Rock Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Rock Island over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, the first few days are a write-off. We’ve got a gap with no real surf to speak of from now until the end of the week. Tuesday the 15th is a total mess with onshore winds and tiny, weak waves – the combined swell energy is barely registering at 41, so don't even bother. Wednesday and Thursday stay tiny with a bit of clean offshore wind, but with swell heights of just 0.7ft to 1ft, there’s nothing to ride. Friday the 18th sees a spike in period, with a 16-second groundswell on the morning, but the swell is still only 1ft with a very strong offshore breeze – hard to paddle into for no reward. The afternoon brings a bit more energy (438), but still only 3ft and messy.

The first real window opens up on Saturday the 19th. We’ve got a solid 6ft swell rolling in from the SSE with a nice 14-second period. The combined energy jumps to 1170, so there’s some real push behind it. Winds are cross-offshore in the morning and clean offshore by the afternoon. The catch? The wave comment says the conditions are marginal, and the rating is low. For a reef break exposed to the south, this is looking more like a session for the experienced crew. The 6ft is on the edge for beginners.

Sunday the 20th is a step up. The swell holds at 5ft to 6ft from the SSE, and by the afternoon the wind goes light offshore from the NNE. The energy is still strong at 947, and the report says to expect very good surf conditions. This is a solid call for Sunday arvo.

Now, Monday the 21st is a standout. Morning sees a 5ft swell from the south, 13-second period, with a light offshore breeze. The combined energy is 1074, and the report calls it excellent for experienced surfers. The water temperature is about average for this time of year. This is the pick of the first week – clean, solid lines with that long-period groundswell wrapping in. Keep in mind the break can get crowded sometimes.

Tuesday the 22nd is another good one. The swell bumps up to 6ft to 6ft from the SSW, still with that 14-second pulse. Energy hits 1299, and again, excellent conditions for experienced surfers. The wind is light to moderate offshore, so it’ll be clean. This is a two-day run of quality waves.

Wednesday the 23rd throws a curveball. The morning sees a massive 12ft swell from the SSW, but with a shorter 11-second period and onshore wind. That’s too big for most and blown out. The afternoon drops back to 5ft but with a strong onshore wind from the SSW – total mess.

After that, the swell fades fast. Thursday the 24th through to Sunday the 27th is a return to small, weak surf. Heights range from 2ft to 3ft with poor conditions and low energy. There’s a tiny pulse on the 27th with a 12-second period, but it’s still only 2ft and cross-offshore wind. Not worth the paddle.

The very end of the window, Monday the 30th of September, offers a glimmer. A 6ft swell from the SSW with a long 15-second period pushes the energy to 1685. The wind is a strong offshore from the NNE, but the comment says it’s strong offshore and clean but hard to paddle into. This one is promising but it’s a week and a half away, so don’t bank on it yet.

So, the two standouts? Monday the 21st is the best of the best – clean, solid 5ft south groundswell with light offshore wind. Sunday afternoon the 20th is a close second for a slightly softer entry into the good stuff.

This is Rusty, signing off.

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