Sawtell-The Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer at Sawtell – The Island.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a big pulse of swell pushing in. Sunday the 19th of July is looking powerful but it’s serious – the swell is hitting 10ft in the morning from the ESE, with a period of 10 seconds, and the combined energy is a massive 2294 (moderate). The wind is a fresh 30 km/h from the south, which is cross-off, so the waves will be clean, but honestly, 10ft is already too big for most, and by the afternoon it jumps to 12ft with energy hitting 4738 (strong). This is expert territory. The water temp is 68°, which is about average for the time of year, so no drama there.

The standout session in the whole 16-day window is hands down Friday the 24th of July in the morning. The swell drops to a solid 7ft from the south, 10-second period, and the energy is 1058 (moderate). There’s a light cross-off breeze from the SSW, barely a whisper, so it’s clean. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers – the swell direction matches the optimum SE, and the break is exposed. It’s not often you get a clean, punchy 7ft wave at The Island with light wind. The crowds here are sometimes, so you might have a few others out, but it’s worth it.

The run-up to that is a bit average. Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st offer surf in the 5ft to 8ft range, but the wind is cross or cross-on, and the quality drops off. Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd are small and weak, with energy under 230, and not worth the paddle.

After that Friday standout, the weekend of the 26th and 27th of July cleans up again. Sunday the 26th morning is glassy with a 3ft SSE swell, 12-second period, and energy 250 (weak). It’s clean, but small. Monday the 27th though is a beauty – all day offshore wind from the WSW, 5ft to 5ft SSE swell, 11-second period, and energy around 500 (moderate). The waves will be clean and lined up nicely.

Tuesday the 28th of July morning brings another solid pulse: 7ft from the south, 11 seconds, energy 1536 (moderate), with a light cross-off breeze. That’s another excellent session for experienced surfers, but it’s a close second to the Friday.

The rest of the outlook is a mix of smaller glassy mornings and choppy afternoons. Wednesday the 29th has a big 7ft swell from the SSE with a very long 16-second period, but the wind is cross, and the energy is 2214 (moderate). That long period will make the waves a bit fat and straight at a beach break, so it’s not the best. By the end of the first week of August, there’s a glassy morning on the 3rd with a 5ft SSE swell, 14-second period, and energy 879 (moderate) – that’s a nice clean option, but by the afternoon the swell jumps to 8ft from the south with 14-second period and energy 4055 (strong), which is only for the brave.

Overall, keep your eyes on Friday the 24th of July morning and Monday the 27th of July – those are your best shots. The rest is a lot of waiting for the right window.

– Rusty

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