Sandy Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright crew, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Sandy Beach. I’m not gonna sugarcoat it – this forecast is a tough read. We’ve got a long stretch of bumpy, windblown ocean, and only one little window that might save the trip. The water is about normal for this time of year, so no shock there.

The whole thing kicks off with a nasty cross-shore wind from the ENE that’s blowing 20 to 25 mph, and it doesn’t let up for days. From Saturday the 18th, the surf is a mess. The swell is there – a few feet of it – but the wind is just tearing it apart. The combined energy hits some moderate numbers, like 501 on the 18th morning, but with that lumpy cross-chop, it’s unrideable. You’ll see a few pulses of long-period groundswell from the SSW around the 22nd and 23rd, with periods up to 23 seconds, and the energy climbs to 772 and 866. But it’s all cross-onshore or cross-shore wind, so forget it. That long-period groundswell would work a treat at a point or reef, but on this beach it’s just a mess.

We’re looking at a solid week of poor conditions. The wind is too strong, the surface is too choppy. Honestly, if you’ve got a kite, this is your week, because the paddle surfing is a lost cause.

Then, a small glimmer. Around the 26th and 27th of July, the swell shifts to the east with a period of 17 to 18 seconds. The wave comment finally says “marginal surf forecast,” which is the best we’ll see. The wave heights are around 4 to 5 feet from the east, and the combined energy is serious – hitting 1768, 1997, and 1812. The wind eases up to a moderate cross-shore from the ENE, still not perfect, but way better than the 25 mph garbage we had. This is the only window worth looking at. Sandy Beach can get crowded, and with this east swell, it’ll be the place to be. It’s not a classic, but it’s the only game in town.

After that, it’s back to the doldrums. The energy drops, the swell goes short and weak, and the wind stays cross. The 30th of July afternoon shows a bump to 6 feet from the ENE, but the period is only 11 seconds and the wind is cross, so it’s just another messy day.

So, mark your calendar for the 26th and 27th of July. That’s your shot. The rest is a long, flat, windy wait. Don’t give up, but don’t get excited either.

Rusty.

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