Sawtell-The Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll level with ya – this 16-day window for the Coffs Coast has a real slow burn start, but there’s one absolute standout in the middle that’s got my heart beating a little faster. We’re talking about our local gem, Sawtell-The Island. Water temp’s sitting at 67°, which is pretty damn normal for this time of year – nothin’ to write home about, just your standard winter chill.

The first few days are a bit of a tease. Sunday the 26th kicks off with a glassy morning, a light 4ft SSE swell and a period of 12 seconds giving us a weak combined energy of 339 – it’s surfable and clean for the advanced crew, but there’s no punch behind it. The afternoon turns to garbage with an onshore breeze. Monday the 27th is barely worth paddling out for; a 3ft SSE swell with a short 9-second period and only 185 energy – just ordinary. Tuesday the 28th is even smaller, 3ft SSE with a period of 8 seconds and a weak energy reading of 86 – it’s glassy in the morning, but you’ll be battling for scraps.

Wednesday the 29th and Thursday the 30th are a write-off for any real quality, with tiny junk and poor conditions. Thursday afternoon sees a jump to 6ft SSE swell with a short 7-second period and moderate energy of 593, but the wind swings cross-shore and cooks it up – looks more like a kiteboarding setup than a paddle session.

Then comes the real deal. Friday the 31st of July – mark it, my friends. The morning delivers a solid 8ft S swell with an 11-second period and a powerful combined energy of 2141. That’s strong, meaty energy. The wind’s a clean cross-offshore from the SSW, so the face should be gorgeous. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers; the size is over 8ft, so this one’s for the experts only – beginners, sit this one out. Saturday the 1st of August holds a similar 7ft S swell with 10-second period and 1433 energy, but conditions are a little more marginal with cross-off winds – still a solid option for those who know what they’re doing.

Sunday the 2nd of August backs off to a cleaner 5ft SE swell with an 11-second period and 537 energy – very good surf with light cross-off breezes. A great option for the intermediate crew if Friday was too heavy. Monday the 3rd of August is glassy again, 4ft SE with 10-second period and 356 energy – clean and fun, but nothin’ to lose sleep over.

The second week fades fast. From Tuesday the 4th through Saturday the 8th, we see dropping swells, increasing onshore winds, and weak energy readings dropping below 100. There’s a gap of several days with no real recommendations in there – just ordinary waves and poor conditions.

But hang on – we get a late surprise. Sunday the 9th of August brings back 6ft SSW swell with a short 8-second period, but with glassy conditions and a combined energy of 596 – very good surf for a quick dawny. Then Monday the 10th of August is possibly the most promising of the whole late run: a 5ft ESE groundswell with a very long 12-second period and 584 energy, and it’s dead glassy with zero wind. That’s clean, lined-up energy – best for the point and reef setups, as that long period can make beachies a bit wonky. This one’s a real gem for the advanced surfer.

So my pick? Friday 31st July morning is the true standout – big, powerful, clean, and firing for the experienced. And if you miss that, Monday 10th August morning is your second shot at something special. The rest is mostly a waiting game, but the ocean’s got a couple aces up its sleeve.

Rusty.

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