Sawtell-The Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty. Let’s break down the next couple of weeks at the local break. The water’s about normal for this time of year, so nothing weird there – just get your wettie sorted and you’re good.

The opening days are flat and messy. Wednesday the 12th is a no-go, and Thursday the 13th only offers a short-period south pulse around 5ft, but it’s lumpy and gets chopped by the afternoon. Friday the 14th is the first real highlight – a solid 6ft of south swell with a bit more grunt in the water (728 on the energy scale), and the cross-off wind keeps it tidy through the morning. That’s your best bet for the early stretch, but it’s not the big one.

The weekend is a bit of a dud. Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th have size but the period tanks to 6–7 seconds, so it’s just bumpy and lacking push. Sunday afternoon drops right off to about 1ft. It’s frustrating, and by Monday the 17th the swell builds back but the wind turns onshore and ruins it. Tuesday the 18th has 7ft of short-period east-southeast, but again, wind ruining the party.

Now, Wednesday the 19th morning has a big 7ft pulse, but it’s messy with onshore wind. Skip it. Thursday the 20th morning is where I’d start paying attention – 7ft from the east, clean cross-off wind, and the energy jumps to 780. That’s a proper session.

But the real standout is Saturday the 22nd. Friday the 21st has a glassy 5ft morning, but Saturday morning is the one. The swell bumps to 6ft, the period stretches to 11 seconds, and the wind drops to glassy – dead flat, no wind at all. That’s about as perfect as it gets. The energy is solid at 795, and the swell is coming from the right direction for the island. Crowds? On a Saturday, you’ll have mates out, but it’s worth it.

Sunday the 23rd is a step down but still rideable. And there’s another clean run late in the window – Monday the 24th afternoon is all glass with a 5ft east-northeast, and Wednesday the 26th has a clean 4ft morning with no wind. The very last day, Thursday the 27th, sees a big 8ft south pulse but it’s cross-onshore and messy – that one’s for the experts only, and honestly, the wind might make it a kite day.

This spot – Sawtell-The Island – is consistent and advanced, so don’t bring the beginners. It’s exposed, and the optimum swell direction is southeast, which those Saturday and Monday sessions are using well. With the longer periods, the island handles it much better than the open beach would.

So, if you’re picking your moment: Friday the 20th morning is solid, but Saturday the 22nd morning is your money session. Don’t sleep on it.

Rusty.

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