Best Rockaway Beach surf window today: tide and conditions
Rockaway Beach's best surf window today is 2:30 PM-3:30 PM, with falling tide, 3 mph wind, and 5.9 ft swell; tide in range, cross-shore winds, good swell angle. Rockaway Beach is the top pick at 3.4 ft.
Live surf planning
Plan around the live conditions
Best time to surf Rockaway Beach this week
September rates 70/100 for Rockaway Beach. 1 of 1 local beaches are in peak season; November is the historical peak if this week's surf report looks marginal.
Match the surf report
Now: rising tide, 9 mph wind, and 4 ft swell. Confirm them in the live surf report first.
Seasonal pattern in September
September
1 of 1 beaches are in peak season right now. Expect 4-8 ft waves and 56°F water. Peak month: November.
Surf Score by Month
Score reflects overall surf quality each month — combining peak season activity, water temperature, and crowd levels.
Monthly Breakdown
January
Big winter storms, raw power
February
Consistent large swells
March
Late winter swells fading
April
Spring transitions
May
Smaller swells, improving weather
June
Glassy mornings, summer starting
July
Small clean summer surf
August
Warmest water, small swells
September
PeakFall swell season begins, offshore winds
October
PeakPeak fall season, consistent swells
November
PeakBig swells return, heavy rubber
December
Winter storms, big waves
Dawn Patrol vs Afternoon Sessions
Dawn Patrol
- Typically glassier conditions before onshore winds build
- Smaller crowds, especially on weekdays
- Water temps at their coolest — plan your wetsuit for the low end (48°F in winter)
- Best for beach breaks and exposed reef setups in Rockaway Beach
Afternoon Sessions
- Onshore winds can create chop, but swell is often more consistent
- Higher crowds on popular beaches, especially weekends
- Water warms through the day — upper end (58°F in summer)
- Sunset sessions can be magic when winds die down
