Shark Island (Cronulla) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright mate, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for our little patch.

We’ve got a 16-day window ahead, but I’ll be straight with you – the first week is a write-off. There’s a bare stretch of days with no real surf to speak of, so don’t bother paddling out until things change. The ocean’s just not feeling it for a while.

The lone spot on the radar is Shark Island (Cronulla). It’s a reef setup, fairly exposed, and likes swell from the SE – which is its sweet spot.

Now, the water’s sitting at 62°F at the moment, with an anomaly of -2°F, so it’s pretty much average for this time of year. Nothing to shock you, just your usual winter chill.

For the first week, from Wednesday 19 August right through to the morning of Tuesday 25 August, it’s all “poor surf conditions” – tiny waves, onshore winds, messy energy. The combined swell energy is weak, barely cracking two-digit numbers (273, 74, 64, 38, 37, 20, 14, 60, 76, 65, 61, 159). Not worth getting wet for.

Then Tuesday 25 August afternoon shows a flicker of life – 1yds from the ENE with a period of 8 seconds, and a cross-off breeze. The combined energy climbs to 151 (moderate), and it’s described as “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” Still, nothing to get excited about.

Wednesday 26 August brings a strong offshore from the SW at 28 mph, with 1.0yds from the NE. That’s clean but hard to paddle into – only for the fit and keen.

The real hope starts on Thursday 27 August afternoon. The swell is 1yds from the S, period 10 seconds, and a light cross-off from the SSE at 9 mph. The combined energy hits 290 (moderate), and the comment says “expect good surf conditions.” That’s the standout window. The swell direction is a solid S, which is a good match for the optimum SE direction, and the wind is clean. It’s a reef break, so long-period groundswell will wrap in nicely. Crowds are “sometimes” an issue here, so you might have company, but it’s a quality spot.

Friday 28 August morning is still OK with 1yds from the S, period 10 seconds, and light cross-shore, but the wind is cross, not offshore, so it’s not as good as the day before.

After that, the surf fades again through the weekend and into the following week. By Sunday 30 August afternoon, the swell jumps to 3yds from the S, period 10 seconds, but the wind is cross-onshore and choppy. That’s messy and big – likely too much for anyone but experts.

Into the second week, things get more powerful but less clean. The swell cranks up: Monday 31 August morning sees 4yds from the S at 12 seconds, but onshore ENE winds at 16 mph and combined energy of 3323 (strong) – it’s big and blown out. Monday afternoon is 6yds from the S at 14 seconds, energy 14026 (very strong), but same onshore wind. That’s solid groundswell but only for the brave, and even then, the wind is ruining it.

Tuesday 1 September is more of the same: 5yds, onshore, poor. Wednesday 2 September drops to 4yds from the SSE, still cross-onshore, but the comment says “marginal.” The wind is moderate cross-onshore and choppy, so not great for paddling.

By Thursday 3 September, the swell is fading to 2yds from the SE, period 11 seconds, but still cross-onshore and messy. It’s a step down in size but the quality isn’t there.

So, the best of the bunch is Thursday 27 August afternoon at Shark Island (Cronulla). That’s your window. Clean, moderate energy, decent size, and a good swell direction. Get on it before the big stuff rolls in and turns it into a washing machine.

Rusty.

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