Rockaway Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.57° N 73.85° W

Rockaway Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 12 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rockaway sea temperature is
23.4°C
2.6° 

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


Rockaway surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s period, ESE swell with 80 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Sunday (Sep 13) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s. 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 0.8m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 20) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (EDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2PM (Sun 13th Sep)2.5ft (0.8m) 6s
Best Surf 2PM (Sun 13th Sep)2.5ft (0.8m) 6s
Most Powerful 8PM (Wed 16th Sep)2.5ft (0.8m) 8s

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


The Lowdown

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

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 23mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Warm (max 27°C on Sun afternoon, min 15°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (calm on Sun morning, fresh winds from the NNW by Sun night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Fri afternoon, min 18°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
0
0
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)
0.3
SE
10
0.8
SSE
5
0.8
SSE
6
0.7
SSE
5
0.3
SE
9
0.4
SE
9
0.4
SE
9
0.6
E
6
0.8
ESE
6
0.7
ESE
8
0.7
ESE
8
0.6
ESE
8
0.7
ESE
8
0.5
ESE
8
0.5
E
7
0.4
ESE
7
0.4
ESE
7
0.4
ESE
7
0.5
ESE
6
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
15
31
43
26
13
28
19
21
51
58
67
51
59
32
26
16
15
15
22
Wind (km/h)
20
SE
15
N
10
WSW
20
WSW
25
NNW
25
N
25
NE
15
E
15
SE
5
SE
5
SSW
15
SSE
10
S
15
SE
20
SSE
20
SW
15
W
20
N
40
NE
Wind State
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
on
on
cross
on
cross-on
on
on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
High Tide
9:04PM1.62m
9:33AM1.69m
9:47PM1.53m
10:17AM1.64m
10:32PM1.41m
11:01AM1.56m
11:20PM1.31m
11:47AM1.49m
00:09AM1.22m
12:35PM1.42m
1:01AM1.15m
1:25PM1.37m
1:55AM1.10m
Low Tide
3:24AM-0.08m
3:48PM-0.01m
4:01AM-0.01m
4:30PM0.07m
4:38AM0.09m
5:13PM0.16m
5:14AM0.20m
5:58PM0.25m
5:53AM0.30m
6:50PM0.34m
6:41AM0.38m
7:55PM0.38m
rain showers
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
heavy rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:33
6:33
6:35
6:35
6:37
6:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:09
7:07
7:06
7:05
7:02
7:00
7:00
 mm
4
19
13
Temp °C
22
22
27
27
21
24
22
17
19
18
19
20
20
21
21
20
24
25
20
Feels °C
18
26
28
27
17
18
15
15
18
16
19
19
18
19
19
17
25
25
17
  • 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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