Shark Island (Cronulla) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, lookin’ at the next couple of weeks for Shark Island (Cronulla). It’s a bit of a mixed bag, so let’s get into it.

The water’s sittin’ at 61°, which is a touch colder than what we’re used to for this time of year – you’ll be wantin’ the thickest spring suit you’ve got.

We kick off on Friday the 14th of August, but honestly, it’s a write-off. We’ve got a 3ft southerly swell with a short 8-second period, and a cross-onshore wind from the ESE at 9 mph. The wave energy is only moderate at 151, and the report says it’s poor surf. Just leave it.

Saturday the 15th has a bit more promise. The morning sees a 4ft southerly swell with a 9-second period, and the wind swings to a cross-off from the south at 12 mph. It’s clean, with stronger wave energy at 282. It’s marginal, but it’s the best we’ve got early on. The afternoon picks up to 6ft, but the period drops back to 8 seconds and the wind picks up to 16 mph – still cross-off, but the energy jumps to 436. It’s still rated poor, so don’t expect perfection.

Sunday the 16th is a bit of a mess. Morning has a 5ft swell from the SE with a tiny 6-second period, cross-shore wind at 12 mph, and a chop on it. The afternoon is a bit cleaner with a cross-off wind, but the swell drops to 4ft.

Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th are both average at best, with onshore or cross-shore winds and small, weak swell. The energy is in the low to mid 200s, but the conditions are just choppy and poor.

Now, here’s a little highlight. Wednesday the 19th of August, in the morning, it goes glassy. The wind is dead calm at 0 mph, and we’ve got a 2ft long-period groundswell from the ESE at 10 seconds. The energy is moderate at 189. It’s surfable, but very ordinary. Still, a glassy morning on a reef break is always worth a look if you’re desperate.

From Thursday the 20th through to Saturday the 22nd, it’s a flat spell with tiny swell and poor conditions. The energy drops to as low as 20, with some fresh offshore winds on the 22nd, but the swell is only 1ft – not worth paddling out for.

Now, Sunday the 23rd of August is where things get interesting. The morning brings a solid 5ft southerly swell with a 9-second period, and a cross-off wind from the SSE at 12 mph. The energy is strong at 504. It’s marginal, but clean. The afternoon gets even better: a 6ft southerly groundswell with a 11-second period, the wind drops to 6 mph from the SE, and the energy jumps to 789. This is the standout session for the first week. The longer period means better shaped waves, but on a reef like Shark Island, it’ll handle it fine. It’s a bit of a solid size, so this is one for the experienced crew.

Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th have some size, but the wind is onshore or cross, messing it up. Tuesday the 25th morning, however, has a massive 12ft southerly groundswell with an 11-second period. The energy is enormous at 4648, and the wind is light from the NNW. This is big, powerful stuff – only for the experts. The afternoon is still 8ft, but the onshore wind from the NE at 12 mph ruins it.

Wednesday the 26th and Thursday the 27th are still big, with 8ft and 5ft swells, but the winds are not ideal – onshore or cross-shore. The energy is still strong, but the conditions are poor.

Finally, Friday the 28th of August. The morning is glassy again, with a light air from the SSE and a 5ft SE groundswell with a 10-second period. The energy is strong at 513, and the report says “expect good surf conditions.” This is your second real standout. Clean, solid, long-period swell on a reef – that’s a recipe for some proper waves. The afternoon holds up with a 5ft swell, but the wind picks up to 12 mph, still cross-off and clean.

The last couple of days, the 29th, fizzle out with smaller swell and moderate winds.

Overall, the best bets are the afternoon of Sunday the 23rd and the morning of Friday the 28th. Both offer solid, clean surf with good energy. Don’t expect much else in between.

Rusty.

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