Surf Forecasts:
Rockaway surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 5s period, E swell with 47 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Rockaway this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Rockaway in the next 16 days are 1.0m 5s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rockaway over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, same picture just in feet and Fahrenheit.
This whole stretch is flat. Over the 16 days, there's nothing worth hooting about. Just weak, small, and messy. The only times you get anything close to surfable are the morning of Saturday, August 29th, and the morning of Wednesday, September 2nd. Barely.
From Wednesday, August 19th, it’s a 2ft SE swell with a 6-second period and mixed-up cross-off winds. Energy is weak (30). Water temp is a comfortable 74°F, right around normal for the time of year.
Thursday and Friday are the same – heights under 2ft, winds onshore or cross-shore. Saturday the 22nd brings more wind (30 km/h from the east) and a bumpy 3ft swell with a short 4-second period, weak energy (26). This drags on.
Around August 26th, we get a pulse. Wednesday afternoon shows the swell hitting 5ft from the SSE, period still short at 6 seconds, energy moderate (114), but it's cross-onshore and choppy. Not inviting.
The best of the lot is the morning of Saturday, August 29th. Swell is 2ft from the SSE, 8-second period, moderate energy (71). The wind is offshore from the WNW at 20 km/h, so it's clean. Rockaway is exposed, and the swell direction lines up with the optimum (SSE). Crowds are often, but with waves that small, it won't be packed. Still, it's "surfable but very ordinary."
Then on Wednesday, September 2nd, morning brings a light offshore from the NNW, a tiny 1ft swell from the SE with a nice 11-second period. Energy is moderate (83). Again, "surfable but very ordinary."
After that, it's back to poor and messy.
So, if you've got nothing better to do, hit Rockaway on the morning of the 29th or the morning of the 2nd. Bring a log. Otherwise, wait for a better forecast.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 28°C on Wed night, min 22°C on Thu afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Warm (max 28°C on Mon afternoon, min 21°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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 | SSE 6 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | E 5 | ESE 6 | SSE 6 | S 6 | SE 5 | SE 5 | ESE 5 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
21 | 23 | 28 | 26 | 24 | 11 | 11 | 47 | 47 | 19 | 15 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | on | on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 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 | 5:23AM1.17m | 5:44PM1.48m | 6:13AM1.24m | 6:29PM1.54m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 11:22AM0.28m | 00:08AM0.18m | 12:09PM0.22m | 00:51AM0.11m | ||||||||
6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | |
— | 7:47 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:38 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 3 | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 28 | 26 | 22 | 23 | 22 |
Feels °C | 26 | 26 | 27 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 27 | 22 | 26 | 25 | 19 | 20 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 6 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 9 | ESE 6 | SSE 6 | S 6 | SE 5 | SE 5 | ESE 5 | S 5 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 |
21 | 14 | 28 | 26 | 24 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 47 | 18 | 15 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 18 | 18 | 18 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | — | S 4 | — | SE 9 | SE 6 | S 5 | S 5 | ESE 9 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 8 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 6 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | S 6 | S 6 | ESE 6 |
9 | — | 2 | — | 12 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 19 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 5 | — | — | S 5 | S 15 | SE 14 | S 5 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | S 5 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 12 | SE 5 | SSE 5 | SE 6 | SE 5 | ESE 6 | E 4 |
— | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 22 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSE 6 | SSW 4 | — | — | ESE 4 | E 4 | E 5 | NE 4 | — | — | — | — | SSE 5 | — | NNE 3 | — | NNE 2 | ENE 2 | ESE 5 | SSE 6 |
— | 23 | 2 | — | — | 3 | 9 | 47 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 4 | 11 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 39 | 142 | 30 | 117 | 356 | 273 | 831 | 831 | 356 | 522 | 869 | 284 | 83 | 30 | 0 | 20 | 30 | 4 | 839 | 522 | 263 |
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.











