Sandy Beach in Sitka, Alaska, is one of the few surf spots that you can actually get to by road. Located on Baranof Island, it’s a part of the Inside Passage, which is served by the Alaska Marine Highway ferries year-round. Unlike the more famous surf destinations like Yakutat and Kodiak, Sandy Beach offers an accessible spot for surfers, especially when the waves are up. It’s a short drive from the town center, making it convenient for both locals and visitors.

This beach really needs a good SW swell to get going, and it tends to only work properly at high tide, typically during the winter months. The optimal swell direction is from the SouthWest, but it can also handle swells coming from the South. The beachbreak here works best with waves around 1ft (0.3m) and can have both left and right breaks. The surf breaks over a mix of boulders and sand, giving it a bit of variety. For wind, the ideal direction is from the SouthEast, which can help shape the waves nicely. Sandy Beach is a decent spot for beginners, providing a friendly environment to learn the ropes.

While this spot may not be the most epic surf you’ll ever encounter, it offers a reliable option when other spots are flat, especially in the summer months. So if you’re in Sitka and want to catch some waves, Sandy Beach is worth a look, even if the conditions are often just average.