Rockaway Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.57° N 73.85° W

Rockaway Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 17 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rockaway sea temperature is
24.0° C
1.4° 

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


Rockaway surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, SSE swell with 122 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s period with SSE 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 (Aug 17) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 6s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Rockaway in the next 16 days are 1.4m 6s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (EDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11AM (Mon 17th Aug)4ft (1.2m) 6s
Best Surf11AM (Mon 17th Aug)4ft (1.2m) 6s
Most Powerful 8AM (Mon 17th Aug)4.5ft (1.4m) 6s

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


The Lowdown

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.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Warm (max 29°C on Mon afternoon, min 23°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 28°C on Thu afternoon, min 21°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
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)
1.2
SSE
6
1
SSE
6
0.8
SSE
7
0.7
SE
7
0.6
SSE
7
0.5
SSE
7
0.6
SSE
6
0.7
SSE
6
0.3
SE
9
0.4
SE
8
0.4
SE
8
0.4
SE
8
0.4
SE
9
0.4
SE
8
0.4
SE
8
0.4
SE
8
0.4
SE
8
0.4
SE
8
0.2
ESE
7
0.2
ESE
7
0.3
SE
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
110
82
57
47
37
28
28
35
13
18
17
24
19
18
17
17
16
15
6
5
22
Wind (km/h)
15
NW
10
W
10
NE
5
NNW
10
SSW
10
NNW
5
SW
20
S
15
WSW
10
WSW
20
S
20
NNE
10
NNE
15
SSW
5
SW
15
ESE
10
E
5
WSW
10
WSW
15
SSE
25
NW
Wind State
off
cross-off
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
off
High Tide
11:43AM1.56m
11:55PM1.37m
12:30PM1.50m
00:44AM1.26m
1:18PM1.45m
1:34AM1.18m
2:06PM1.40m
2:27AM1.12m
2:58PM1.38m
3:25AM1.09m
3:55PM1.38m
4:26AM1.11m
4:51PM1.42m
Low Tide
5:46PM0.16m
5:57AM0.13m
6:36PM0.26m
6:41AM0.23m
7:35PM0.33m
7:34AM0.32m
8:39PM0.36m
8:36AM0.37m
9:41PM0.35m
9:37AM0.37m
10:35PM0.31m
10:32AM0.33m
11:23PM0.25m
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
thunderstorm
cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:07
6:07
6:09
6:09
6:11
6:11
6:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:50
7:49
7:47
7:45
7:45
7:43
7:42
 mm
6
1
1
1
Temp °C
24
29
29
25
28
28
26
28
28
27
28
28
25
26
23
23
22
22
24
27
27
Feels °C
27
31
32
29
28
28
26
27
29
27
28
30
23
25
23
24
23
24
25
26
23
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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