Caves (Sandsend) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let's break it down.

Looking at the extended forecast, we're in for a rough patch. The first week and a half is basically a washout. There's a massive gap with nothing worth paddling out for until a tiny window opens up right at the very end.

The only spot we're tracking is Caves (Sandsend). It's a point break that needs a north swell, and it's known to be inconsistent, so don't expect it to fire on a regular basis.

Starting Friday the 17th, forget it. We've got a strong cross-offshore wind at 15.5 mph, and the water is 59.5°, which is a bit warmer than usual for this time of year, but it doesn't matter because the swell energy is zero (0). The whole weekend is the same story. Saturday the 18th sees the swell try to build, with 5.9ft to 6.2ft from the north-northeast, but the wind is a fresh 18.6 mph cross-off, making it a total mess. The energy climbs a bit (317 and 395), but it's all wind and no quality.

Sunday the 19th is the closest we get to a pulse in the first week. The swell hits 7.9ft from the north-northeast with a period of 10 seconds, and the energy is pumping hard (1094). The wind is a moderate cross-off, so it's clean on the surface, but the report says it's "marginal" due to tide or something. At 7.9ft, this is getting into the "experienced only" territory, and with that period, it could be a bit straight and fast for the point. Still, if you're a local who knows the bank, Sunday morning on the 19th is the only real chance to get wet, and it's a shame it's not a total standout.

Then it flatlines again. Monday the 20th drops to 4.3ft, and the wind swings cross-shore, making it choppy. From Tuesday the 21st all the way through to Friday the 31st of July, it's a desert. Swell drops to knee-high or nothing, and the wind is either onshore or just too weak to matter. The energy readings are in the single digits or low double digits for days. There's a full 12-day stretch where the best score is a "1" out of 10, and that's just for a brief moment of marginal conditions. Honestly, if you're looking to paddle, you're better off finding a new hobby for a week.

Finally, we get a little flicker on Saturday the 1st of August. Saturday morning looks like our best bet of the whole outlook. The swell is a clean 4.3ft from the north, with a period of 7 seconds. The wind is glassy – a light 3.1 mph from the south-southwest. The energy is moderate (161). It's a "surfable" wave, but it's early in the morning. By afternoon, the wind swings onshore and ruins it. For a break that's already inconsistent, this is a rare moment of glassy, clean conditions. It's not a giant, but if you're itching for a wave, that's the one to aim for.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a bust. Hold out for the glassy morning of Saturday the 1st of August at Caves.

That's the word from the beach. Catch ya later.

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