Crab Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’re looking at Crab Island, and honestly, it’s a tough stretch ahead. The first week and a half is pretty much a write-off for paddle surfing, with a whole lot of wind-ruined, weak, and messy conditions. The best window we’ve got, and it’s a bit of a gamble, is the weekend of the 1st of August.

Starting off now, through the end of July, the wind is relentless. It’s cross-on, onshore, or side-shore from the W, NW, and SW for days on end, with winds between 12 mph and 22 mph. The swell is small—between 1 ft and 3 ft—with poor energy. That’s a no-go. The water temp is 61°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so that’s not the issue.

On the 25th of July, the swell jumps up a bit, with 6 ft to 6 ft WNW swell and energy rising, but the wind is still a mess (15-22 mph cross-on). It’s powerful, but it’s going to be a lumpy, blown-out mess. That’s more of a kite-surfing setup than anything for a paddle board.

We get a bit of a reprieve on the morning of the 30th of July. The wind goes glassy from the ENE at 3 mph, with a 3 ft WNW swell. The energy is weak, but the glassy conditions mean it could be fun for a log or a longboard, if you’re desperate. But be warned, the crowds are often here, so you won’t be alone.

The real standout might be the morning of the 1st of August. We’ve got a 8 ft swell from the WSW, with a period of 9 seconds and very strong energy. That’s a strong pulse. The wind is clean, cross-off from the SE at 15 mph. Now, 8 ft is big, expert territory, especially for a reef break. The period is short, so it’ll be a bit racy and won’t have that long, drawn-out power. But for the advanced crew, this is the best on offer. The swell direction is WSW, which is a bit off the optimum W direction, but it’s close enough to deliver.

After that, the 31st of July afternoon looks funny: a 6 ft SW swell with a period of just 6 seconds and moderate energy. The wind is light from the S, so it stays clean, but that period is so short it’ll be a choppy, weak wave, more for the novelty than quality.

The rest of the forecast into the first week of August falls away again. The 2nd of August has a 5 ft swell, but it’s cross-on from the SW with 15 mph winds, so it’s messy. From the 3rd of August onward, it’s back to tiny, weak, and wind-affected surf, with heights dropping to 1 ft. Not worth getting wet for.

So, to sum it up: the wait is long. The best bet is the morning of the 1st of August for the experienced crew, with a big, clean, but short-period swell. The 30th of July morning is a consolation prize for the patient ones on a longboard. Otherwise, it’s a long, dry spell.

Rusty.

Read more