Shark Island (Cronulla) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, let’s have a proper look at what’s on the cards for Shark Island (Cronulla). It’s a reef setup, so it handles a bit of swell direction better than a beach, but we’ve got a real mixed bag coming up.

We’re looking at a pretty rough start to the period. The first real swell that’s worth paddling out for isn’t until Sunday the 5th of July, but even then it’s a marginal call. There's a solid 12 ft swell from the S, with a period of 13 seconds – real groundswell energy – but the wind is howling from the S at 25 mph. The combined wave energy is hefty at 3511, but that southerly is cross-off, which can work here, but the wind strength is a worry. Water temp is 63°F, which is about average for the time of year, so the rubber’s not a shock.

Monday the 6th still has some size, with 10 ft dropping to 8 ft from the SSE, but the wind stays up from the SSE at 19 mph, making it a rough and raw session. The energy is still moderate to strong, around 1504. Honestly, these first few days are more about survival than glory.

We do get a slight clean-up on Wednesday the 8th of July. The morning sees a 8 ft swell from the SE, with a 10-second period, and the wind swinging to SSW at 19 mph, giving us a fresh offshore breeze – clean waves. The energy is still solid at 1685. It’s the best of a messy bunch early on, but it’s still being described as marginal.

Things drop off into the weekend of the 11th and 12th. Swell sizes tumble to under 3 ft, with poor, onshore winds. You’d be better off staying home, or checking the local rivers.

Now, hold on, because the second half of the forecast has a couple of genuine standouts. The real one to circle is Friday the 17th of July. The morning session is calling out for experienced surfers. We’ve got a 8 ft swell from the SSE, and the period stretches out to 11 seconds – proper long-period groundswell. The wind is light offshore from the SW at 9 mph. That’s the recipe for a clean, powerful reef. The combined energy is 2178, and it’s being called excellent conditions for experienced surfers. This is the pick of the whole run.

The afternoon of the 17th also looks interesting, but it’s a different beast. The swell jumps to 10 ft and the period hits a massive 16 seconds from the SSE – that’s very long-period energy. The wind is light cross-shore from the SE, so it might get a little lined up. At 10 ft, that’s getting into expert-only territory at a reef, especially with that long period which will make it bend hard. The energy is extreme at 4546. It could be a proper big-wave session for the crew who know the place, but it’s a step up.

Before that, Thursday the 16th of July also has potential, with 12 ft from the S and a 10-second period, with a fresh offshore from the SSW at 22 mph. The energy is massive at 3740, but the wind is stronger, so the 17th morning is the cleaner option.

After that, Saturday the 18th still has 10 ft from the SE with a 12-second period, but winds are cross-shore, and Sunday the 19th drops to 6 ft.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a write-off for any quality, with a big, windy cleanup. The one to wait for is Friday the 17th of July, especially the morning. That’s the standout. For the brave, the afternoon could be a big-wave challenge, and Thursday the 16th is worth a look if you don’t mind strong offshore wind.

Rusty

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