Sandy Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Sandy Beach. I’ll be straight with you – the next couple of weeks are looking pretty grim for a decent paddle out. The wind is relentless, mostly howling out of the ENE, and it’s chopping everything up. There’s a real gap here until the very end of the forecast, so don’t hold your breath.

The water’s sitting at a warm 81°F, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so at least you won’t be cold waiting for nothing.

Starting from the 29th of August right through the first week of September, it’s a bust. We’ve got swell heights bouncing between 5ft and 8ft, but that wind is just ruining it. It’s a stiff 19 to 28 mph cross-shore or cross-onshore breeze every single day, turning the surface into a lumpy, messy chop. The combined energy is moderate, hitting numbers around 495 to 885 (moderate wave energy), but with that wind, it’s a total write-off for surfing. You’d have more fun on a kite.

There is a brief change on the 2nd of September morning. A 3ft swell from the south slips in with a long 16-second period – that’s proper groundswell energy, and the combined energy is still moderate (804). But again, the wind is smashing it cross-shore at 19 mph. That long period will make it break straight and weird at a beach break like this, so it’s not worth the paddle.

The middle of the second week, around the 8th and 9th of September, the swell actually starts pumping up. We’re seeing 8ft from the ENE with the period stretching out to 10 seconds, and the combined energy jumps into the strong range – 1926 on the 8th and 1922 on the 9th. That’s real power. The problem? Still a fresh 19 mph cross-wind. The forecast calls it “marginal surf,” and I’d agree. It’s messy and lumpy, but it’s the closest we get to something rideable in that period. For experts only at this size.

The best chance we get is on the 10th of September. The swell hits 10ft from the ENE, with the combined energy roaring up to 2198 and 2365 (very strong wave energy). The wind finally drops a bit to a fresh 19-22 mph cross-shore, and the report says wind and tide are favorable. But here’s the catch – and it’s a big one – that 10ft swell is just too big for Sandy Beach. The file says it’s predicted to be too big for this break. It’s an experts-only, heavy day, and even then, you’d be scratching for a clean one.

After that, the 11th of September sees the wind swing onshore from the SSE at 12-19 mph with a 7ft S swell, period 11 seconds, and very strong energy at 2163. But onshore wind is onshore wind – it’s a messy, blown-out affair. The last few days, from the 12th onward, the swell drops back to 4ft to 6ft, the wind stays cross or cross-on, and the energy fades to light to moderate. Nothing worth getting out of bed for.

So, to wrap it up: there is no standout period for clean, good surf here. The 10th of September has the most power, but it’s too big for the break. The 8th and 9th have the next best swell size, but the wind kills it. Everything else is a washout. Sometimes it’s just like that at Sandy Beach – a blank run is more normal than you’d hope. Forecasts can change, but for now, I’d keep the board in the car and maybe go for a drive.

Rusty.

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