Shark Island (Cronulla) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Shark Island (Cronulla). It’s a reef break, for advanced surfers only, and it’s fairly exposed to the south-east. Water temp is 62°F, right about average for this time of year.

We’re looking at a slow start, but things shape up later in the week. Wednesday the 26th is a total washout – rain showers, 30 km/h cross-off wind from the SSW, and only 3ft of weak, short-period swell from the ENE. Combined energy is 125 – nothing doing.

Thursday the 27th is better but still marginal. Morning has 6ft of S swell (9 seconds) with a 15 km/h cross-off from the S, combined energy 656. It’s got some grunt, but the wind isn’t perfect and the tide might mess with it. The afternoon drops to 5ft with a light cross-shore from the ESE – glassier but still just okay.

Friday the 28th morning is where I’d paddle out. Swell hits 5ft from the SSE at 11 seconds, wind is clean offshore from the SW at 10 km/h, combined energy 650. That’s the best of the week. Afternoon gets onshore, so get it early.

Saturday the 29th morning is fun too – 4ft of SSE swell, 10-second period, light winds keeping it clean. Combined energy 442. Afternoon gets choppy.

Sunday the 30th morning is a real gem. Only 4ft of S swell at 9 seconds, but the wind is near calm at 5 km/h from the WSW, so it’s glassy. Combined energy 272. For a reef break, that’s a tidy session.

Monday the 31st is tiny – 2ft but with a very long 16-second period from the SSE. Combined energy 345, but you’ll be waiting a long time between sets.

From September 1st through the 5th, it’s flat. Swells drop under 3ft, most days 1ft to 2ft with energy in the 30 to 98 range. A few light offshore mornings, but no swell to ride. That’s a long break.

Then Sunday September 6th morning shows potential, but it’s a week and a half away. Swell jumps to 8ft from the S, but with a short 7-second period. Wind is light from the SSE, cross-off, keeping it clean, combined energy 718. That’s a heavy, steep wave – experts only. Afternoon gets messy with onshore wind.

Tuesday September 8th afternoon has a late option: 7ft from the NE, 7-second period, offshore wind at 15 km/h from the SW. Combined energy 658. Again, short period and only for the advanced crew.

Best bets are Friday 28th August morning and Sunday 30th August morning for clean, fun waves. For size and power, keep an eye on Sunday September 6th morning, but that’s a long-range call for experts only.

If the wind gets strong and the swell short, this setup can look more like a kite session than a paddle surf, especially on the 6th.

– Rusty

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