Shark Island (Cronulla) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it.

We’ve got a bit of a slow run ahead here at Shark Island (Cronulla), but there’s a couple of windows where it’ll come alive. The water’s sitting at 62°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year – you’ll feel that nip in the air and the water.

Friday afternoon is the kickoff: tiny 2ft easterly windswell, period a short 7 seconds, combined energy is weak at 103. But, the wind is glassy – dead calm – so if you just want a grovel on a longboard, you could have some fun. It’s surfable but ordinary.

Saturday the 18th brings a bit more size, but the wind is messy. Morning is cross-off with 3ft at 6 seconds, poor. Afternoon picks up to 3ft at 7 seconds, but the cross-shore wind chops it up. Not worth paddling out.

Now, Sunday the 19th morning is the first real standout. Swell jumps to 7ft from the ENE with a solid 11-second period, and the energy is pumping – 1048 (moderate to strong). The wind is light and cross-off from the SSE, so the waves will be clean. This is a reef break for advanced surfers, and it’s fairly consistent. Expect some long lines but with those longer periods, it could break a bit straight at times – still, the quality is there. Afternoon drops to 6ft and 760 energy, with a light cross-shore; marginal but surfable.

Monday the 20th morning is another good one: 5ft from the ENE, 10-second period, energy at 598, and light offshore (WNW) wind. Clean, decent shape. Not a massive standout, but solid. Afternoon turns onshore from the NE – avoid.

Tuesday the 21st drops off: 4ft ENE, but the wind is cross and then cross-on. Energy is fading to 377. Wednesday through to the end of July is mostly small and weak, under 3ft, with energy rarely cracking 150. Thursday the 31st of July morning is the late-week surprise: 7ft from the south, short 7-second period, but with a fresh offshore wind from the SW (16 mph). That’s a clean, punchy, expert-only wave – over 8ft at the peak, so only for the experienced. Combined energy hits 488. Afternoon holds at 7ft from the south, 8 seconds, 613 energy, with a gentle cross-off – still good.

After that, it fades fast into August: Saturday the 1st is back to tiny, poor conditions.

Overall, your best bet is Sunday the 19th morning – that ENE groundswell with clean wind is the highlight. The end of the month on the 31st is also worth a look, especially for the experts who don’t mind a bit of power and offshore wind. There’s a long gap of small, poor surf in between, so pick your windows.

Rusty.

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