The Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s talk about The Island. It’s a reef break that’s consistent and exposed to the SW, with a crowd likely when it’s good. The water temp is 59°F, which is about 1°F cooler than average for this time of year – just a little on the crisp side.

We’ve got a bit of a wait. Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th are a total loss – strong onshore wind and messy surf. Don’t bother.

Friday 21st shows some life. The swell is 6ft from the SW with a long 16-second period, and the combined energy is strong at 1799. The wind is cross-shore and a bit lumpy, so it’s marginal, but there are waves. The crowd is sometimes around.

Saturday 22nd morning is the early pick: 6ft SW swell, 15-second period, a light 6 mph cross-shore breeze from the north, and clean conditions. The energy is strong (1612), and that reef will be handling the long-period groundswell nicely. The crowds are possible, but it’s a Saturday, so it’s manageable.

Sunday 23rd morning is a serious one. The swell holds at 6ft from the SW, the period stretches to 17 seconds, and the wind is a clean cross-offshore from the NNE at 12 mph. The combined energy is strong at 1675, and the conditions are clean. This is a proper session for the advanced crew – the reef will be packing some punch.

The real gem is Monday 24th morning. The swell drops to 4ft, but the period is still a solid 14 seconds, and the wind is glassy – a 3 mph NNE breeze, making it glassy. The energy is moderate (520), but for a reef break, that long-period groundswell in glassy conditions is a dream. The water will be like a mirror, and the waves will be clean, long, and lined up. This is the best on offer. Expect very good surf conditions.

After that, the week gets messy. Tuesday 25th to Wednesday 26th has strong onshore winds and choppy, poor surf, with the swell bumping to 6ft but ruined by the wind. Thursday 27th afternoon has a 6ft SW swell with a 17-second period, but the cross-onshore wind is too strong at 16 mph, making it a choppy mess. Friday 28th looks like a kite day: 7ft SW swell, but with a fresh 19 mph cross-shore wind, it’s lumpy and blown out.

The second week is a mix. Sunday 30th morning is promising: a 3ft SSW swell with a 12-second period, a gentle offshore breeze from the east at 9 mph, and clean conditions. The energy is weak (316), but it’s a fun, small morning wave. The crowd is sometimes around, but it’ll be quiet.

The long-range standout is Thursday 3rd September morning. The swell is 4ft from the SW with a 16-second period, the wind is a light cross-offshore from the NE at 6 mph, and the conditions are clean. The energy is moderate (903), and the forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” This one is promising, but it’s a ways out – keep an eye on it.

Overall, the best bets are Monday 24th morning for the glassy, clean conditions, and Sunday 23rd morning for the bigger, powerful groundswell. The rest of the window is a mix of marginal and poor, with a couple of clean windows in the second week.

Rusty.

Read more