Caves (Sandsend) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty here. Let me level with you straight up: the next couple of weeks are looking pretty damn ordinary for a surf. We’ve got a real dry spell on our hands, and it’s going to take a while before there’s anything worth paddling out for.

The first real chance of a wave comes on Sunday the 16th. Before that, it’s a whole lot of nothing. Monday through to Saturday, the swell is just too small and messy to even bother with. It’s not just flat, it’s frustratingly flat. You’ll see a few tiny bumps, but nothing that’ll get your heart racing.

So, let’s talk about that Sunday. The morning of the 16th is the pick of the whole period. We’ve got a tiny 3ft of swell rolling in from the north, but the magic is in the conditions. The wind is glassy, completely dead, and the water is clean. It’s a gentle 5 km/h from the WNW, and the surf is just about as clean as it gets. It’s small, sure, but it’s surfable and glassy. The wave energy is weak though, so don’t expect any power. It’ll be a longboard or a funboard kind of day, and you’ll be fighting for the few little peaks that pop up. This is a spot that’s inconsistent at the best of times, so catching it on a glassy day is a bit of a treat.

The water temp is sitting at 62°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you might get away with a slightly thinner wetsuit.

Now, the rest of the week is a real grind. The 17th and 18th have some small, clean waves in the mornings, with the 18th seeing a 2ft to 2ft swell and glassy conditions. But it’s all still pretty weak and very ordinary. The energy is still low, and the waves are just not doing much.

The following week, starting Monday the 24th, we finally see a bit more size. The swell is due to push up to 4ft on the Monday and 5ft on the Tuesday, but the wind is howling. We’re talking 35 km/h cross-offshore winds, which is going to make it messy and hard work. The energy is starting to build, but with that wind, it’s going to be a battle. It might be one for the kitesurfers, not the paddle surfers.

Honestly, the outlook is bleak. There’s nothing here that’s a standout. The only thing worth a look is that glassy Sunday morning. It’s small, it’s weak, but it’s clean. For the rest of the 16 days, you’re probably better off finding another hobby. The forecast can always change, but right now, it’s looking like a long, flat stretch.

Rusty out.

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