Rockaway Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Rockaway over the next couple of weeks.

First off, I gotta be straight with ya – it’s a rough start. There’s nothing worth paddling out for from now through to the 21st of September. That’s a solid week-long dry spell, with only tiny, weak swell and messy winds. A couple of spots get a one-out-of-ten score, but honestly, the waves are so small and the conditions so ordinary, you’re better off waxing your board at home.

Things finally start to stir on Tuesday the 22nd of September. The swell kicks up, but it’s coming from the ESE with a period of 8 to 9 seconds. The combined energy jumps into the moderate range (202) by Tuesday morning, then hits a strong 626 by the afternoon. But here’s the catch – the wind is a fresh cross-onshore at 19 mph, and the wave comment says "poor surf conditions." The swell is 5 ft, which is starting to get a bit much for beginners, but the wind is trashing it. The setup at Rockaway is an exposed beach, and with this strong onshore wind, it’s looking more like a kite-surfing day than a clean paddle session.

Wednesday the 23rd is the real standout. The swell height hits 6 ft from the east with a period of 10 seconds. Combined energy is up at 862 (strong). That’s some real juice. But again – the wind is a fresh cross-shore from the NE at 19 mph, making it lumpy and messy. It’s not the clean, glassy perfection we dream of, but for the more experienced crew, there’ll be some punchy, powerful waves if you can handle the chop. This is expert-only territory with that size.

Thursday the 24th is the best on offer. The swell drops to a more manageable 3 ft, still from the ESE with a 10-second period. The wind goes glassy in the afternoon – dead calm, 3 mph from the ENE. That means clean, peeling lines. The combined energy is still moderate at 198. This is your window. Rockaway will have some fun, surfable waves, and with glassy conditions, it’ll be a joy. Just be aware, this break can get crowded, so expect some company if the sun’s out.

Friday the 25th morning isn’t bad either – 3 ft, clean with a light cross-offshore breeze, but the energy drops to 147. It’s ordinary but rideable.

After that, it fades out again into the end of September with small, weak swell and messy winds. Nothing worth chasing.

So, to sum it up: The 24th is your best bet – glassy conditions and a solid 3 ft groundswell. Wednesday the 23rd has the biggest, most powerful swell but only for the experienced. The rest of the window is mostly a write-off.

- Rusty

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