The Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for The Island.

It's a bit of a slow start, to be honest. We've got a solid, long-period SW groundswell on the way, but the wind is going to mess it up for the first few days. The Island is exposed to the SW, so that's the right direction, but that initial energy is going to be fighting a messy cross-shore wind. The water temp is sitting at 59°, which is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual there.

The opening weekend (1st and 2nd of August) is a write-off. It's clean but the wind is wrong, making it choppy and horrible. Don't even bother. The start of the new week (3rd August) is only slightly better, with a light wind but still cross-onshore, leaving the waves a bit bumpy. The island is a consistent reef break, so it'll hold the swell, but the conditions just aren't there.

We get a bit of a lull in the swell on the 4th and 5th, with the energy dropping right off. The 4th Tuesday morning actually goes clean with a cross-offshore NE wind, but the swell is down to 4 ft. It's a little weak, only 605 (moderate energy) and the period is a solid 15 seconds, so it might be a bit fickle for the size. A surfer could get a few but it's not a standout.

The wind gets messy again through the 5th and 6th, but by the 7th of August, Friday morning, the wind switches to a clean cross-offshore from the N. The swell is back up to 6 ft from the SW, with a 18-second period and a huge energy reading of 2289 (strong). That's a serious amount of water moving. The problem is that at 6 ft and a period that long, on a reef break, it will be throwing out some heavy, hollow waves. It's a solid call for advanced surfers only, but it could be a ripper of a session if you've got the skills.

Then we get smashed by a storm on the 8th and 9th of August. A near-gale force onshore wind of 31 mph on the Saturday is going to be a total disaster. This is a kitesurfer's dream, not a paddle surfer's. The swell is there but it's blown out completely. Sunday is hardly any better with a strong cross-onshore. Avoid the water.

The second week is where the real promise lies. Monday the 10th of August sees a massive jump in size, with 10 ft of SW swell. That's a lot of juice, with the energy reading hitting 4877 (very strong). The wind is cross-shore, so it's not perfect, but at that size it's going to be heavy and powerful for experts only. The wind cleans up on Tuesday the 11th, with a cross-offshore NNE breeze. The swell holds at 8 ft to 8 ft, and it's still very strong (3056 energy). This is a big, powerful, clean swell for the brave.

Now, the absolute standout of the whole 16-day stretch is Wednesday the 12th of August. The wind swings to a light offshore from the ENE, and the swell is a very manageable 6 ft. The energy is still solid at 1083 (moderate to strong), but it's a nice size for a well-set reef. The period is 13 seconds, so it's a proper groundswell. The morning is described as "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." This is the one to circle on the calendar. It's a glassy, clean, offshore day at a classic reef break. The crowds are listed as "sometimes" so you might have some company, but it's a quality session on offer.

We get a bit of a drop-off towards the end of the week, but Friday the 14th of August is another cracker. A clean offshore wind from the E with a 7 ft SW swell and a 16-second period. That's a pumping, long-period groundswell with clean conditions. The energy is 2597 (strong). This is a heavy, powerful wave for advanced surfers, but it's a gem.

The following Saturday morning (15th August) is also looking good, with a moderate offshore wind and a clean 5 ft swell. It's a step down in size but still a very good wave. The run finishes on Sunday the 16th of August with a glassy afternoon session, where the wind drops to nothing. The swell is a nice 5 ft, and the energy is 1139. The conditions are described as "excellent" for experienced surfers. A perfect way to end the forecast period.

So, the call is this: ignore the first week. The standout is Wednesday the 12th of August for a perfect, clean, offshore day at a solid but not too big size. The second best bet is the Friday the 14th if you want a bigger, more powerful, clean wave. The Island is a consistent reef, and when it's clean, it's a classic.

Rusty.

Read more