Rock Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at Rock Island. It’s a reef break, and it’s mostly a beginner-friendly spot. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing wild there.

Right now, we’re in a flat spell. The first few days are pretty much a write-off. Thursday the 30th and Friday the 31st of July have tiny, weak swell, poor quality, and onshore winds – not worth paddling out for. Saturday the 1st of August is even smaller, with a glassy morning but barely a ripple. That run of nothing lasts until Sunday morning the 2nd, when we finally see a little pulse of 1 ft from the SSE with a very long 16-second period, and glassy conditions. Energy is still low (79), but it’s a start.

The real action kicks off Sunday afternoon and builds into the next week. By Monday the 3rd of August, the swell picks up to 3 ft–4 ft from the SE, with a very long 17–18 second period, and cross-off winds keep things clean. Wave energy jumps into the moderate range (494–785). It’s still marginal, but there’s some shape.

Now, the standout window is Tuesday the 4th through to Thursday the 6th of August. Tuesday morning sees 6 ft SE swell, still with a long period, and clean cross-off winds. By Tuesday afternoon, it’s pumping: 7 ft from the SE, 17 seconds, and light cross-off breeze – energy is strong at 2653. That’s excellent for experienced surfers, but it’s getting too big for beginners. Wednesday the 5th is the biggest day: 10 ft from the SSE, 17 seconds, with a gentle offshore in the morning – energy is a massive 4998. That’s very strong, expert-only territory. The afternoon turns a bit cross-shore, but still big. Thursday the 6th holds at 10 ft from the S, 16 seconds, with clean cross-off winds in the morning, but the afternoon swings onshore.

After that, the swell slowly drops. Friday the 7th of August is still solid at 8 ft from the SSW, 15 seconds, clean in the morning, but goes onshore later. Saturday the 8th has a smaller 4 ft from the SW, but a nice offshore wind in the afternoon brings clean conditions. Sunday the 9th has a moderate offshore wind (25 km/h) with 3 ft from the S, 12 seconds – clean but a bit blown out.

The second week starts to fade. Monday the 10th through Wednesday the 12th of August, the swell drops to 2 ft and below, with fresh offshore winds but very little energy. By Thursday the 13th and Friday the 14th, it’s back to small, weak surf, barely surfable.

So, the best on offer is the window from Tuesday the 4th to Thursday the 6th of August. For experienced surfers, Wednesday morning the 5th is the absolute peak – 10 ft SSE swell, 17 seconds, gentle offshore, clean and powerful. Just be aware, with a reef break and that size, it’s not for the faint-hearted. The spot is fairly consistent, and crowds can show up sometimes, so expect company on the good days.

Rusty.

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