Shark Island (Cronulla) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, let’s have a look at what’s in store for the next couple of weeks down at Shark Island (Cronulla).

Right off the bat, the forecast is a bit of a slow starter. We’ve got clean conditions from Saturday afternoon with a light cross-offshore breeze, but the swell is tiny, only 2 ft from the south. It’s flat and the energy is weak (66), so don’t get your hopes up for the weekend.

Sunday morning sees a bump in size to 3 ft with a clean offshore wind, but the period is short at 7 seconds, so the waves will be a bit crumbly and weak (90). It’s surfable, but nothing to write home about.

Now, Monday the 7th is where things start to get interesting. The swell picks up to 5 ft from the SSE with a period of 10 seconds. The combined energy jumps to 548, which is a solid moderate. The wind is light and cross-shore, so there will be some small ripples on the face. This is a promising day, but the tide might play games with us.

Tuesday the 8th is a real standout. We’ve got a solid 10 ft south swell rolling in early morning, with a clean cross-offshore wind. The energy is pumping at 2607 – that’s strong. This is for experienced surfers only; the size is well over 8 ft. The afternoon settles a bit to 8 ft but the period stretches to 11 seconds, which will bring in some nice groundswell lines. Again, experts only.

The following Thursday, September 10th, is another cracker. Thursday morning has another 10 ft south swell with clean winds and very strong energy (2926). By the afternoon, the swell drops a touch to 8 ft, but the wind is light cross-offshore and the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. The energy is still massive at 2295. This is the best window for the crew who can handle it.

Friday the 11th offers a brief reprieve for the slightly less hardcore. The swell drops to 6 ft from the south, and we get glassy conditions with a 3 mph offshore wind. The period is 10 seconds and the energy is 787. This is clean, good surf for those with some experience, and the crowd might be around but it’s a reef break, so pick your line.

After that, the swell fades through the second week. Saturday the 12th has a weak 4 ft south swell, but the wind turns onshore and choppy. Sunday the 13th morning gives us a glassy 3 ft south swell with a 12-second period, so there will be some long lines, but it’s small and clean. That’s your best bet in the second week.

From the 14th onwards, the forecast is pretty poor. Onshore winds, weak swells, and messy conditions dominate until we see another pulse of size on Wednesday the 16th – 8 ft south swell with a long 12-second period and clean winds, but again, that’s big and only for the experts. The energy is 2400, so it’s a proper swell.

After that, it’s mostly small and onshore to finish the period. A few clean mornings here and there with 3 ft to 5 ft swell, but nothing that’ll get the heart racing.

To sum it up: The real action is from Monday the 7th through to Friday the 11th. The standout is Thursday September 10th – that afternoon session with 8 ft south swell, a 10-second period, and gentle offshore winds is going to be magic for those who know what they’re doing. If you’re not keen on the big stuff, Sunday the 13th morning offers a glassy, clean 3 ft south swell that’ll be a fun, easy paddle.

Stay safe out there, and don’t be a hero if you’re not ready for the size.

- Rusty

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