The Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

The Island is the only spot on the radar for this 16-day run, and it’s a classic reef setup that’s exposed to the SW. The water’s sitting at 59°, which is pretty much where you’d expect it for this time of year, nothing wild there.

Right off the bat, Monday the 3rd of August isn’t a total write-off, but it’s not firing. We’ve got a 7ft SW swell with a long 14-second period, so there’s plenty of energy in the water (1606), but the wind is a cross-shore mess. It’s cleanable, but not the best. The afternoon drops to 6ft with the same long period, but the wind goes cross-onshore, so it’s a bit choppy.

Tuesday the 4th is where things start to look better. The morning has a 4ft SW swell, period drops to 12 seconds, but the wind is a nice cross-offshore, and the energy is moderate (611). It’s clean. But the real standout is Tuesday afternoon: glassy conditions, 4ft SW swell, and a 14-second period. The energy is still moderate (601), but with zero wind, this is going to be silky smooth. This is the best window of the first week. Small but perfect.

Wednesday the 5th is a write-off. Strong northerly winds and a messy cross-chop ruin the 3ft to 4ft swell. Not worth paddling out.

Thursday the 6th morning is a solid call. Clean offshore wind, 4ft SW swell with a 16-second period, and the energy is building (905). Good shape, good conditions. The afternoon goes cross-shore, but still rideable.

Friday the 7th morning has a bit more size at 6ft, but the wind is a fresh cross-offshore, so it’s clean but a bit lumpy. The afternoon gets blown out by strong NNW winds.

The weekend and into the start of the next week is a write-off. From Saturday the 8th through to Monday the 10th, we’ve got strong to gale-force winds from the north and west, with messy cross-onshore chop. The swell pumps up to 8ft, but it’s a total mess. The energy is huge (over 3000), but it’s not for surfing. For a reef setup with this much wind and swell, this looks more like a kite session than a paddle session.

Tuesday the 11th is still blown out, and by Wednesday the 12th, the swell hits 10ft with a massive 18-second period and energy at 4646. That’s a lot of water moving, but the cross-onshore wind ruins it. Only for the hardcore, and even then, it’s sketchy.

The second week starts to clean up around Thursday the 15th of August. The morning is clean with a cross-offshore wind, but the swell is only 3ft with a long 18-second period. Low energy (921), but clean. The afternoon jumps to 6ft, but the wind gets strong and lumpy.

Now, the true standout of the whole forecast comes on Sunday the 16th of August. Morning session: clean cross-offshore wind, 5ft SW swell with a 15-second period, and moderate energy (1053). The conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. This is the one to circle on your calendar. The afternoon is also clean but a bit more wind.

Monday the 17th of August morning is another belter. Offshore wind, 8ft SW swell, 16-second period, and energy is strong (2734). This is big, powerful, and clean. Only for experienced surfers, but it’s going to be pumping.

Finally, Tuesday the 18th of August morning is a great way to finish the run. Very light wind, clean, 6ft SW swell with a 16-second period, and solid energy (1777). Excellent conditions for experienced surfers.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a slow start with a few clean windows, but the real standout is Sunday the 16th and Monday the 17th of August. That’s the best surf on offer. The Island is a consistent reef, but it can get crowded sometimes, so get in early on those good days.

Rusty.

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