The Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for The Island. It’s a reef break that’s exposed to the SW, and it’s consistent, so there’s always potential. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing to write home about.

First thing, the early part of the week is rough. Tuesday the 28th is a write-off, with a solid 6ft to 7ft SW swell but it’s getting smashed by a strong cross-onshore wind. It’s just lumpy and messy, not worth paddling out for.

Wednesday the 29th stays average. The swell is still pushing 7ft to 8ft from the SW, with a long period around 15-16 seconds, but that cross-shore wind kicks up a cross-chop. It’s marginal at best, and for an advanced reef break, you’ll be fighting the conditions.

Now, Thursday the 30th is where we get a little window. The swell drops to 5ft from the SW, period at 13 seconds, and the wind swings to a light NE cross-off in the morning, then goes glassy in the afternoon. That’s clean surf, and the combined energy is moderate (802 in the morning, 609 in the afternoon). This is the best of the early run, but it’s not a big day. The swell is manageable for most, but it ain't a standout.

Friday the 31st and Saturday the 1st of August see the swell bump up a bit, but the wind turns ugly again. Friday’s 3ft swell is too small with a cross-on wind, and Saturday sees a 5ft to 6ft SW groundswell with a very long 18-second period, but it’s getting chopped up by a fresh cross-shore. Not your day.

We get a clean run from Sunday the 2nd through to Tuesday the 4th, but the swell is all over the shop. Sunday has a 5ft to 6ft SW swell with clean conditions and a cross-off wind, but it’s not pumping. The real highlight comes late on Monday the 3rd. The swell is 6ft from the SW, period at 13 seconds, and the wind goes light offshore from the east. That’s clean, glassy conditions, and the combined energy is moderate (1025). This is a solid window for experienced surfers – the reef will be working. It’s not huge, but it’s clean.

The rest of the first week is a mix of marginal and poor. The second week gets more interesting but also more uncertain. From the 9th of August, we see a big pulse. Sunday the 9th afternoon kicks up a 10ft swell from the WSW, period at 16 seconds, with a glassy wind in the morning but onshore in the afternoon. The combined energy is massive (7895). That’s a strong, powerful groundswell. For a reef break, this could be epic, but it’s a long-range call, so keep an eye on it. That swell is only for experts at that size.

The 10th and 11th of August are blown out by strong winds, so don’t bother. Then on Wednesday the 12th of August, there’s a potential gem: a 8ft SW swell with glassy conditions and zero wind. The combined energy is strong (2410). This is set up for excellent surf, but again, it’s a long way out and only for the experienced crew.

Overall, the standout is the late Monday the 3rd session for clean, manageable waves. The big Sunday the 9th is the one to watch for the future, but it’s a wait-and-see deal. For the rest, you’ll be picking through a lot of average days.

Rusty.

Read more