The Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's on the menu for the next couple of weeks.

Straight up, it’s a bit of a slow start and a mixed bag through the period. The Island is a consistent reef break that really needs a clean SW swell to line up, and we’re getting pulses of that all through, but the wind is going to be the main character in this story, and sometimes not in a good way.

We kick off on Friday, 17th July, but it’s not what you’d call firing. The swell is a clean 4ft from the SW with a long 16-second period, which means there’s some good energy in the water (combined energy of 895). The problem is the wind is getting messy on the first day, making it choppy. Water temp is sitting at 60°, which is about normal for this time of year, so nothing wild there.

The standout window is actually the following week. The best looking day is definitely Thursday, 23rd July. We’ve got the biggest swell of the run building to 6ft from the SW, with a solid 14-second period. That’s proper groundswell. The combined energy jumps up to 1,334, which is a strong, powerful push. The wind is a gentle cross-shore, keeping it clean and lined up. This is the one for the experienced crew. For the advanced surfers, the size and power will be a treat, but the wave direction is bang on the optimum for The Island, so it should be well-shaped.

Friday, 24th July is also a beauty. The swell drops a touch to 5ft, still from the SW, but the wind goes light and cross-offshore. That’s glassy, clean conditions. The energy is still strong (806), and it will be a welcome change from the windier days. Keep in mind, this spot can get crowded sometimes, so get there early.

The rest of the month is a bit of a write-off after that. The wind gets strong and onshore from the 25th through the 30th of July, with a few days of fresh breezes creating lumpy, messy conditions. There’s a decent size swell (5ft) on the 28th, but the cross-onshore wind just ruins it. The 31st of July sees a big bump in energy (1,597) but again, it’s paired with a fresh cross-onshore wind, making it a messy prospect.

We do see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel on Saturday, 1st August. The swell is a solid 4ft from the SW, period is 16 seconds, and the wind finally swings clean cross-offshore. The energy is still strong (1,091). It’s a bit far out to call it a guarantee, but it’s a promising sign after a long stretch of howling wind.

So, to wrap it up, don't bother with the first few days. Wait for the 23rd and 24th of July – that’s where the magic is. The rest of the time, it’s either too small, too windy, or just plain messy. The Island is a wave that can handle a bit of size, but it needs the wind to play ball.

Rusty.

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