Rockaway Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.57° N 73.85° W

Rockaway Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 24 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rockaway sea temperature is
23.0°C
0.8° 

Rockaway surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Rockaway surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period, SSE swell with 123 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 5s. 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 0.9m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 2s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (EDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Fri 28th Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 9s
Best Surf 5AM (Fri 28th Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 9s
Most Powerful 5PM (Thu 27th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 8s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rockaway over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on the menu for our stretch of coastline. I’ve got to level with you—this is going to be a tough stretch. We’re looking at a long, dry spell before anything even remotely worth paddling out for shows up.

For the next week and a half, it’s bleak. The first few days are basically a write-off. Late August through the start of September is serving up tiny, weak swells with periods that are all over the place, plus winds that are mostly cross-off or cross-on, but the real killer is the wave energy. We’re talking a combined energy of all swells directed here in the low double-digits to barely cracking 100—that’s weak, anemic stuff. The water is sitting at 73°F, which is about average for this time of year, so don’t blame the temp for the lack of waves.

There’s a gap of nearly 10 days with nothing worth a mention. A few mornings on the 28th and 29th of August show “clean” conditions with a light breeze, but the swell is a pathetic 2ft to 2ft with short, choppy periods. It’s just ankle-slappers. Not worth waxing the board up for.

Now, the big news—and it’s the only news—comes around the 3rd and 4th of September. We finally get a pulse of energy. The swell pops up to 5ft from the East to East-Southeast, with moderate energy levels hitting the 392 to 468 range. That's real wave energy, finally. The period is short, around 7 to 8 seconds, so it’ll be a bit of a bumpy, sectiony beast. The winds are blowing cross-off from the North, and later from the Northeast, and the wave comment is “clean” through those mornings and afternoons. It’s not perfect, but it’s the first surfable height we’ve seen all forecast.

The standout here is Rockaway on Thursday, September 3rd, and Friday, September 4th. Thursday morning and afternoon deliver 5ft from the East, with that clean, cross-off wind. The energy is substantial (392 and 468), and while the short period means it’ll be a little walled-up, the wind will keep the face tidy. Friday morning sees 5ft again, with even more energy (599) and a brisk 19 mph North wind holding it offshore. This is for the more experienced crowd—that 5ft plus the short period can pack a punch.

From the 6th of September onwards, things drop back down to ordinary conditions. There’s a lingering 3ft swell on Sunday the 6th with a light offshore wind from the Northwest, which could be a fun little morning session for the patient, but it’s not the highlight.

So, there it is. A whole lot of nothing, then a brief window of proper surf. Get your 3rd and 4th of September marked for a dawn patrol at Rockaway. Be ready for a punchy, short-period East swell with clean, offshores. After that, it’s back to waiting.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Warm (max 26°C on Mon afternoon, min 19°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 27°C on Fri afternoon, min 20°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Mon
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
SE
12
0.3
SE
11
0.3
SE
11
0.3
SE
11
0.3
SE
11
0.3
SE
9
0.4
SE
8
0.6
ESE
9
0.7
ESE
8
0.9
SSE
8
0.6
SE
9
0.5
SE
8
0.9
S
7
0.7
SSE
6
0.6
SSE
6
0.4
SE
8
0.4
SE
8
0.4
SE
8
0.4
SE
8
1
S
5
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
21
19
18
18
18
14
25
53
59
123
50
35
70
40
30
21
23
24
24
51
Wind (km/h)
25
W
20
WNW
20
W
15
W
20
NW
10
W
25
S
15
SSW
25
S
25
SSE
15
SW
10
WSW
5
SW
20
N
10
NNE
15
S
15
SW
15
SSW
35
S
25
SW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
5:44PM1.48m
6:13AM1.24m
6:29PM1.54m
6:56AM1.33m
7:09PM1.59m
7:34AM1.41m
7:46PM1.62m
8:10AM1.47m
8:22PM1.62m
8:45AM1.52m
8:58PM1.59m
9:20AM1.57m
9:36PM1.54m
Low Tide
00:08AM0.18m
12:09PM0.22m
00:51AM0.11m
12:55PM0.16m
1:31AM0.04m
1:39PM0.12m
2:10AM-0.01m
2:22PM0.08m
2:47AM-0.03m
3:04PM0.06m
3:22AM-0.04m
3:44PM0.06m
3:56AM-0.03m
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:15
6:16
6:16
6:18
6:18
6:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:39
7:38
7:37
7:36
7:34
7:32
7:30
 mm
3
4
9
4
3
1
Temp °C
26
25
22
25
24
22
25
24
25
25
25
23
27
26
22
26
25
24
26
25
Feels °C
25
21
19
23
21
22
24
21
24
23
25
25
29
25
20
23
22
23
23
22
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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.

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