Shark Island (Cronulla) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s break down what’s coming for Shark Island (Cronulla) over the next 16 days. This is a reef setup, so it needs a decent south swell to fire, and the water temp is sitting at 64°F, which is right about average for this time of year – nothing unusual.

The start is slow, but there’s a little window of opportunity. The first real surf shows up Friday morning, September 4th. Swell is a modest 4 ft from the south, with a 10-second period, and the wind is light from the WNW – that’s cross-off, keeping it clean. The energy is moderate at 274, and while it’s not huge, it’s surfable. The morning is your best bet; by afternoon, the wind swings NE and onshore, so it’ll get messy.

Saturday and Sunday are a bit of a write-off – small, wonky winds, and the swell just doesn’t have the power. But Monday morning, September 7th, is a tease: 4 ft south swell with a light NNW cross-wind, but conditions are still poor. Then Tuesday morning, the 8th, things get real. We’re looking at a solid 8 ft south swell, period 9 seconds, and a clean cross-off wind from the SSW. The energy is strong at 1853, but this is big. For a reef, 8 ft is expert territory – not for beginners. The long gaps between sets from that period will make paddling out a challenge, but if you’ve got the skills, it’s a standout.

The real gem in this run is Friday morning, September 11th. The swell drops to 6 ft from the SSE, with a longer 11-second period, and the wind is almost glassy from the WNW – a slight air, offshore. The energy is solid at 869, and conditions are flagged as very good. This is the pick of the forecast. Clean, lined-up waves on the reef with enough push for a proper session. The afternoon sees a cross-shore breeze, so the morning is the one to lock in.

After that, it peters out. Saturday the 12th and Sunday the 13th are small and onshore, and by the second week, from the 14th onward, the swell drops right off. There are days of tiny, weak waves, with energy readings under 100. The 17th and 18th show some very long-period swell – 13 to 18 seconds – but the height is only 0.7 ft to 1 ft, so it’s a ripple. That long period would normally mean better shape, but at that size, it’s not breaking on the reef. Not worth it.

So, to sum it up: the first week has a couple of windows, with Friday morning the 11th being the best. If you’re experienced, Tuesday morning the 8th is also worth a look, but it’s serious. The rest of the run is mostly flat or poor. Get in while you can.

Rusty.

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