The Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for The Island over the next couple of weeks.

Overall, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. We’ve got a solid pulse of swell coming through from the southwest, but the wind is going to be a real pain for a lot of the time. The water is sitting at 60.3°, which is about normal for this time of year, so nothing to worry about there.

The first sniff of action is on Sunday the 19th, but honestly, it’s not much to get excited about. We’ve got a 3.3ft southwest swell running with a very long 18-second period, and the combined energy is moderate (618). The problem is a cross-shore wind from the NNW at 12 mph. It’s surfable, but the wave comment is pretty clear – it’s marginal. The wind stays messy through Monday, with a 3.9ft to 4.6ft southwest swell, still moderate energy (660 to 874), but the conditions are choppy.

Tuesday the 21st stays in the same grotty pattern. The swell drops a touch to 4.3ft, period is still a solid 13 seconds, but the wind is all wrong. The afternoon on the 22nd sees the swell push up to 4.9ft, but with a 16 mph cross-shore, it’s just a messy, lumpy affair. The models are calling it poor, and I’m not going to argue.

Now, Thursday the 23rd is where things get interesting, but it’s not for the faint-hearted. The swell jumps to 6.9ft, with a 14-second period in the morning, and the combined energy is strong (1709). By the afternoon, that period stretches to 16 seconds, and the energy is very strong (2009). The wind, however, is a fresh cross-shore at 19 mph. This is not a beginner’s day – it’s big, powerful, and lumpy. This is a reef break, so it’ll handle that long-period groundswell, but the wind will make it messy. Only for the experienced crew.

Friday the 24th is still big, with a 5.6ft to 5.2ft southwest swell, but the wind is cross-onshore, so it’s going to be a choppy mess. The energy is still moderate to strong (1006 to 1228), but the quality is poor.

After a grim few days, we finally get a break in the wind. Sunday the 26th morning is the first real standout. The swell is down to a clean 3.6ft from the southwest, with a 12-second period. The magic is the wind – a light cross-offshore from the NNE at 9 mph. The wave comment says “expect good surf conditions,” and the energy is moderate (371). This is your classic, clean morning session. The Island is a consistent reef, so it’ll be working, and the conditions will be glassy. Hands down the best on offer in the first week.

The following week starts quiet, with tiny 1.6ft swell and strong winds. But then, Tuesday the 28th throws a big one. A 7.2ft swell from the west, with a 16-second period, and the combined energy is massive (3233). The wind is onshore, though, which is a real shame. That’s a powerful, heavy groundswell, but it’s going to be blown out. This is a case where the setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, as the wind is howling onshore.

The action picks up again on the 29th. A 6.2ft southwest swell, 13-second period, and the wind turns cross-offshore from the SSE at 12 mph. The wave comment says “marginal,” but the energy is strong (1246), and the clean wind will make it a lot more appealing. Not a classic, but a solid session.

Thursday the 30th morning is the real standout of the second week. The swell is 6.2ft from the southwest, period is 11 seconds, and the wind is a perfect cross-offshore from the NE at just 3 mph. The wave comment is “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers,” and the energy is strong (1250). This is a serious session for the advanced crew. The reef will handle that swell beautifully, and the wind will leave it glassy. It’s over 5ft, so it’s not for beginners, but for the experienced, it’s the pick of the bunch.

The end of the forecast period sees a drop in size, but Sunday the 2nd of August morning is a lovely little glassy number. The swell is 3.6ft from the southwest, with a very long 19-second period, and the wind is glassy from the east. The wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions,” and the energy is moderate (900). The crowd is listed as “sometimes,” so you might have a few mates out, but it’ll be a clean, fun session.

Monday the 3rd of August morning

Read more