The Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's get into it. The Island is the only game in town for the next couple of weeks, and it’s got some proper moments lined up alongside some proper chaos.

We kick off this Saturday the 4th of July with a solid pulse of SW groundswell. The water is sitting at 61°F, which is pretty much spot-on average for the time of year, so no surprises there. Saturday morning sees a clean 6ft SW swell with 14-second period and a gentle offshore breeze from the east. That’s prime conditions for this reef – powerful, lined-up waves for the experienced crew. The combined energy is pumping at 1121, meaning there's plenty of push. Crowds are possible here, so get in early.

Sunday the 5th is the absolute standout. Morning brings a bigger 7ft SW swell at a very long 17 seconds, with a clean offshore ENE breeze at 12 mph. The wave energy ramps right up to 2400, and conditions are mint for the advanced surfer. This is the one to circle; long-period groundswell like this will wrap in beautifully on the reef. Afternoon holds excellent too, just slightly smaller at 6ft.

Monday the 6th eases off a touch with 4ft morning swell, still clean and cross-off. It’s a good session, but the real juice is gone. Afternoon drops to 3ft and becomes marginal.

We get a small but clean window on Tuesday the 7th morning – 4ft SW, 16 seconds, offshore wind. It’s a slow, clean, long-period swell that will produce some beautiful but widely spaced sets.

Then it gets ugly. From Wednesday the 8th through to Monday the 13th, the wind turns onshore or cross-shore, often strong, and the quality goes out the window. There’s plenty of swell – 6ft to 8ft – but it’s messy, choppy, and blown out. Friday the 10th and Saturday the 11th are particularly grim with rain and strong winds. This stretch is a write-off for paddle surfing; if you’re into kiting, the strong cross-onshore winds with 6ft to 8ft swell might get you interested, but for a surfboard it's a hard pass.

We get a glimmer of hope on Tuesday the 14th. The swell is still solid at 7ft from the SW with a long 16-second period, and winds turn cross-off from the SSE in the afternoon. It’s a big, powerful wave – only for experts – but it’s clean and the energy is massive at 3674.

Wednesday the 15th morning is another little highlight. A clean 6ft SW swell, light NNE breeze, and 2331 energy. It’s a beautiful morning window before the wind swings onshore in the arvo.

The rest of the run into the third week is a mix of onshore wind and poor quality. Thursday the 16th morning has a tiny 2ft clean wave but it’s barely worth a paddle. After that, it’s all westerly onshore flow and weakening swell. By Sunday the 19th, it’s flat and onshore.

Best call: Sunday the 5th of July – 7ft SW, 17-second period, offshore breeze. That’s the one to plan for.

Stay safe out there.
— Rusty

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