Shark Island (Cronulla) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ve been staring at the charts for your spot – Shark Island (Cronulla). This is a reef setup that likes a solid S to SSE pulse. Over the next two and a half weeks, we’ve got a messy start with some real junk to sift through, but there’s a couple of windows that’ll get the heart rate up if you’re patient.

Right now, things are flat and ordinary. Saturday the 5th only offers a tiny 2 ft S swell with weak combined energy (67) and a moderate cross-off breeze – basically a write-off. Sunday morning the 6th sees a bump to 3 ft from the SSW with offshore wind, but the period is short at 7 seconds and the energy is still low (112). It’s surfable but very average.

Monday morning the 7th is when you start to pay attention. The wind goes glassy, dead calm – a beautiful NW breeze at 5 km/h – and the swell is a clean 5 ft from the S with moderate energy (261) and an 8-second period. This is the first real highlight. It’s clean, it’s lined up, and for a fairly consistent reef like Shark Island with a SE optimum, a little S swell with glass makes for a proper session. Water temp is sitting right on average for this time of year at 64°, so don’t bother with the thick rubber.

The real standout though is Thursday the 10th. Morning shows 8 ft from the S with a 10-second period and combined energy surging to 1249. That’s strong. Afternoon gets even punchier: 8 ft from the S, period still 10 seconds, and energy jumps to a massive 2705. Winds are cross-off from the SSE at 20 km/h, keeping it clean. This is big, powerful, and right in the groove for Shark Island. For advanced surfers only – at over 8 ft this is expert territory. The reef will handle it, and the long 10-second period means proper groundswell lines. Crowds are possible here, but when it’s this size, the lineup thins out.

Friday morning the 11th holds solid at 6 ft from the S with an 11-second period and 740 energy. Light cross-off from the WNW at 10 km/h – almost glassy again. Clean, punchy, and the set gaps will be noticeable with that longer period, making the paddle out a bit easier for those who wait.

After that, it drops off. Saturday the 12th is messy with onshore NE winds, and Sunday the 13th fades to 4 ft with a long 11-second period but cross-shore breeze. The next week gets a bit of a pulse late on Tuesday the 15th – 8 ft from the S again, with 8-second period and 852 energy – but it’s blowing a solid 35 km/h cross-off from the SSW. That’s strong wind, even if it’s offshore, so expect a bit of a blast. By Wednesday the 16th it’s back to 5 ft and clean, but nothing special.

Thursday the 17th afternoon offers another late push: 7 ft from the S with an 11-second period and 1633 energy. Winds are cross-off from the SSE at 30 km/h – clean but windy. That’s worth a look for the crew who don’t mind a bit of spray.

So, the best on offer? Monday morning the 7th for glassy, fun waves, and Thursday the 10th for the big, powerful session. The water’s average for September, so just your usual spring wetsuit.

- Rusty

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