The Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, with a look at what’s coming up for The Island. We’ve got a solid 16-day window, but it’s a bit of a mixed bag – there’s a gap at the start with no real surf to speak of, so we’re kicking things off on Thursday morning, 30th July.

First up, Thursday morning the 30th is the real standout. The Island is seeing a clean 5 ft swell from the southwest, with a 13-second period. The wind is a light 6 mph from the east-northeast, making it cross-offshore and clean. The combined swell energy is sitting at 732 (moderate), and the water temp is about average for this time of year. This is the best on offer in the first week – good shape, decent size, and it’s a reef break, so those long-period lines will really wrap in. It’s an advanced wave, and crowds are possible, so you’ll want to be out early.

Thursday afternoon fades a little, dropping to 4 ft from the same direction, but with a cross-shore breeze, it’s not as crisp. Friday the 31st drops right off to 3 ft, then Saturday 1st August picks up again to 4 ft, but the wind cranks to 19 mph from the north, making it lumpy and cross-shore – not worth it. Sunday 2nd August is a write-off with 19 mph winds and a messy 6 ft cross-on swell.

Then we hit Monday morning 3rd August – beauty. The wind goes glassy, only 3 mph from the east-southeast, and the swell is a solid 6 ft from the southwest. The combined energy is 1183 (strong), and it’s glassy. This is for experienced surfers only, as it’s pushing over 5 ft, but the quality is excellent. Tuesday 4th sees a drop to 4 ft, still clean in the morning, but nothing special.

The next real moment to watch is Wednesday 5th August morning, with a 5 ft swell and a long 18-second period, clean cross-off wind – lots of energy (1442, strong). Thursday 6th August afternoon is also prime: 5 ft, 16-second period, and the wind drops to 3 mph from the northeast, making it glassy clean. That’s a top pick for the second half of the first week.

The weekend of 8th and 9th August is out – strong winds on Saturday with 28 mph, and then Sunday 9th brings heavy onshore winds and a chunky 10 ft swell that’s just blown out. Monday 10th is still messy with 8 ft and cross-on wind.

The final standout is Wednesday 12th August morning – a huge 8 ft swell from the southwest, with a 19-second period and clean cross-off wind. The combined energy is massive at 8771 (very strong). This is for experts only, as it’s over 8 ft, and that long period will make it a freight train on the reef. It’s promising but a bit far out, so keep an eye on it. Thursday 13th and Friday 14th are windy and blown out again.

So, if you’re picking one, Thursday morning 30th July is the first true gem. Monday 3rd August is a close second for the glassy conditions. The long-range stuff on 12th August is worth noting, but it’s a bit of a gamble this far out.

Rusty.

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