Sandsend Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, it’s Rusty here. Let’s have a look at the next couple of weeks for the Sandsend Bay area. I’ve got to be straight with you – this stretch of coast is going to be pretty quiet for the most part. We’ve got a long, slow run of small, messy surf before things finally start to show some life around the start of September. So, if you’re itching for a wave, you’ll need some patience.

The first real chance of a wave that’s worth getting wet for is this Sunday morning, the 23rd of August. The swell will be a modest 4ft from the NNE with a period of 8 seconds, and the wind is looking light and offshore from the WNW. It’ll be clean, that’s for sure, but it’s not going to be world-class. The combined energy is moderate at 211, so there’s a little bit of push there, but it’s more of a grovel than a groom. After that, it just flatlines. From Sunday afternoon through to the end of the month, it’s a wasteland – tiny waves, onshore winds, and a lot of chop. You’re looking at a solid 8-to-9-day gap with absolutely nothing to get excited about. The swell windows are all under 3ft with weak energy readings mostly in the double digits. It’s just a blank run.

Then, the last day of August, Monday the 31st, we see a small pulse arrive. Early morning brings a 5ft NNE swell, but the period is still short at 8 seconds. It’s surfable, but the wind will be a factor later in the day, getting fresh. Not a standout.

Okay, so let's get to the good stuff. The real standout in this whole 16-day window is the 1st and 2nd of September. Tuesday the 1st, we’ve got a proper pulse of energy arriving. The morning will see the swell at 6ft from the north with a period of 9 seconds. The combined energy jumps right up to 487, which is a strong, solid push of water. The wind is forecast to be a moderate offshore from the west, keeping things clean, but there might be some rain showers around to keep you honest. This is the best size and energy we see all window, and it's looking like the pick of the bunch.

The following day, Wednesday the 2nd, offers the cleanest conditions. The swell drops a touch to 5ft, but the period is still 8 seconds and the energy is a solid 326. The big news here is the wind – it goes light and offshore from the west, which will leave the surface glassy and perfect. This is your day for the cleanest, most user-friendly waves. The offshore wind is a huge positive. This is the day I’d be calling in sick for.

After that, the swell fades away again. Thursday the 3rd has a bit of size at 6ft, but the period stretches a little and the wind is cross-off, not quite as clean, and the energy dips to 466. It’s still rideable, but it’s not as good as the previous two days. Then we’re back to small, poor surf for the rest of the week. It’s a typical end to the window, fading back out.

So, overall, there’s a long, boring stretch ahead. The main event is that Tuesday and Wednesday window in the first week of September. For Sandsend Bay, which is a fairly exposed beach setup, that north swell is the one to watch. The period is only in the 8-9 second range, so it’s not a long-period groundswell, but it will still offer some shape. The moderate offshore winds on the 1st and the light offshore on the 2nd are what really make it. I’d say Tuesday the 1st is the standout for power and size, but Wednesday the 2nd is the one for clean waves without the hassle.

Just remember, the forecast for the first couple of days is solid, but anything that far out is always a little less certain. Keep an eye on it.

This is Rusty, signing off.

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