Rock Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the table for Rock Island. It’s a quiet start, but there’s a solid pulse of energy building later on that’s got my attention.

Right now, we’re in a flat spell. The first week is mostly tiny, weak swell with poor conditions. The first few days are a write-off – small 1ft to 2ft waves from the south with short periods, and the wind is mostly cross or onshore. You’re not missing anything. Tuesday the 2nd does have a glassy morning, but the swell is too small to bother.

Things start to flicker on Friday the 4th. We get a bit of offshore wind from the NE, but the swell is still only 2ft with a weak 9-second period. The combined energy is only 81 (weak). It’s rideable but very ordinary. The wind turns fresh offshore on Friday afternoon, but the swell stays small. Saturday and Sunday are similar – offshore winds, but the swell is tiny and the wind gets strong, making it hard work to paddle out.

Monday the 8th is the first real hint of life. The morning shows 3ft from the SSE with a 10-second period and fresh offshore wind. The energy jumps to 270 (moderate). It’s still marginal, but cleaner. Worth a look if you’re desperate.

Now, the standout. Wednesday the 9th of September. That’s the one. The morning brings a solid 7ft SE groundswell with a 14-second period, and the combined energy is a very strong 1577. The wind is light cross-off from the ENE, so it’ll be clean. This is a reef break, and that long-period groundswell from the SE will wrap in nicely. The sets will have plenty of power and shape, but at 7ft, it’s for experienced surfers only. The afternoon drops a little to 5ft, still clean, but with more wind. This is your best window.

Thursday the 10th is also a big one. The morning is glassy – zero wind – with a 8ft S swell at 14 seconds. The energy is 2578, which is very strong. That’s going to be a heavy, powerful wave. Again, experts only. The afternoon gets ruined by strong onshore wind and thunderstorms.

Friday the 11th keeps the size up with a 10ft SSE groundswell in the morning, but it’s a bit shorter period at 11 seconds. The wind is gentle offshore, so it’ll be clean, but 10ft is for the brave. The energy is 2894 – absolute beast mode. The afternoon drops to 8ft with cross-off wind.

After that, the swell drops off and the wind turns onshore and messy. From Saturday the 12th onward, it’s mostly poor, with onshore wind and choppy, deteriorating conditions. The second week is a write-off.

So, if you’re a competent surfer, your window is Wednesday the 9th through Friday the 11th. Wednesday morning is the pick of the bunch – solid, clean, and powerful. Thursday morning is glassy but huge. Friday morning is the biggest. Don’t bother before that.

Stay safe out there.
Rusty

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