Sandy Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is a tough one to call. The honest truth is, for the next 16 days, Sandy Beach is going to be a write-off. I’ve been staring at this forecast and there’s just nothing to get excited about for a long time. The first surf that’s even worth a mention isn’t until the 27th of July, and even then it’s only marginal.

For the first ten days, from Thursday the 16th right through to the 26th, the conditions are consistently poor. We’re looking at a constant cross-shore wind – mostly from the ENE – that’s blowing anywhere from 15 mph to 25 mph. That’s going to chop the hell out of the water. The swell is a mess, too. There’s a mix of weak, short-period windswell at 6 ft and some longer-period groundswell, but the wind just ruins it. The wave energy is moderate to strong (between 374 and 1688), but with that cross-shore breeze, it’s just lumpy, cross-chop slop. Not worth your time.

Starting Monday the 27th of July, the wind drops a notch. It’s still a cross-shore from the ENE, but only 15 mph, so it’s a moderate breeze. The swell is a 5 ft groundswell from the East with a long 16-second period. The combined energy is strong (2063), which is promising, but the conditions are still listed as “marginal” with a cross-chop. It’s the best we’ve got all fortnight, but it’s a far cry from good. The tide might be a factor. It’s a spot for the desperate, not for a fun session.

Tuesday the 28th of July looks a tad better. The wind eases further to 12 mph from the ENE, still cross-shore. The swell is back up to 7 ft from the ENE with a 14-second period. This is a lot of water, and the energy is very strong (1798). This is expert territory – over 8 ft is too big for most, but 7 ft is still a solid, powerful wave. With a long period like that, it’s going to be a proper groundswell set with long lulls between them. At a beach-and-reef setup like Sandy Beach, the long period might make the waves break a bit too straight, but the extra power is there. The wind isn’t perfect, but it’s the best alignment in the whole outlook.

Honestly, if you’re a kite surfer, the whole period from the 24th through the 28th might look more interesting with that strong to moderate wind and decent swell. But for a paddle surfer, it’s a long wait for a very average reward. The water temperature is currently 79°, which is about average for this time of year with a normal anomaly of 0.4°.

So, to sum it up: don’t hold your breath. The 27th and 28th of July are the only shots you’ve got, and they’re more about hoping for a clean-up than a guarantee. Forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a lean run.

Rusty.

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