
Surf Forecasts:
The Island surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 15s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 15 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 14s period, SW swell with 1,761 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 16 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 15s 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 Wednesday (Sep 16) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at The Island in the next 16 days are 2.1m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s break down what The Island is doing over the next couple of weeks. There’s a slow start, but there’s a serious pulse coming through later on.
The early days are pretty quiet. Monday the 14th has a small 4ft SW swell with a 14-second period, but the wind is cross-on and it’s lumpy—not worth getting wet for much more than a float. Tuesday the 15th bumps up to 6-7ft, but the wind is howling at 35 km/h, so it’s clean-ish but messy, and honestly pretty average. Wednesday the 16th is a bit better with a 6ft SW swell and a 15-second period, and we get a fresh offshore breeze at 30 km/h in the morning—that’s the best of the early run. Still only marginal, so don’t expect magic.
From Thursday the 17th through to the 25th, it fades. Swells drop under 4ft, winds swing onshore or cross-shore, and the energy reading sits around 229 to 845—pretty weak stuff. There’s a little bump on Sunday the 20th with a 5ft SW swell and a 16-second period, but the wind is cross-on and it’s choppy. Not worth stressing about.
Then things light up. From Saturday the 26th, we get a proper pulse. The combined energy jumps to 5552 on Saturday morning with a 7ft SW swell and a 22-second period—that’s very long period groundswell, so it’s going to have serious push. The wind is cross-off at 25-35 km/h, so it stays clean. This is the standout window. Sunday the 27th is even bigger: 10ft SW swell with an 18-second period, energy at 4701 in the morning and 4438 in the afternoon. The afternoon has a moderate offshore at 25 km/h, so it’ll be glassy and lined up. This is expert territory—over 8ft, so if you’re not confident, give it a miss.
Monday the 28th still has 6ft in the morning, but the afternoon drops to 6ft with a 15-second period and a nice light cross-off at 5 km/h. That afternoon is looking clean and fun, with an energy reading of 1519. Tuesday the 29th holds 6ft with a 17-second period, but the wind gets a bit cross-off in the morning and then swings cross-shore in the afternoon. Still okay, but not as good as the Saturday/Sunday.
So the best on offer is Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th—that’s the big one. Big SW swell, long period, and decent winds. Just remember it’s a reef, so it’s for advanced crew only. The Island (Big Island) is consistent and exposed to that SW swell, and crowds are sometimes a factor, so you might get some company on the peak.
Water temp is 59°, which is about average for this time of year—nothing unusual there.
The first few days are pretty average, but the second week has a proper pulse. Keep an eye on that Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th. That’s the one to plan around.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon night, min 8°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SE on Tue afternoon, light winds from the NNW by Thu morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Thu afternoon, fresh winds from the N by Sat morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 12 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
456 | 823 | 1297 | 1290 | 1521 | 1585 | 1491 | 1279 | 726 | 478 | 199 | 313 | 215 | 164 | 144 | 116 | 148 | 803 | 1271 | 1661 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:53PM0.00m | 9:04PM0.00m | 10:53PM0.00m | 00:26AM0.00m | 1:55AM0.00m | |||||||||||||||
Low Tide | 5:44AM-0.00m | 8:00AM-0.00m | 10:01AM-0.00m | 11:41AM-0.00m | 1:10PM-0.00m | 2:43PM-0.00m | ||||||||||||||
— | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | |
6:22 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:27 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 30 | 20 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 11 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 24 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | S 16 | S 16 | WSW 12 |
456 | 823 | 1297 | 1290 | 1521 | 1585 | 1491 | 1279 | 726 | 478 | 199 | 313 | 215 | 164 | 144 | 108 | 73 | 5 | 5 | 1661 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | — | — | — | — | S 16 | — | SSE 16 | SE 4 | SSE 14 | SW 16 | SW 18 | S 17 | S 15 | WSW 20 | SW 18 | SW 17 | — | — | SW 15 |
154 | — | — | — | — | 19 | — | 26 | 4 | 19 | 198 | 201 | 6 | 4 | 38 | 116 | 148 | — | — | 174 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 15 | — | S 13 | S 18 | — | — | SW 16 | — | SW 15 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17 | — | 3 | 6 | — | — | 40 | — | 33 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 5 | SSE 5 | ENE 3 | ESE 5 | SSE 4 | ENE 3 | NE 3 | — | — | N 4 | NNW 4 | N 3 | N 4 | NNW 4 | N 4 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | SW 12 |
— | — | 53 | 44 | 2 | 39 | 10 | 2 | 6 | — | — | 19 | 5 | 5 | 27 | 8 | 23 | 803 | 1271 | 1026 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 479 | 154 | 337 | 337 | 337 | 89 | 29 | 5 | 51 | 13 | 24 | 412 | 250 | 24 | 412 | 250 | 356 | 1150 | 1083 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eyre Peninsula | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










