Sandy Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve gotta be straight with you – this 16-day run for Sandy Beach is a tough one. There’s no surf worth paddling out for in the first half of the outlook, and it takes a long time before we even see a flicker of hope. The whole forecast period is a battle with poor conditions, cross-shore winds, and lumpy, choppy water. The first real chance to even think about a session doesn’t roll around until late in the game.

From Tuesday, the 14th of July right through to Friday, the 24th of July, it’s a junk show. Every day is marked by poor surf conditions. The wind is relentless – mostly a fresh cross-shore out of the ENE at 18 to 22 mph, kicking up a lumpy cross-chop. The waves are small, usually under 4 ft, and the swell direction is all over the shop, never matching the optimum ESE that Sandy Beach really wants. The combined energy is moderate, but it’s all wasted with the wind. Not a single good wave in sight.

The only thing that changes is a slight shift on Friday morning, the 24th of July. The forecast bumps up to a “marginal” call, with a score of 1 out of 10. The swell is still tiny at 2 ft from the SSW, with a very long period of 18 seconds, but the wind is a moderate cross-shore at 15 mph. The combined energy is strong at 674, but it’s just not enough to overcome the chop. You’d be scratching for a ride.

We get a better look on Wednesday, the 29th of July. The morning shows a 3 ft swell from the ENE, period 13 seconds, with a light cross-shore breeze at only 6 mph. The water temp is a warm 79°, which is about normal for this time of year. The combined energy is moderate at 469, and it’s another “marginal” call. The afternoon picks up a little, with 4 ft from the ENE and a 12-second period, still with that light breeze. The water temp anomaly is only 0.2°, so nothing unusual there. This is the best on offer, and it’s not saying much. It’s the only period where the wind is light enough to give you a clean-ish face, but it’s still cross-shore, and the break is inconsistent. Crowds are often here, so you might have company, but honestly, I wouldn’t rush.

So, the standout is Wednesday, the 29th of July. The morning session is your best bet. The swell is small at 3 ft from the ENE, the wind is light, and the waves might just be rideable. It’s a long wait for a very average day, but it’s the only window in the whole 16 days where the conditions aren’t totally cooked. The rest is a write-off. Keep an eye on the forecasts, because they can change, but right now, it’s a tough stretch.

Rusty.

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