Sandy Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for Sandy Beach.

Straight up, I’m gonna be honest with you – this 16-day window is looking pretty grim. We’ve got a real flat spell on our hands. The first bit of surf that’s even worth mentioning doesn’t show up until Tuesday afternoon, the 8th of September, and even then, it’s a struggle. From there, it’s a long, dry run of poor conditions until the very end of the forecast. Let’s break it down.

Tuesday afternoon, the 8th, we see a 6 ft swell rolling in from the ENE with a period of 11 seconds. That’s a moderate groundswell, giving us some decent energy (1127). But the wind is a cross-shore from the SW at 12 mph, and the wave comment says it’s marginal. It’s not going to be clean, and the water temp is a warm 81°F, which is pretty average for this time of year. Honestly, for a spot like Sandy Beach that’s exposed to the ESE, this swell direction isn’t ideal, and the conditions are messy. It’s a tough one to recommend.

Wednesday the 9th through to the end of the first week is a write-off. We’ve got tiny 1 ft to 4 ft swell, choppy winds, and everything is marked as poor surf. The energy drops right off, with combined energy values falling to triple and even double digits – as low as 84 by the 14th. It’s just not happening.

The second week doesn’t offer much hope either. From the 15th onwards, we start seeing a bit more size again, but the wind is relentless. It’s a constant cross or cross-onshore breeze from the ENE at 15 to 22 mph, and later on, even 25 mph. The swell is often short period, like 6 to 8 seconds, which is just windswell junk. The wave comment stays stuck on “poor surf conditions” right through to the 23rd.

There is a little spike of energy on the 16th, Wednesday afternoon, with a 3 ft swell from the SSW at a very long 18 seconds, giving us 882 combined energy. But the wind is cross-onshore and choppy. A long period SSW groundswell like that, with the wrong wind at Sandy Beach, is just a messy, blown-out lineup. Not worth paddling out for.

The absolute standout, if you can call it that, is a brief moment on the 18th, Friday morning. We’ve got a 6 ft swell from the E at 9 seconds, with combined energy of 859. That’s a solid amount of water moving around. But again, the wind is a fresh cross-shore at 22 mph, creating a lumpy cross-chop. For a beach and reef set-up, this is more of a kitesurfing kind of day than a clean paddle session. The swell is big enough that beginners should stay well clear, and the chop will make it a battle for everyone else.

Honestly, gang, there’s no hidden gem here. The combination of poor wind, wrong swell directions, and short-period swell just doesn’t line up. For a break that’s fairly consistent, this is a frustrating stretch. But forecasts can change, and it tends not to stay this poor for too long.

Stay tuned, and keep your board waxed for the next window.

Rusty.

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