Rockaway Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. It’s Rusty here, and I’ve been staring at the charts for the next couple of weeks, and honestly, it’s a bit of a rough stretch for us at Rockaway. We’ve got a solid 16-day window to look at, but the surf is going to be small and pretty ordinary for most of it. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a couple of moments where it might be worth a paddle, but let’s not kid ourselves – this isn’t going to be a period of glory.

The main issue is the swell direction. We need something from the SSE to really get things going, but the energy we’re seeing is weak and the periods are short, mostly in that 5-7 second range. That means the waves are going to be a bit crumbly and disorganized, not the clean lines we dream about. The wind is also a constant factor, often onshore or cross-onshore, which is going to chop things up.

The water temp is sitting at 76°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. That’s always a nice little bonus, even if the surf isn't cooperating.

Let’s run through the week. The next few days, from Tuesday through Thursday, are looking poor. We’ve got some small SSE swell, but it’s mixed with onshore winds, making it a messy, choppy affair. You’ll see some knee-high lumps, but it’s not going to be worth the paddle out. The combined energy is weak, with values in the 40s and 80s – just not enough push.

Then we get to Friday morning, the 7th. Things get a little cleaner. The wind swings around to a light cross-offshore, and the ocean looks a bit more organized. The swell is still small, around 3ft, but it’s surfable. It’s not going to be epic, but for a quick session, it might be your best bet for the next few days. Energy is still low though, only 51.

The weekend is a mixed bag. Saturday has slightly more energy, with the combined swell energy hitting 119 on the morning, but the wind is cross-shore, which will put a bit of a chop on the face. Sunday morning looks clean again, but the swell drops right off to 2ft. It’s a tough call, but if you’re desperate, the early sessions are the way to go. Nothing over waist-high, really.

The start of the next week, the 11th and 12th, is more of the same. Small surf, cross-offshore winds, and a few periods of clean conditions, but the energy just isn't there. A few of those afternoons might be fun if you’ve got a longboard, but you’re not going to be getting barrelled.

The one glimmer in this whole period is the morning of Saturday, the 15th. The wind is forecast to be completely calm, flat out glassy. The swell is still small, only 3ft, but the period bumps up to 8 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to 109. That’s the best we’re going to see. It won't be big, but with clean conditions and a little more push, it could actually be a fun morning. The direction is SSE, which is about as good as it gets for us here. It’s still small, but it's the standout of the whole window.

After that, it’s a slow fade. The swell drops right off into the following week, and we’re looking at ankle-biters for the most part. The energy levels are in the teens and twenties, really scraping the bottom of the barrel. It’s a pretty bleak picture for the second week, to be honest.

So, here’s the deal. If you want to get wet, your best window is Saturday morning, the 15th. It’s not a day for the record books, but it’s the cleanest and most promising surf we’re going to see. The rest of the period is a waiting game. Keep an eye on the charts, but don’t hold your breath. This is one of those stretches where you might be better off tinkering with your quiver or just enjoying the beach without a board. The ocean is always there, but it’s not always giving.

Stay salty,
Rusty

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