Shark Island (Cronulla) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Alright, let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Shark Island (Cronulla). The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year—nothing out of the ordinary there.

This stretch has a bit of a mixed bag. The standout window is shaping up for Wednesday afternoon, the 5th of August, through to Saturday morning, the 8th. That’s where we’ll get the cleanest, most consistent surf.

We’ll kick off on Friday, the 31st of July. It’s got some size—6 ft to 7 ft from the south—but the wind is cross-off, and conditions are described as marginal. The combined energy on Friday arvo is pumping at 1325 (moderate), but the quality just isn’t there for a good session.

Saturday morning, the 1st of August, is better. The swell drops to 5 ft from the SSE, but the wind swings to a clean offshore from the SW at just 6 mph. That’s the kind of glassy, clean surface we love. The combined energy is 349 (moderate) – it’s a solid option, but it’s not the big stand-out of the forecast.

Sunday, the 2nd, sees a long period 12-second SSE groundswell at 5 ft. The morning has a cross-shore wind from the NNW. That long period can really set up a nice wave at a reef like Shark Island, but it does mean longer gaps between sets. The arvo turns onshore and messy, so if you go, make it a dawny.

Monday and Tuesday are flat to tiny—don’t bother, you’ll be fighting for a dribble.

Now here’s the stand-out. Wednesday afternoon, the 5th of August. The swell jumps to 6 ft from the south, period at 11 seconds, combined energy 695 (moderate), and light cross-off wind from the west at just 3 mph. The report says “expect very good surf conditions.” That’s the session. It’s not huge, but it’s clean, shoulder-high, and lined up.

Thursday through the weekend has some drop in size, with 4 ft to 5 ft SSE swell but clean cross-off winds. Saturday morning, the 8th, looks fun again with 5 ft SSE swell and a light WSW breeze at 3 mph. That’s another clean, glassy morning. But overall, Wednesday arvo is the pick.

After that, from Sunday the 9th onward, it gets pretty average. Poor conditions, small swell, and building winds. From the 10th through to the 15th of August, there’s a stretch of days with mostly poor surf. The swell stays under 4 ft, and while some mornings are clean, the energy is low. You’d be taking a long paddle for not much.

So, bottom line: Wednesday afternoon the 5th of August is your best bet at Shark Island. Offshore breeze, clean lines, and a solid 6 ft south swell—that’s the one to aim for.

Rusty.

Read more