Shark Island (Cronulla) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s break it down. Rusty here, lookin’ at what’s comin’ for Shark Island over the next couple weeks.

First off, this is not the sort of run that’ll have ya cancelling work to paddle out. The start of the period kicks off with some serious size – we’re talkin’ 10 ft to 12 ft swell from the SSE/SE, with a solid 10 to 11 second period. That’s a lot of water movin’ around, and the combined energy is strong as hell (2,203 to 2,574). The wind is a fresh cross-off, so the face’ll be clean, but this is advanced territory. No messin’ around for beginners; over 8 ft and it’s only for the crew who know what they’re doin’. The water’s sittin’ at 63°, which is just about average for this time of year – nothin’ weird there.

Come Wednesday the 8th and Thursday the 9th, we drop back a notch: 8 ft down to 6 ft, still SE, still a decent 10-second period, but the wind stays cross-off. The energy drops from moderate to just on the edge of moderate (around 617 to 832). It’s surfable, but nothin’ to write home about. Thursday afternoon actually gets a mention for “expect good surf conditions,” but with the score not bein’ a standout, I’d say it’s more “okay” than “oh yeah.”

Friday the 10th morning looks the pick of the first week, honestly. Swell drops to 5 ft from the SE, period 9 seconds, and we get a light offshore from the SW – clean, glassy potential. Combined energy is moderate (431). That’s a solid session for someone keen on a quieter, lined-up reef. Crowds are just “sometimes,” so ya might get a few others out there, but not a circus.

From Friday afternoon onward, it’s a slow decline into pretty ordinary territory. The weekend (11th and 12th) sees the swell drop below 3 ft, with energy fallin’ to weak (under 100 by Sunday). Winds are messy or light cross, and the conditions are poor. By Monday the 13th, we’re lookin’ at flat spells with energy as low as 23 – that’s barely a ripple.

There’s a bit of a gap here. From about Sunday the 12th through to Wednesday the 15th, nothin’ worth paddlin’ for. Then Wednesday the 15th afternoon we get a little pulse: 3 ft from the south, 9 seconds, and glassy conditions. It’s weak energy (150) and “surfable but very ordinary” – more of a longboard cruise than anythin’ to get excited about.

Now, leavin’ the second week, Thursday the 16th morning brings a spike: 7 ft from the south with a long 13-second period, moderate offshore wind (SSW at 15 mph), and strong energy (1,584). That’s a good look – clean, powerful lines, but again, that’s for experienced surfers. It’s the only real standout in the second week, and it’s a week and a half away, so keep an eye but don’t book the trip yet.

Friday the 17th has 5 ft, SSE, light wind – “expect good surf conditions” again, but the energy’s moderate (370). After that, Saturday the 18th onward is back to small and weak, with onshore or messy winds. The run fades out with nothin’ to recommend from the 19th through to the end of the period.

So, if I had to point ya somewhere: Friday 10th July morning at Shark Island (Cronulla) is the best bet in the first week – light offshore, head-high, clean lines. In the second week, Thursday 16th July morning is the one to watch for power surfers, but it’s advanced-only. Other than that, it’s a lot of waitin’ and watchin’.

Rusty.

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