Caves (Sandsend) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll level with you—this 16-day window for Caves (Sandsend) is a proper test of patience. We’ve got a long, dry spell ahead before anything worth paddling out for shows up. The first week and a half is basically flat to tiny, with poor surf conditions day after day. It’s not until Thursday, August 6th, that we finally see a pulse of life, and even then, it’s a narrow window.

The water temp is sitting at 62°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t freeze while you’re waiting.

So, the first real glimmer of hope hits on Thursday morning, August 6th. We’ve got a solid 8ft swell from the north, with a period of 9 seconds, and it’s pumping out a combined energy of 1028 (moderate to strong). The wind is offshore from the west at 15 mph, which should keep it clean. Now, this is a big swell—over 8ft—so this is strictly for the experienced crew. Beginners, sit this one out. The direction is spot on for Caves, being a north swell and an exposed point break, so it’s set up to handle that energy. Expect good surf conditions, but be aware, this is an inconsistent spot, so don’t assume it’s pumping every set. And with that size, it might be a bit much for the usual lineup.

The afternoon of the 6th drops a notch to 8ft, still with offshore wind, but the energy drops to 885 (moderate). It’s still good, but the morning is the standout.

Then Friday morning, August 7th, offers a smaller but still solid 6ft from the north, with a 9-second period and 442 energy (moderate). The wind is light from the northwest, so it’ll be clean. This is a more manageable size for the intermediate surfer, and the quality is good. But the afternoon turns ugly with a cross-onshore wind, so don’t sleep in.

After that, it’s back to the doldrums. The rest of the second week is a mix of small, weak swells and poor winds. The 11th of August has a 5ft northeasterly swell, but the period is a short 6 seconds and the wind is messy, so it’s not worth your time.

So, to sum it up: the only real window is Thursday morning, August 6th. That’s the one. It’s a big, powerful north swell with clean offshore wind, and it’s the best on offer by a long shot. Friday morning is a decent backup if you miss it. The rest? A whole lot of waiting. The crowds at Caves are sometimes an issue, but with that size and the long quiet spell, you might have it to yourself if you’re early.

Rusty.

Read more