The Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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.

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