Rock Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, Rusty here. Look, I've given Rock Island a good hard look over the next sixteen days, and I'm not gonna lie to you—it's a tough stretch. The first few weeks of the forecast window are pretty much a write-off, with no real surf to speak of. From the 15th of July right through until the morning of the 24th, we're looking at a long, flat run of tiny, weak waves. You're better off keeping the boards in the car and just enjoying the beach, because the swell just isn't showing up. The water temperature is sitting at a pretty average 77° for the time of year, so that's one thing you don't have to worry about.

The first real glimmer of hope comes on the morning of the 24th of July. It's not exactly a classic, but we finally get some energy in the water. We've got a clean, cross-offshore breeze from the east at 6 mph, which is a big plus. The swell is a tiny 1ft from the SE, but with a period of 18 seconds, it's got that long-period groundswell feel. The combined energy is still weak at 71, so it's really just a "surfable but very ordinary" kind of day. For a spot like Rock Island, which is a fairly consistent reef break, you'd hope for more. It's a beginner-friendly spot, but this is small stuff.

The real standout, and the one you should circle in your calendar, is the morning of the 30th of July. This is the pick of the month. We've got a solid 4ft swell from the SE, with a very long period of 15 seconds, pushing a much stronger combined energy of 740. The wind is a clean offshore from the NE at 15 mph, which should groom the waves nicely. The swell direction is from the SE, and Rock Island's optimum direction is S, so it's a little off the perfect angle, but the quality of the wind and size makes it the best on offer. The afternoon holds up too, with a 4ft swell and 861 in combined energy, though the wind swings a bit cross-offshore. This is proper groundswell energy, and with that long period, it'll be lining up nicely on the reef. Just be aware that it's a "sometimes" crowded spot, so you might have some company. This size is fine for intermediate surfers, but it's not a beginner wave.

The morning of the 28th of July is a distant second option, with glassy conditions and a tiny 1ft SE swell, but the energy is still weak and it's barely worth paddling for.

So, to sum it up: the first nine days are a dead zone. The 30th of July is your best bet, with a solid, clean, offshore swell that's worth the wait. The 24th offers a tiny but clean option if you're desperate.

Rusty.

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