Rockaway Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s have a look at what’s on the table for Rockaway. The forecast period runs from now, August 17th, out to September 1st, and I’ll tell you straight up – we’ve got a long, frustrating wait ahead. The first week and a half is mostly a write-off unless you’re desperate for a paddle.

For Monday the 17th, there’s a tiny pulse of swell at 4ft from the SSE on a short 6-second period. The wind is offshore from the NW, so it’ll be clean, but the wave energy is weak at 101. It’s surfable, but it’s lacklustre – one of those days where you might get a few knee-high lumps but nothing to get excited about. That little bump fades fast.

From Tuesday the 18th right through to the 28th, it’s pretty grim. Swell drops to 2ft or smaller, mostly under 3ft, with periods that bounce between 5 and 9 seconds. The energy levels are pathetic, often under 100. We get a mix of onshore and cross-off winds, and while there are a couple of glassy windows – like Wednesday morning the 19th with 1ft and glassy conditions – the swell is just too tiny to bother with. There’s a long stretch here with no real surf on offer. The combined energy hardly ever hits three digits, and when it does, like on the 25th and 26th, the onshore winds blow it out. By Thursday the 27th, the wind is howling at 19 mph from the SE with rain, making it messy.

Then, finally, a glimmer. Saturday, August 29th is the standout. Morning brings a clean 3ft from the SSE, but the period jumps to 12 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy. The combined energy hits 292, which is solid. Wind is light offshore from the north, keeping it clean. Afternoon improves further: 4ft from the SE, still 12 seconds, and the energy rockets to 378. Winds go glassy light from the NNE. This is the one to circle. The long period will make the waves more powerful and better shaped, but at a beach break like Rockaway, it might run a bit straight. Still, clean and punchy. Crowds are often an issue here, so expect company.

The next day, Sunday the 30th, drops off again quickly with cross-shore chop and fading energy.

Monday, September 1st, has some clean offshore wind but only 2ft on a short 7-second period – just ordinary again.

So the best bet is that Saturday the 29th. Everything else before that is a lot of waiting for small, weak, or wind-affected surf. It’s one of those runs where you gotta be patient.

Rusty.

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