Shark Island (Cronulla) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for the next couple of weeks. The surf’s gonna be a bit of a mixed bag, with a big gap of flat or messy conditions bookended by a couple of windows that’ll get the blood pumping. We’ve got some solid S and SSE groundswell lined up, but the wind’s going to be the real decider.

First up, the only real action this week is Shark Island (Cronulla). It’s an advanced reef break, and it’s exposed to that southerly energy. Monday the 7th is a non-starter – poor conditions with a weak 4ft SSE swell (258 combined energy) and a cross-shore breeze. Tuesday the 8th shapes up as the first half-decent window. The morning is pretty marginal with a strong 8ft SSE swell (953 combined energy) and a cross-off S wind, but the afternoon is cleaner. You’re looking at 7ft SSE swell (625 combined energy) with a light cross-off breeze. It’s not perfect, but it’s surfable. Wednesday the 9th and Thursday the 10th get blown to bits by strong breezes, even if the swell holds around 8ft to 10ft. That’s expert territory, and with the fresh to strong S/SSW winds, it’ll be a battle.

Now, Friday the 11th morning is the first real standout. We’ve got an excellent 8ft S swell rolling in with a 10-second period and a massive 2101 combined energy. The wind is light SSW, which is cross-off and cleaning it right up. This is an advanced spot for a reason – that’s a lot of power, and it’ll be pushing through the reef. The tide will be a factor, so pick your moment. Saturday the 12th morning is another good call: 6ft SSE swell (754 combined energy), longer 11-second period, light cross-off wind. It’s not as big, but the shape will be better and it’ll be a lot more user-friendly.

Then we hit a wall. From Saturday afternoon right through to Wednesday the 16th, it’s mostly messy cross-on or onshore junk with tiny, weak swells. There’s a stretch of about four days where you’re better off doing something else. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no major surprises there.

Things perk up again the following week. Thursday the 17th morning is glassy – dead calm wind with a clean 5ft S swell (443 combined energy). That’s a rare, clean window, and while the swell’s not massive, the conditions will make it a treat. The real gold is the weekend of the 19th and 20th September. Saturday morning the 19th delivers a 7ft S swell with a long 12-second period and strong 1492 combined energy. The wind is light WNW – cross-off and clean. This is the pick of the trip. It’s got size, shape, and clean lines. It’s a proper groundswell, so that reef will just suck it up and spit out some nice ones. It’s a lot of power, so not for the faint-hearted. Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning hold similar quality with 6ft and 7ft S swells and light offshore breezes. This whole weekend is the time to be out there.

After that, Monday the 21st drops back off with fresh S winds and fading swell. So, the plan: get on it Tuesday the 8th afternoon if you’re keen, but the absolute standouts are Friday the 11th morning and that whole weekend of the 19th and 20th September. The 20th Sunday morning is probably the most consistent and user-friendly of the bigger days.

Keep your eyes on the tides and don’t sleep on that glassy Thursday the 17th.

Rusty.

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