Shark Island (Cronulla) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, we’ve got a bit of a mixed bag coming up for Shark Island (Cronulla) over the next couple of weeks. The first few days are pretty average, but there’s some serious size and quality waiting for us if we’re patient. The water’s sitting at 63°, which is about normal for this time of year, nothing out of the ordinary.

We kick off on Thursday the 23rd of July – and honestly, it’s a write-off. A 2ft east-northeast windswell with a short 9-second period and 19 mph cross-offshore winds from the WSW just isn’t doing anything for us. Wave energy is weak (89). Don’t bother paddling out.

Friday the 24th of July morning is where it starts to get interesting. The swell bumps up to 5ft from the south, with a 10-second period and a solid 9 mph offshore breeze from the southwest. The energy jumps up to 438 (moderate), and the surf is clean. This is a solid, fun size for the reef, and the offshore wind is a major plus. Friday afternoon, the wind swings light cross-shore from the ESE, and the swell drops a touch to 4ft, but it’s a bit messy with the cross-shore ripples.

Saturday the 25th of July morning, we’ve got another 5ft south swell, 11-second period, and a cross-offshore wind from the west at 9 mph. The energy is pumping at 529 (moderate), and the surf is clean. This is the pick of the first week, especially for the morning session. Saturday afternoon, the wind turns light cross-shore from the NNW, and the swell drops to 4ft, but the quality fades.

Sunday the 26th of July morning is a solid option too: 5ft south swell, 11-second period, with a clean offshore breeze from the WSW at 12 mph. Energy is 445 (moderate). The afternoon gets messy with a cross-onshore ESE wind, so get out early.

The rest of the week into early August is patchy. Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th offer small, weak surf with poor conditions. Wednesday the 29th is a dud with tiny 0.7ft to 1.0ft swell and strong south winds. Thursday the 30th of July morning has a 5ft south-southeast swell, but it’s only a 6-second period, so it’s weak and crumbly. Friday the 31st of July morning has a clean 4ft south swell with a 10-second period and light offshore wind, but it’s just ordinary.

Now, here’s where it gets real. Saturday the 1st of August afternoon, a 7ft south swell rolls in with an 8-second period, but it’s a cross-offshore wind from the SSE at 12 mph. The energy is 664 (moderate), but it’s marginal. Hold out for Sunday the 2nd of August morning. That’s a standout: 12ft south swell, 10-second period, with a 16 mph offshore breeze from the SSW. The energy is massive at 3557 (strong). This is excellent surf, but it’s big – only for experienced surfers. The afternoon is a write-off with 31 mph winds.

Monday the 3rd of August and Tuesday the 4th are still big, with 10ft to 13ft south and southeast swells, but the winds are cross-shore and lumpy, making it more of a kitesurfing show than a paddle session. The energy stays high (1306 to 3461), but the quality is poor.

The real highlight, though, is Thursday the 6th of August morning. We’ve got a 13ft southeast swell, 13-second period, and glassy conditions – dead calm, light air from the southeast. The energy is a massive 4989 (very strong). This is excellent surf for experienced surfers only. The swell is long-period, so it’ll be breaking a bit straight at the beach, but on a reef like Shark Island, it’ll be absolutely pumping. The wind is glassy, which is a major positive. Friday the 7th of August morning is also a cracker: 10ft east-southeast swell, 13-second period, with a light cross-offshore wind from the WNW. Energy is 3393 (strong) and the surf is clean. That’s another one for the crew who can handle it.

So, the best on offer is definitely Thursday the 6th of August morning – glassy, powerful, and huge. Sunday the 2nd of August morning is a close second for the earlier window. Everything else is either small, windy, or messy. Stay safe out there.

Rusty

Read more