Sawtell-The Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s in store for the coming weeks at Sawtell-The Island. It’s a bit of a slow start, but there’s a real standout session brewing for the patient ones.

The first week is pretty average, with a lot of small, weak energy and tricky winds. The combined swell energy is all over the place, with many days barely pushing into the moderate range. Water temp is sitting at 67°, which is about normal for this time of year, nothing to write home about.

We kick off Saturday the 8th with a weak 3ft easterly swell, only 8 seconds of period, and cross-on wind. The energy is a measly 117 – not worth paddling out for. That trend continues through Sunday and Monday with small, junky swell and poor conditions. Monday afternoon the 10th sees a bit of a clean-up with a cross-off wind, but it’s still only 4ft from the ENE at 8 seconds – marginal at best.

Tuesday morning the 11th is the first real glimpse of hope. Glassy conditions, a light offshore breeze from the west, and a clean 2ft wave from the ENE. The period is 9 seconds, so it’s a little weak, but for a few logs this could be a fun, quiet session. The energy is only 156 though, so keep expectations low.

Then we hit a blank patch. From Tuesday afternoon through to the end of the week, the swell just doesn’t line up. It’s small, messy, or the wind is all wrong. The morning of Thursday the 13th brings a jump in size – 7ft from the south with a 9-second period and solid energy (919) – but the wind is cross-off and the report says it’s marginal. That’s a lot of power but not the quality you’d want.

The standout for the whole outlook is Friday morning the 14th. That’s the one. Glassy conditions, a light SSE wind, and a clean 4ft swell from the SSE with a 10-second period. The energy is 277, so it’s got some push. The water is calm, the wind is dead, and the wave comment says “expect good surf conditions.” This is the best on offer – clean, rideable, and uncrowded if you’re early. The swell direction is from the SSE, which is solid for this spot.

The following days are a mixed bag. Saturday morning the 15th has a clean 4ft from the south with cross-off wind, decent enough for a few, but not as good as Friday. Then we get into more rain, light wind, and small, short-period junk through the 16th to the 18th. It’s a bit of a block.

Wednesday the 19th morning shows another clean window with 4ft from the east, 8-second period, and light cross-off wind. The energy is 238 – it’s okay, but not special.

Fast forward to the second week. The real promise is on Sunday morning the 23rd. This is the one that has me talking. A 7ft swell from the ESE with an 11-second period, clean cross-off winds from the south, and a combined energy of 909 – that’s strong. The wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” This is a longer-period groundswell, so it’ll have some punch and better shape, but at 7ft it’s getting into the more serious territory, best for experienced surfers. The swell direction is from the ESE, which works well for The Island.

Be aware, this spot is exposed and fairly consistent, but it can get crowded sometimes. On a good clean day like the 23rd, expect company.

So, the short version: the first week is mostly a write-off. Friday morning the 14th is the early pick – clean, glassy, and fun. But the real standout, the one you want to circle, is Sunday morning the 23rd – bigger, cleaner, and powerful. Everything else is just filler. Keep an eye on that date.

Rusty.

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