Rockaway Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what Rockaway’s got cooking over the next couple of weeks. To be straight with you, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. The first few days are looking pretty scrappy with onshore winds messing things up, but there is a window or two that might just be worth paddling out for. Hang tight.

The pattern kicks off with some small, weak swell and cross to cross-onshore breezes, so the ocean’s got a bit of chop on it. Early on, the conditions are just not doing us any favours. We’re looking at a 4ft NW swell on Sunday 5 July morning, but it’s coupled with a gentle cross-shore wind and the combined energy is low at 250 – that’s weak. It’s not going to be pretty. That afternoon the swell drops off to 2ft from the SW with a very long period of 18 seconds, but the wind turns cross-onshore and it’s choppy. Not your day. Monday 6 July is more of the same: marginal at best, with a gentle cross-onshore breeze and a 3ft SW groundswell (16-second period) in the morning.

The real turning point doesn’t come until Friday 10 July. That morning we’ve got an 8ft NW swell rolling in with a 9-second period, and for the first time the wind is light and cross-shore. The combined energy is strong at 1954. That’s proper juice. The crowd can be around at Rockaway, but with that size and clean-ish conditions, it might be worth jostling for a few. Just a heads up – at over 8ft, this is one for the experienced crew only; beginners, give this one a miss.

After Friday, things get a bit messy again with onshore winds returning and the swell dropping. Saturday 11 July hangs on with a 6-7ft WNW swell in the morning, but it’s cross-shore wind and moderate energy (547). Not a total washout but not a standout either. By Sunday 12 July, the swell is back to 5ft from the NW but with a short 7-second period and light cross-onshore winds, it’s pretty average.

The second week has a few moments worth mentioning, though the confidence is lower. Wednesday 15 July morning brings a 6ft NW swell with a light cross-shore breeze and moderate energy (563). It’s not huge, but it’s clean-ish. Then on Thursday 16 July, we get a weird one: a 2-3ft W swell with a super long 19-second period. The combined energy is moderate at 833. That groundswell will peel nicely – this is a reef and beach setup, so the long period should wrap in well, but it’s small. Light offshore or glassy conditions would make it a gem, but we’ve got light cross-shore winds. Keep an eye on it.

Friday 17 July sees a return of 6ft NW swell with light cross-onshore winds and strong energy (1009). It’s borderline clean, but the cross-onshore element will put a bit of bump on the face. Not the best, but for a work-from-home Friday, you could do worse.

The last few days of the forecast, up to Monday 20 July, show consistent 6-8ft NW and WNW swells, but the wind stays cross to cross-onshore and the combined energy is strong to very strong (over 1000). With that size and the wind not fully offshore, the beach breaks might be a bit lumpy. For the experts, there’s power there – but don’t expect perfection.

So, if I’m picking the standout, it’s Friday 10 July morning. That 8ft NW swell with light cross-shore wind and strong energy is the best on offer. For something a bit different, Thursday 16 July has that long-period W groundswell that could surprise on the right bank.

Overall, this stretch is a grind with a few decent pulses. It’s not a total blank, but you’ll have to pick your windows. Keep the faith.

- Rusty

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