Sandsend Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what we’ve got coming up for Sandsend Bay over the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, I’m not going to sugar-coat it – this stretch looks flat and sleepy for days. There’s a bit of swell trying to show, but nothing that will get you out of bed early. The water temp is sitting at a mild 62°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t be freezing while you’re sitting there waiting for a wave.

For the first week, from Thursday 13th right through to Wednesday 19th, we’re looking at tiny, weak surf. Swell heights hover around 1ft to 3ft, and the energy is really low – mostly in the 20s and 30s (weak energy). A couple of mornings, like Friday 14th and Saturday 15th, have clean conditions with light offshore or cross-off winds, but there’s just not enough push. It’s a long, slow grind with no standouts. Even the glassy Sunday morning on 16th, with 1ft and glassy conditions, is just too small to bother.

Into the second week, from Thursday 20th, we start to see a tiny uptick – Thursday morning has 3ft with clean cross-off winds, and the energy climbs slightly to 84 (still weak). But it’s still poor surf. The wind swings messy in the afternoons. Friday 21st stays cross and small.

Then, a serious change arrives on Monday 24th. Swell jumps to 6ft, energy rockets to 321 (moderate energy), but the wind is howling onshore from the east at 15-19 mph. That’s going to be a washing machine. Not paddleable. If you’re into kitesurfing, this setup might look interesting, because the wind and swell are both there, but the paddle-in crew will be struggling.

Tuesday 25th pushes even bigger – 8ft from the NNE with energy up at 875 (strong energy). But again, the wind is fresh cross-onshore. This is expert-only territory, and even then, it’s going to be lumpy and tough. The period is only 8 seconds, so it’s windswell, not groundswell. Not ideal.

Wednesday 26th stays chunky – 5ft to 6ft – but still cross-onshore and choppy. Thursday 27th drops back to 4ft, still wind-affected. The whole stretch from 24th to 27th has moderate to strong energy, but the wind kills the quality.

There is no day in this 16-day window that I’d call a true standout. The best of a bad bunch is probably Thursday 20th morning – 3ft, clean, cross-off wind, energy 84. But it’s weak and small. Honestly, if you’re desperate, that’s your window. But don’t expect much.

If you’re a beginner, the swell on 24th and 25th is way too big and messy. Experts might find something on Tuesday 25th, but it’s a battle.

Bottom line: this is a long, quiet run. The surf is poor across the board. Keep your board in the car and watch the wind forecasts – things can change, but for now, it’s a waiting game.

- Rusty

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