
Surf Forecasts:
The Island surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 2,747 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 14s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Island this week:
The surf forecast for The Island over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 15s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at The Island in the next 16 days are 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get stuck into what’s on offer for the next couple of weeks.
The only break on the radar here is The Island, a consistent, exposed reef break that needs a solid SW swell to really get going. Looking at the window, it’s a long wait for anything decent. The first few days are a write-off, with small, messy, cross-shore slop and scores that are basically zero. The wait for something worthwhile is painful.
Sunday the 19th kicks off with tiny, weak 1ft southwest swell (281 energy) and a solid cross-breeze – not worth paddling for. That theme continues through Monday and Tuesday with knee-high, wind-affected waves. The water temp is sitting around 61°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year.
Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd see a bit more size, with swell heights climbing to 5ft and even 7ft, and the combined energy jumps into the thousands (1662 on Thursday morning). But the wind is still cross or cross-shore, keeping the surface lumpy and the quality marginal at best. The period is around 14-16 seconds, so there’s some groundswell grunt, but it’s not lining up clean.
Now, the real standout window – and this is the one to carve out – is a couple of days in the first week of August. Friday the 1st of August and Saturday the 2nd finally see a proper SW swell push through, with 6ft to 10ft on offer. The period on Sunday the 3rd hits 18 seconds (very long period groundswell), and the energy is massive at 5591. The problem is the wind. It’s cross-onshore and fresh, blowing the surf out. For a reef like The Island, that long-period swell will be pitchy and powerful, but the wind is going to mess with the surface. It’s a setup that’s better for expert surfers only – anything over 8ft is serious business. For a skilled crew, you could score some heavy, long-period walls, but it won’t be glassy.
The final call on Monday the 3rd has 10ft waves again, but the wind drops to a gentle breeze, making it the most promising session of the whole run. Still, the cross-onshore wind will keep it from being perfect. Given the size and the reef, this is strictly for the experienced.
In summary, don’t get your hopes up for the first ten days. It’s a long, flat, choppy stretch. The first week of August brings proper size and energy, but the wind is a constant battle. The best chance for a session is the morning of Monday the 3rd, when the swell is maxed out and the wind is lightest. It’s a heavyweight day, not a learner’s wave.
Stay tuned, Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Wed night, light winds from the SW by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SW 19 | SW 18 | WSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
133 | 607 | 683 | 640 | 869 | 733 | 552 | 464 | 319 | 722 | 688 | 1325 | 1641 | 2061 | 1654 | 1171 | 886 | 801 | 755 | 1191 | 537 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:16PM0.00m | 5:55PM0.00m | 7:51PM0.00m | 10:07PM0.00m | 2:17AM0.00m | ||||||||||||||||
Low Tide | 5:04AM-0.00m | 6:50AM-0.00m | 8:56AM-0.00m | 11:16AM-0.00m | 1:23PM-0.00m | 3:04PM-0.00m | |||||||||||||||
7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | |
— | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 14 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 |
Feels °C | 8 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 15 | 14 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 18 | WSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | — | S 14 | — | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
69 | 607 | 683 | 640 | 869 | 733 | 552 | 464 | 319 | — | 4 | — | 1641 | 2061 | 1654 | 1171 | 886 | 801 | 755 | 1191 | 537 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | — | — | S 16 | — | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | — | — | — | SSE 14 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | S 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | — | S 12 |
133 | — | — | 5 | — | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | 21 | 29 | 24 | 24 | 17 | 20 | 20 | — | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
55 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 4 | NW 4 | NW 6 | NNW 4 | WNW 4 | — | NNW 3 | NW 4 | — | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 13 | — |
24 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 8 | — | 3 | 2 | — | 722 | 688 | 1325 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 721 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 249 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 0 | 24 | 346 | 356 | 1074 | 1083 | 1089 | 337 | 1028 | 29 | 29 | 1497 | 1026 | 1123 | 897 | 337 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eyre Peninsula | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the The Island Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for The Island provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at The Island can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our The Island 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 (The Island) 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 The Island 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Eyre Peninsula? If you are looking for accommodation near The Island, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Eyre Peninsula, consider staying in Thevenard which is 111 km (69 miles) away.










