Sandy Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Sandy Beach. I gotta be straight with you – the next 16 days are a real mixed bag, and honestly, for a good while, it’s gonna be a waiting game. The pattern is dominated by persistent cross-shore and cross-onshore winds from the ENE, which is going to mess up the surface quality, leaving things choppy and lumpy more often than not. There’s a big gap of poor conditions right at the start, so don’t rush to paddle out just yet.

The first few days, from Monday the 17th through to the 22nd, are pretty grim. We’re looking at small, short-period windswell in the 1ft to 4ft range, but the wind is constantly a problem. The wave energy is weak to moderate at best. It’s just not going to be any fun with that lumpy cross-chop. You’ll be fighting for a close-out, not a wave.

We finally get a bit of size as we head into the 23rd and 24th, with swell heights pushing 5ft to 6ft and the energy picking up to moderate levels. But the wind is still fresh and cross-shore, so the quality is still poor. This is a kite-surfing setup, not a paddle-surfing one. The waves will be there, but they’ll be lumpy, bumpy, and hard to ride.

Now, things get interesting, but also heavy, from the 27th of August. The swell jumps up to 10ft from the ENE, with a long period of 11 seconds. The energy is very strong. This is big, powerful groundswell. The forecast notes the wind and tide could be favorable, but the size is listed as too big for this break. This means Sandy Beach is only for the most experienced experts who know the lineup. The moderate cross-shore wind will add some texture, but with that much energy, it’s going to be a heavy, dangerous day. This is the standout window, but it’s a serious one.

The last couple of days of August and into September see the size drop back down, but the wind remains a factor, keeping the surf messy. The 1st of September brings 8ft swell with a 10-second period from the east, and conditions are still marginal.

So, the best window is that big swell from the 27th to the 29th of August. It’s a bold, powerful, and expert-only affair. For the rest of us, it’s a long wait for a clean day. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so no surprise there. Keep your eye on the forecasts, but for now, don’t expect much.

Rusty.

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