Sawtell-The Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk about what’s on offer for Sawtell-The Island. The 16-day window starts with a bit of a wait – nothing worth paddling out for Thursday afternoon, with a weak 2ft south-southeast swell and cross-shore wind making a mess. But hold tight, because Friday morning is the real deal.

Friday the 31st of July, early doors, is your standout session. The Island is pumping with a solid 6ft south swell, groundswell period of 12 seconds, and cross-offshore wind from the SSW keeping it clean. The combined energy is strong at 1271, and it’s an advanced-level wave – this one’s for experienced surfers only. Water temp is 67°, which is about normal for this time of year, just a touch on the cool side. Crowds can happen here, so expect company if you’re out there.

Friday afternoon drops off a bit, with 5ft and cross-shore chop, not worth chasing. Saturday the 1st of August has a morning window with 5ft and clean cross-off wind, but the period is short at 9 seconds and the energy is moderate at 370. It’s a marginal call. The afternoon sees 6ft but rain showers and a cross-shore, so it’s messy.

Sunday morning the 2nd of August is glassy with a 3ft southeast swell, long period of 14 seconds – that’s proper groundswell. Energy is moderate at 627. The wind is glassy, so it’ll be clean, but the swell is small, so it’s more of a longboard or funboard wave. Afternoon turns onshore with 5ft, so not ideal.

Monday morning the 3rd is glassy again with 4ft, period 11 seconds, and energy at 412 – clean but small. Afternoon goes bad with cross-on wind and chop. From Tuesday the 4th through to the end of the first week, it’s mostly small, weak, and ordinary. There’s a glassy morning on the 5th with only 2ft, and Thursday the 6th morning has 3ft with glassy conditions but low energy at 200. Not worth a dedicated trip.

The second week is pretty quiet. A few mornings have glassy or clean conditions, like the 8th of August with 3ft, or the 11th with 2ft, but the swell is tiny and weak – energy values are often under 150. The standout in the second week is Friday the 14th of August afternoon: 4ft south-southeast swell, period 9 seconds, with clean cross-off wind and energy at 258. It’s not huge, but it’s the best of the week. The 14th morning also has offshore wind at 12 mph and 3ft, but it’s small.

Overall, the first week has one real highlight – Friday 31st morning. The rest is a mix of small, marginal, or messy conditions. The second week is flat and quiet, with only a brief glimmer on the 14th. If you’re keen, chase that Friday morning, but don’t expect much else.

Rusty.

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