Sandwood Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on offer up at Sandwood Bay. It’s a wild, exposed beach and reef setup that’s fairly consistent but needs the right conditions to come together. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so nothing to worry about there.

Honestly, the first week is a tough watch. Monday the 20th kicks off with a 4 ft WNW swell but that cross-on wind is ruining it straight away, leaving it choppy and messy. The combined energy is moderate (252), but the quality is poor. That pattern pretty much sticks through the rest of July. The wind stays cross-on or cross-shore, often strong, and the swell hangs around the 4 ft to 5 ft mark but can’t get clean. By Thursday the 24th, the swell builds to 8 ft (971 combined energy), but it’s howling with a 25 mph cross-shore, creating a real mess. That’s more for the kite crew than a paddle surfer.

Saturday the 25th sees a small improvement in the afternoon with a 6 ft WNW swell and a 10-second period, but the wind is still cross-shore, so it’s only a marginal call. The 7 ft morning is cleaner but the wind is on it. A real shame. Sunday the 26th and Monday the 27th have some offshore wind, but the swell is dropping and the period is short, so you’re looking at poor conditions.

Now, here’s the glimmer. Tuesday the 28th of July morning is the standout. Glassy conditions with a light 3 mph wind from the SW, and a 4 ft W swell with a 10-second period. The combined energy is moderate (346), and the whole feel is clean. It’s not a big day, but it will be the best looking surf of the whole run. The crowds are rare here, so you’ll have it peaceful.

Wednesday the 29th morning is also good with a clean, cross-off wind and a 5 ft W swell, but the period is a short 7 seconds so it’ll be a bit bouncy. Thursday the 30th morning is another glassy one, with a 3 ft W swell and a 9-second period, offering clean, small waves. Both of these are good backup options.

The first week of August is a write-off. The swell drops right out, winds are strong, and the conditions are poor until maybe Monday the 3rd of August morning, which is a week away. That’s a big 8 ft NW swell with a 9-second period and a clean cross-off wind, but the wind is a strong 25 mph, so it’s a marginal call at best and only for the experts. The combined energy is strong (1058), but that wind is a serious problem.

So, to be honest, the best on offer is the glassy Tuesday the 28th of July morning. It’s not a big swell, but it’s clean, and after a week of junk, that’s a win. The Wednesday and Thursday mornings are solid backups. The rest of the window is a long grind of poor conditions.

Rusty.

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