Surf Forecasts:
Shark Island (Cronulla) surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 8s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s period, SSE swell with 359 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 8s period with NE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Shark Island (Cronulla) this week:
The surf forecast for Shark Island (Cronulla) over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 3s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Shark Island (Cronulla) in the next 16 days are 1.3m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Shark Island (Cronulla) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll level with ya – the next two weeks are a mixed bag at Shark Island, with a long stretch of doldrums in the back half. The forecast starts with a few weak, messy days, but there’s a true standout window mid-week that’s worth circling on the calendar.
We’re kicking off Sunday the 23rd with a tiny 2ft south swell and a 20 km/h onshore from the northeast. The water’s sitting at 62°, about average for the time of year, but with the wind howling onshore, it’s a write-off. Monday the 24th isn’t much better – 3ft south swell, cross-on nor’westerlies, and the energy is weak (247). Tuesday the 25th brings a bump to 4ft, but it’s short-period stuff (6 seconds) from the northeast, with light rain and cross-on wind. The combined energy pushes to 376 (moderate), but the quality is poor.
Now, Wednesday the 26th morning – this is where it gets interesting. The wind swings offshore from the SSW at 15 km/h, cleaning up a 3ft ENE swell with an 8-second period. The energy is modest (172), but that offshore wind makes it glassy. The standouts? Thursday morning the 27th is the real gem. We’ve got a 5ft south swell, 8-second period, combined energy of 396 (moderate), and the wind is dead glassy – 5 km/h from the south. Expect good surf. This is the pick of the fortnight. For a reef break like Shark Island, that south swell direction lines up nicely with the optimum. Just be aware, crowds are sometimes a factor here.
Friday the 28th morning drops back to 2ft from the SSE, but it’s clean with a 5 km/h WNW cross-off wind. The period stretches to 11 seconds, giving the waves a bit more shape. Saturday the 29th morning is another glassy one – 4ft SSE swell, 9-second period, glassy conditions. Good surf again.
After that, it fades. Sunday the 30th drops to 2ft, and from Monday the 31st onward, the swell is tiny. The first week of September sees runs of 1ft to 3ft, with weak energy (under 100) and a lot of poor surf conditions. There’s a brief flash on Monday the 7th – a 3ft south swell with 9-second period and clean cross-off wind, but the energy is weak (130). Honestly, after the 29th, it’s a long, flat run. For the area, this kind of blank spell isn’t unusual, but forecasts can change.
So, wrap it up: Wednesday the 26th morning is a solid option, but Thursday the 27th morning is the one to pencil in. That glassy 5ft south swell at Shark Island will be firing for the advanced crew.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
161 | 202 | 118 | 89 | 206 | 126 | 222 | 136 | 130 | 100 | 232 | 324 | 190 | 279 | 95 | 359 | 223 | 193 | 164 | 106 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:01PM1.35m | 5:53AM0.95m | 5:50PM1.41m | 6:35AM1.01m | 6:31PM1.48m | 7:12AM1.09m | 7:09PM1.53m | 7:47AM1.16m | 7:45PM1.56m | 8:21AM1.24m | 8:21PM1.56m | 8:55AM1.31m | 8:57PM1.53m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:02AM0.38m | 11:12AM0.51m | 00:42AM0.31m | 12:01PM0.44m | 1:16AM0.24m | 12:44PM0.38m | 1:49AM0.18m | 1:24PM0.33m | 2:19AM0.14m | 2:04PM0.29m | 2:50AM0.12m | 2:45PM0.26m | 3:21AM0.12m | |||||||
— | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | |
5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 21 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 14 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | S 10 | ENE 6 | S 10 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 |
133 | 202 | 39 | 89 | 94 | 62 | 108 | 136 | 130 | 100 | 78 | 324 | 190 | 279 | 93 | 359 | 223 | 193 | 164 | 106 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | ENE 9 | S 10 | S 18 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 16 | S 11 | S 15 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 |
161 | 7 | 118 | 6 | 46 | 27 | 27 | 14 | 42 | 9 | 4 | 54 | 52 | 90 | 61 | 59 | 44 | 62 | 48 | 44 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 14 | ENE 8 | E 13 | S 18 | ENE 10 | S 16 | S 16 | — | — | — | S 15 | SSE 14 | S 14 | SSE 11 | S 9 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 |
— | 4 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 19 | 21 | — | — | — | 18 | 41 | 36 | 95 | 39 | 17 | 20 | 8 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | NE 5 | NE 5 | ENE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NW 3 | SSW 3 | S 6 | SSE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 4 | — | — |
20 | 22 | 83 | 54 | 206 | 126 | 222 | 3 | 6 | 88 | 232 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 5 | 1 | 1 | 87 | 1 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 62 | 29 | 0 | 60 | 1 | 0 | 46 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Sydney South Coast | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Shark Island (Cronulla) Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Shark Island (Cronulla) provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Shark Island (Cronulla) can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Shark Island (Cronulla) surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Shark Island (Cronulla)) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Shark Island (Cronulla) may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Shark Island (Cronulla) is 2 km (1 miles) from Cronulla. If you plan a holiday in Sydney South Coast, look for hotels and other accommodation in Cronulla. Cronulla has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











