Sawtell-The Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, this is Rusty with the outlook for Sawtell. We’ve only got one spot on the radar for the next 16 days, and that’s The Island. Let’s be straight with you: it’s a slow start and a mixed bag after that.

For the first few days, we’re looking at a bit of a flat spell. Don’t bother paddling out on Wednesday the 15th or Thursday the 16th – the swell is tiny or sloppy and the wind is howling, making it a real scratch fest. The combined energy is weak (9 on Wednesday morning) before it jumps up with the wind, but it’s not surfable. The real action doesn’t even start to show until the weekend.

The first real standout window is Sunday the 19th. The Island is exposed to the SE, and we’ve got a big, solid pulse of swell coming in from the ESE. We’re talking about 12 ft of swell with a 10-second period – that’s a lot of water moving. The combined energy is massive (2732 in the morning, 2543 in the afternoon). But here’s the catch: this is an advanced break, and that size is for experts only. Anything over 8 ft, and it’s just too big for most of us. The wind is a fresh cross-shore, and the reports say it’s predicted to be too big for this break. This one is a true beast, only for the big-wave crew.

The next best window, and probably the most user-friendly, is Tuesday the 21st. The swell drops to a more manageable 6 ft from the E, with a nice 10-second period. The magic is in the morning: a light offshore breeze from the SW, clean conditions. The combined energy is moderate (794). This is your pick for the week if you want something challenging but not terrifying. The crowds are a possibility here, so get in early.

After that, the swell hangs around but starts to fade. Wednesday the 22nd morning could be a sneaky good one with 5 ft of E swell and glassy conditions – no wind at all. That’s a rare treat. The energy is still moderate (443). It’s a good option for the more experienced surfer.

From the 23rd through the end of the month, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. The swell drops into the 3 ft to 6 ft range, and the wind is mostly cross-off. The energy is weak to moderate. It’s not all bad, but it’s inconsistent. The mornings on the 25th and 26th offer some clean conditions with light winds, so stay hopeful. The last few days of the month see the swell dip a bit more, with periods around 8-10 seconds, and the energy is back down to the 200-400 range. It’s a quiet end to the outlook.

All in all, the best surf on offer is the big Sunday session for the experts, and the clean Tuesday morning for the experienced crew. If you’re a beginner, sit this one out or wait for a smaller day.

Rusty.

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