Sandy Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ve got to be straight with you – this outlook is a tough one. Over the next 16 days, Sandy Beach (Sandys-Beach) is looking at a pretty grim run of surf. The whole period is a write-off for quality waves, with not a single standout day to get excited about. The main issue is a persistent, strong cross-shore wind from the ENE that just won’t let up, keeping the surface lumpy and messy. The swell is mostly short-period windswell from the ENE, with a combined energy that starts moderate (around 520-922) and builds into strong territory (over 1000). But with that wind and the short period, it’s all chop and no form.

The water temperature is sitting at 81°F, which is about average for this time of year—nothing unusual there.

Let’s run through it. Starting Thursday 27 August, there’s nothing. Friday 28 August, nothing. Saturday 29 August sees a jump in swell to 6 ft from the ENE but with a pathetic 7-second period and a strong cross-onshore wind, it’s just messy. This pattern continues right through to Monday 7 September. The swell height climbs to 7 ft, 7 ft, even 7 ft by the 7th, and the combined energy hits 1532 (strong), but the wind is a relentless cross-shore, often near gale force (31 mph) by the 8th. The conditions are consistently described as “poor surf conditions” and “lumpy cross-chop”. There’s a brief glimmer on the 5th and 6th of September where the swell period extends to 11 seconds and the combined energy is strong (up to 1269), but the forecast is only “marginal” due to question marks over tide and the wind is still a fresh cross-shore. It’s not enough to recommend.

From 8 September onwards, the wind gets even stronger – near gale on the 8th and 9th, with swells up to 7 ft. The surf is too big for beginners and, with that wind, even experts would struggle. By 11 September, the wind swings onshore from the SE and SSE at 31 mph, and the swell drops away, leaving only 277 combined energy. Honestly, for a beach and reef setup exposed to the ESE, this is a shocking run. If you’re a kite surfer, the strong cross-shore winds might get you interested, but for paddle surfing, it’s a blank. The good news is Sandy Beach is fairly consistent, so this poor spell won’t last forever, but in this 16-day window, there’s nothing.

Rusty.

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