | 541 | 365 | 456 | 255 | 173 | 147 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 10:56PM2.42m | 11:38AM2.37m | 11:47PM2.31m | 12:10PM2.41m | 00:37AM2.18m | 12:42PM2.40m | 1:30AM2.03m | 1:15PM2.36m | 2:26AM1.90m | 1:50PM2.29m | 3:31AM1.78m | 2:30PM2.21m | 4:50AM1.71m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:56PM0.79m | 5:19AM0.42m | 5:43PM0.66m | 5:55AM0.59m | 6:29PM0.57m | 6:30AM0.78m | 7:16PM0.53m | 7:05AM0.98m | 8:04PM0.54m | 7:41AM1.16m | 8:56PM0.58m | 8:21AM1.32m | 9:54PM0.63m | |||||||
— | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | |
7:25 | — | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:19 | — | — | 7:17 | — | — | 7:15 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 18 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 16 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SW 16 | NW 8 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | NW 9 | SW 17 | SW 17 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 |
470 | 411 | 181 | 326 | 301 | 251 | 203 | 158 | 113 | 87 | 85 | 679 | 107 | 107 | 541 | 365 | 456 | 255 | 173 | 147 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | SSW 8 | SW 16 | SSW 7 | WSW 15 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | NW 10 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 17 | NW 11 |
143 | 55 | 474 | 9 | 72 | 60 | 34 | 29 | 25 | 94 | 92 | 61 | 42 | 23 | 91 | 88 | 63 | 87 | 200 | 30 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 9 | WSW 16 | S 10 | WNW 12 | S 10 | WSW 21 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | SW 18 | S 9 | WNW 15 | SW 12 | WNW 13 | SSW 19 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | SSW 17 |
115 | 76 | 59 | 52 | 8 | 28 | 7 | 42 | 24 | 12 | 10 | 78 | 2 | 42 | 23 | 35 | 74 | 29 | 28 | 59 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 7 | NW 6 | — | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 8 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
44 | 75 | — | 262 | 365 | 279 | 385 | 452 | 196 | 269 | 699 | 870 | 864 | 988 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 84 | 51 | 22 | 84 | 51 | 84 | 86 | 83 | 19 | 84 | 3 | 22 | 84 | 22 | 22 | 61 | 61 | 22 | 84 | 19 |
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.










