Shark Island (Cronulla) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s comin’ for Shark Island (Cronulla).

First up, the water temp is about 63°, which is pretty normal for this time of year – nothin’ wild there.

The forecast starts off a bit flat and messy. Sunday afternoon, the 19th of July, is a write-off – cross-shore breeze, weak energy (785), and marginal conditions. Monday the 20th shows some promise early – a 6 ft swell from the ENE with a 10-second period, and a light offshore breeze (NW at 6 mph). That’ll be clean, with moderate energy (778). It’s a small window though, and by afternoon the wind swings onshore, killin’ it.

Tuesday and Wednesday are pretty average – swell drops to 3-4 ft, winds are messy, and the energy’s down in the 165-387 range. Not worth paddlin’ out for.

Thursday the 23rd picks up a new S’ly swell, but the wind is howlin’ at 19 mph from the WSW. It’s clean but the energy is only 306 for the afternoon, and the conditions are too lumpy for a good session.

Friday the 24th is the first real highlight. The morning’s iffy, but Friday afternoon looks good – 4 ft S’ly swell, 10-second period, light offshore wind from the west at 6 mph, and clean surf. The combined energy (440) is solid. This is the best on offer in the first week – a proper clean, lined-up reef wave. Crowds can show up here sometimes, so get in early.

Saturday the 25th is a write-off again – strong winds mess up the morning, and the afternoon is blown out.

Sunday the 26th of July brings a bigger pulse – 7 ft from the S with an 11-second period, massive energy (1466), and a cross-off breeze. That’s a decent swell, but it’s on the big side for beginners and the wind is up to 16 mph. It’s clean but will be a handful. The afternoon drops off quickly.

The next few days are small and weak – energy under 283, poor conditions, nothin’ to get excited about.

Then we get to the real standout. On the 31st of July, Friday afternoon, the swell jumps to 5 ft from the S, 9-second period, with a light offshore breeze from the SW at 6 mph. The energy is 567 – decent, and it’s clean.

But the best session in the whole 16-day window is Saturday the 1st of August. Mornin’ and afternoon both have a solid 10 ft S’ly swell, 10-second period, with gentle offshore or cross-off winds. The energy is massive – 3313 in the morning, 1937 in the afternoon. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers – a proper groundswell, long lines, clean conditions. It’s big – over 8 ft, so only for experts. The optimum swell direction from the S matches up nicely with the break. This is the one to circle on the calendar.

Sunday the 2nd of August still has 10 ft, but the wind is onshore or cross-shore, makin’ it messy. Monday the 3rd has a strong 25 mph offshore, which is clean but hard to paddle into, and the swell is droppin’ to 6 ft.

So, the pick of the fortnight is Friday afternoon the 31st of July for a solid clean session, and Saturday the 1st of August for the big, powerful, expert-only swell. Don’t sleep on that Saturday.

Rusty.

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