The Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s coming up for The Island. This is a solid reef setup, exposed to a SW swell, and it’s got a proper pulse of energy headed our way. We’re looking at a real standout window that’ll get the heart racing, but you’ll have to sit through some average days first.

Things kick off proper on Wednesday, July 15th. We’ve got a clean 5 ft SW groundswell rolling in with a very long 15-second period, and the combined energy is strong to very strong (1112). The water temp is sitting at 60°, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing too wild there. The wind is glassy from the north at just 3 mph. That’s as good as it gets for conditions. This is a top-tier window for experienced surfers, but with that size and power, it’s no place for beginners. It’s going to hold a fair bit of water, and with a long period like that, expect big, powerful lines that’ll be best handled by those who know what they’re doing. Crowds are sometimes an issue here, so you might have some company.

Thursday morning the 16th sees a jump in energy (1540) but the wind swings cross-off from the NNE at 12 mph, so it’s a bit less perfect but still clean. The swell hangs around 5 ft to 5 ft on a 15 to 17-second pulse. The afternoons get a bit cross, so the morning is the call if you’re keen.

Friday the 17th drops a touch, with 4 ft SW swell and energy falling to between 785 and 897. The wind is either cross-off or cross, so it’s surfable but not a standout.

Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th see the swell drop further, down into the 1 ft to 3 ft range with weak to moderate energy (258 to 618). Winds get cross and a bit choppy. Not much to write home about.

Monday the 20th through Tuesday the 21st sees the swell bounce back to 4 ft to 5 ft, but the winds are cross or onshore, and the energy is still moderate to strong (574 to 684). It’s marginal, and the quality is lacking.

There’s a bit of a lull from Wednesday the 22nd into Thursday the 23rd, with smaller swell and poor to marginal conditions, though Thursday morning shows a 5 ft SW groundswell with a 15-second period and energy pushing 941. Winds are light cross-onshore, so it’s a bit bumpy but there’s some power.

Then, mark your calendar for Saturday, July 25th. This is the real highlight. We’ve got a cracking 7 ft to 7 ft SW groundswell, period hitting 18 seconds, and the combined energy is huge (2473 on the morning). The wind is offshore from the ENE at 9 mph on Saturday morning. That is an absolute treat. Clean, powerful, and lined up. This is for experienced surfers only—over 8 ft later in the day, it’ll be chunky and expert-only. Saturday morning is the standout, no question. Long period groundswell of that size loves a reef like The Island.

Sunday the 26th goes a bit messy with onshore wind, and the swell drops to 5 ft to 5 ft.

Monday, July 27th is another strong pulse, with a 5 ft to 8 ft SW swell, period 16 to 17 seconds, and massive energy (2597 to 4384). The winds are cross-off or cross, and clean, but that size (8 ft) is heavy. Definitely for the advanced crew. Tuesday the 28th settles down with 4 ft to 4 ft, clean cross-off winds, a nice easy option for the less hectic days.

From Wednesday the 29th through Thursday the 30th, the swell fades back down to smaller, weaker waves (2 ft to 3 ft) and short to very long periods, but the winds and chop make it a poor bet. It’s not worth the trip.

So, the best on offer: Wednesday, July 15th afternoon is a top-tier runner, clean and powerful. But the absolute gem is Saturday, July 25th morning—offshore wind, strong SW groundswell, long period. That’s the one to aim for. The Island is a consistent reef, so it doesn’t stay flat for long.

Rusty

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