Sawtell-The Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a pretty solid run of surf coming up for The Island at Sawtell, but it’s not all smooth sailing. The first few days are big and gnarly, then it drops right off before a second pulse of groundswell arrives in the second week.

It kicks off Wednesday the 8th of July with a solid pulse of SSE swell. Wednesday morning you’re looking at a chunky 11.5 ft from the SSE, period at 11 seconds – that’s proper groundswell. Combined wave energy is a massive 4393, which is strong to very strong, so this is serious. It’s too big for anyone but advanced surfers. Wind is a cross-off southerly at 12 mph, so it’ll be clean, but you need to know what you’re doing. Water temp is 67.3°, which is about average for the time of year – nothing weird there. By Wednesday afternoon the swell drops to 8.2 ft, still SSE, still with 11-second period, but the tide starts to mess with it and the energy is still heavy at 3815. Thursday the 9th is a step down to 6.9 ft to 7.5 ft, still SSE, period dropping to 10 seconds. Wind stays cross-off, but the surf is marginal and questionable with the tides. Not the best.

Friday the 10th of July is where it starts to look good. Morning sees 5.9 ft from the SE, period at 10 seconds, and wind is a light cross-off at 6 mph – nice and clean. Energy drops to 675, moderate now. The scores say very good surf conditions, and I’d back that. The afternoon bumps up to 6.9 ft from the SSE, 11-second period, still with light wind – that’s excellent for experienced surfers, but again, the size is on the limit. Saturday the 11th of July morning is the standout: glassy conditions, wind from the NW at just 3 mph, and 3.9 ft of SE swell with a 9-second period. Energy is 464, moderate. It’s clean, glassy, and small enough for a fun session. The Island (Sawtell) at its best. Crowds can show up sometimes, so get in early. Saturday afternoon turns messy with cross-on NE wind and poor conditions – avoid it.

Sunday the 12th through to Tuesday the 14th sees the swell fade fast. Sunday morning is 3.3 ft ESE, clean with a west wind, but the energy is low at 204. By Tuesday it’s tiny – 1.6 ft and under – and the energy is below 50. Not worth paddling out. There’s a long gap here with no decent surf for the rest of that second week, until Saturday the 18th of July when a new swell tries to build. That Saturday morning is 3.3 ft from the east, period 8 seconds, clean with a light offshore, but energy is only 153 and it’s described as ordinary – still, it’s surfable.

The real highlight in the second week lands on Sunday the 19th of July morning. Glassy, no wind, 5.2 ft of SSE swell with an 8-second period. Energy is 382, moderate. The waves will be clean and punchy for that size. Then Monday the 20th of July morning is another cracker: 3.6 ft from the east, but the period jumps to 12 seconds – that’s long-period groundswell. Energy is 617, moderate. Light offshore wind from the west at 3 mph, clean. Very good conditions, and that long period will really wrap into The Island nicely. Tuesday the 21st of July is a step up in size – 7.5 ft from the ESE with a 12-second period, so that’s big again. Energy is 1620, strong. Wind is fresh offshore from the WSW at 19 mph – that’ll be clean but strong, and the paddle-out could be a mission. This one’s for experts only, as it’s over 8.2 ft. Wednesday the 22nd still has 5.2 ft from the east, 12-second period, with a moderate offshore – very good again, but still sizeable.

Best of the lot? I’d call it Saturday the 11th of July morning and Monday the 20th of July morning. Saturday gives you glass, clean lines, and a fun size. Monday brings longer-period groundswell with offshore wind. Both are clean, both are rideable, and both have that special feel. For the second week, the Tuesday the 21st morning is a standout for the big-wave crew, but it’s not for everyone.

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