Sandy Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about Sandy Beach. I’ll be straight with you – this is a tough outlook. We’ve got a long stretch ahead where the conditions just aren’t cooperating.

We’re looking at a pretty big gap in the action. The first few days... well, there’s nothing to get excited about. From the start of the forecast right through to the 23rd of September, the surf is either poor or marginal. That’s a solid two-week window with no real green lights.

The problems are clear: almost constant cross-shore and cross-onshore winds from the ENE or NE, mostly blowing in the 12 to 22 mph range. That’s creating lumpy, choppy, messy conditions. Even when there’s some energy in the water, the wind just chops it up. On Wednesday the 16th, we see a long-period swell (18 seconds) roll in from the SSW, and the combined energy is strong (820), but with a fresh 19 mph cross-wind, it’s a write-off for a clean surf.

There is one tiny window that peeks through. On the morning of Tuesday the 24th of September, conditions look set to turn. We get a glassy morning – that’s a rare treat. The swell is small, only 2ft from the SSW, but with that long period of 16 seconds, it’ll have some push and shape, especially for a beach and reef setup like Sandy Beach. The combined energy is moderate (444), so there’s some life in the water. The wind is a whisper, from the SE at just 3 mph – practically flat calm. This is your best chance to get a clean wave.

Water temp is about 81°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

For the rest of the period after that, it’s back to onshore slop. Swell sticks around, but the wind swings back onshore, making things lumpy again. Honestly, if you’re not a paddle surfer, the stronger wind days with that short-period, choppy swell might be more interesting for a kite.

Don’t hold your breath for the first two weeks. That Tuesday 24th morning is the one standout; everything else is a waiting game.

- Rusty

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