Swell Intel

Rockaway Surf Forecast, New York

New York

Long Beach (West End)2-3+ftBreezy Point1-2ftLaurelton Blvd2-3+ft
Rockaway surf spot

Current Conditions

Poor
Wave Height
3-4+ft
chest to head high
Swell Period
7.25s
Wind
11mph
S / Gusts 21mph
Conditions
Poor
Active Swells
Wind Swell
4.4ft @ 7sS

Nearest Webcam

Daily Forecast

3 of 5 days
Tue, Mar 314-5ft
Poor
6am9am12pm3pm
Wed, Apr 14-5ft
Poor - Fair

Pretty quiet out there — 4-5ft and mostly poor - fair with strong SSW wind at 14mph.

6am9am12pm3pm
8s S|8-14mph SSW
Thu, Apr 24-5ft
Fair

Rideable all day with 2-3ft waves on SSE swell at 7s and moderate NE wind around 12mph.

6am9am12pm3pm
7s SSE|11-12mph ENE
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Sat

Forecast Charts

Rockaway Surf Spot Guide

Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Intermediate
Crowd
Heavy
Best Swell
S
Best Wind
N
Season
Fall

Rockaway Beach in Queens, New York is one of the most iconic urban surf destinations on the East Coast, offering long sandy beach breaks that pick up south and southeast swells rolling up from the Atlantic. The spot faces nearly due north along the transect, catching energy that wraps around the barrier island and produces punchy, fast-breaking waves ideal for shortboarding and progression surfing. Fall is prime season when post-hurricane swells and nor'easters push consistent overhead surf through this NYC metro area gem.

Strong currentsRip currentsCrowdsLocalismJellyfishWater quality after heavy rain

Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.

Rockaway Surf Forecast FAQ

What is the current surf forecast for Rockaway?
The current wave height at Rockaway is 3-4+ft with a 7.25s swell period. Wind is S at 11mph. Conditions are rated Poor.
How accurate is the Rockaway surf forecast?
Our Rockaway forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends.
What is the breaking wave height at Rockaway?
The current breaking wave height at Rockaway is 3-4+ft, produced by a 4.4ft S wind swell swell at 7s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
When is the best time to surf Rockaway?
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Rockaway is Wednesday from 5 PM to 8 PM with 4ft waves, a 7.65s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.