Sawtell-The Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty here.

Let’s be real, the first week of this outlook is a tough one to get excited about. There’s a proper lull on the cards, with the first few days only offering up tiny, weak waves. The energy is just plain low, with combined energy values in the double and low triple digits for days (72, 52, 109). You’re looking at ankle to knee-high dribble, and the wind is mostly cross-shore or onshore, which isn't doing those little lines any favours. The only thing worth noting is a glassy, calm patch on Friday morning (August 7th) when the ocean might look inviting, but it’s still just small and confused. This is a solid stretch for doing boat work or fixing your fins, not for paddling out.

The first real sign of life comes early on Monday morning, the 10th of August. The wind swings offshore and the swell starts to build a bit, with the combined energy jumping to 275. It's still pretty weak, but the clean conditions at Sawtell-The Island make it the first session that’s actually worth your time. It’s not going to be a world-beater, but a clean, knee-to-waist high ripple on a longboard with an offshore breeze beats sitting on the beach any day of the week. That Monday afternoon holds on with a light offshore too, but the swell is backing off.

The rest of that week is a mixed bag of small waves and often shabby conditions. The wind keeps jumping around onshore, and the energy remains pretty unimpressive, mostly in the low hundreds. There’s a clean-ish patch on Wednesday morning and a glassy window on Wednesday afternoon, but the waves are still only around 2ft. You’d be working hard for not a lot. It’s all still pretty average.

Now, the forecast starts to get interesting from Friday the 14th. The swell direction swings around to the southeast, and while the wave heights are still moderate, the energy starts to jump up in a big way. By Friday afternoon, the combined energy is reading 619, and Saturday is similar at 414. The wind is still cross-shore, which isn't perfect, but these are the first waves of the run that have some push behind them. Be ready for the crowds at the Island, as it’s a reliable spot and this is the best it’s looked for a while.

The real standout is the following Tuesday, the 18th of August. This is the one you’ve been waiting for. The swell fills in properly, pushing up to 8ft with a long 12-second period, and the combined energy absolutely explodes to 2558. This is strong, powerful groundswell. The morning offshore wind is glassy and clean, which is a dream combination. This is a big day and not one for the faint-hearted. With size like that, it’s only for experienced surfers. Long-period swell like this can straighten out at beach breaks, but at The Island, which is a reef and point set-up, it should hold its shape and offer some proper barrels. This is the pick of the whole outlook, without a doubt. The afternoon still has solid size, but the wind goes cross-onshore, so try and get on it early.

The back half of the outlook, from the 19th onwards, keeps up that energy but the conditions get a bit messier with the wind shifting onshore again. There’s still plenty of size in the water, all around 7ft, but the quality will be harder to find. It’s looking like a period for the experienced crew who know the bank and can handle a bit of chop.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a write-off, but don’t lose hope. The surf comes alive in the second week, with Monday the 17th offering a glimmer, and Tuesday the 18th being your true standout. It’s far out, so treat it as promising but not set in stone. Keep an eye on the charts, and I’ll catch you in the water.

Rusty.

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