
Surf Forecasts:
Rockaway surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 9s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period, S swell with 97 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 3 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 9s period with SE 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 Thursday (Sep 03) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 3s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rockaway in the next 16 days are 1.1m 6s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rockaway over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty, and I gotta be straight with you – the outlook for Rockaway over the next 16 days is a tough one. We’re looking at a long dry spell, with basically nothing worth paddling out for until the very end of the period. The water is sitting at a warm 73°, feeling a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, which is a small silver lining, but the surf just isn’t cooperating.
From Thursday, September 3rd, all the way through to the middle of the month, it’s a frustrating grind. For the first couple of weeks, we’ve got weak, short-period swell – mostly around 1.0ft to 3ft from the SE or E, with periods barely hitting 6 to 8 seconds. The combined energy is pathetic, sitting in the low double digits (like 21, 31, 44). Even when the wind goes offshore or clean, like Friday morning, September 4th, with a nice NW breeze, the swell is just too small to do anything with. It’s a total tease. The wind eventually turns cross or onshore, chopping up any tiny bit of form.
There’s a glimmer on Thursday, September 10th, with a 3ft S swell and a moderate cross-offshore wind, but the energy is still weak (86) and the period is short (7 seconds). It’s still a “poor surf conditions” situation. The whole stretch from September 3rd to September 14th is a washout – more than a week and a half of flat, weak conditions.
The only real standout in this whole 16-day window – and it’s a weak one – comes on Tuesday, September 15th. We get a 2ft SE swell, but the period is still a paltry 6 seconds. The big difference is the wind. The early morning is glassy – zero wind. That’s rare. It’ll be the cleanest the water is all period. The combined energy is a paltry 50 (weak), so don’t expect any power. It’s surfable, but very ordinary. For a wave that’s exposed to the SSE swell, that SE direction is not ideal, but the glassy conditions are the only thing making it worth a look.
If you’re an absolute beginner, the small size is fine, but the lack of push and the short period will make it frustrating. For anyone else, it’s a long paddle for a weak, dumpy wave. The crowds at Rockaway are often thick, so with the only decent window on a Tuesday morning, you might dodge the worst of it, but it’s a gamble.
After that, it’s back to the same story. Winds go onshore again, and the swell stays small, finishing with a weak 2ft on Friday, September 18th. Honestly, this setup looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer, with the occasional cross-onshore breeze and weak, rolling swell. There’s just nothing to get excited about.
-Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Thu night. Warm (max 30°C on Fri afternoon, min 19°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Thu afternoon, fresh winds from the NNW by Fri night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue afternoon, min 18°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 6 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | S 5 | S 5 | S 6 | S 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
35 | 28 | 25 | 24 | 16 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 38 | 40 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 9 | 24 | 7 | 15 | 97 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | on | on | cross |
High Tide | 12:29PM1.58m | 1:07AM1.27m | 1:31PM1.56m | 2:13AM1.24m | 2:38PM1.55m | 3:23AM1.26m | 3:48PM1.57m | 4:33AM1.32m | 4:56PM1.62m | 5:37AM1.42m | 5:56PM1.68m | 6:32AM1.54m | 6:49PM1.73m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:08PM0.24m | 6:59AM0.20m | 8:26PM0.25m | 8:19AM0.23m | 9:39PM0.20m | 9:36AM0.20m | 10:42PM0.12m | 10:42AM0.13m | 11:37PM0.03m | 11:41AM0.05m | 00:28AM-0.05m | 12:36PM-0.01m | 1:16AM-0.11m | ||||||||
6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | |
— | 7:23 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:17 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:15 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | 9 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 |
Temp °C | 23 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 30 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 24 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 22 | 26 | 26 | 21 | 20 | 22 |
Feels °C | 24 | 31 | 31 | 26 | 30 | 21 | 21 | 24 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 18 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 6 | SE 6 | S 4 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | S 6 | E 6 | E 7 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SSW 4 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | E 9 | S 5 | S 6 | ESE 9 |
35 | 28 | 6 | 24 | 16 | 5 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 3 | 40 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 4 | 19 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 15 | 8 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 5 | S 4 | S 4 | ESE 7 | S 5 | S 5 | S 6 | SE 9 | S 6 | ESE 9 | E 6 | E 5 | ESE 11 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | E 9 |
28 | 27 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 22 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SE 8 | E 7 | — | SE 8 | SE 8 | E 6 | SE 9 | — | — | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | — | S 5 | — | E 8 | E 8 | — |
— | — | 25 | 3 | — | 10 | 10 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 2 | S 4 | SSW 4 | — | SSW 4 | N 2 | NNW 2 | — | — | E 6 | — | — | — | S 6 | SSW 4 | SW 4 | SSW 4 | S 5 | — | — | S 6 |
1 | 10 | 14 | — | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 38 | — | — | — | 2 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 24 | — | — | 97 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 24 | 24 | 0 | 50 | 356 | 357 | 403 | 83 | 336 | 1585 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 30 | 52 | 142 | 931 | 20 | 522 | 3341 | 24 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Long Island New York | |||||||||||||||||||||
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 11 km (7 miles) from the city of East New York. If you plan a vacation in Long Island New York, look for hotels and other accommodation in East New York. East New York has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










