Dondra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid run of surf on the cards at Dondra, stretching right across the next couple of weeks, but the pattern is pretty consistent rather than delivering any true days of magic. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual there. You’ll want to keep an eye on your tides though, because the forecast keeps flagging marginal conditions due to tide issues.

The action starts Monday the 17th of August with a small but promising SSW swell pushing in at 2ft early, with a very long 22-second period. The wind is a cross-shore at 16 mph though, so the morning will have a bit of a chop on it. The afternoon cleans up nicely as the wind turns cross-offshore, the swell bumps to a clean 3ft, and the energy jumps to moderate (1149). A decent intro to the week.

Tuesday the 18th is when things start to get a bit more serious. You’re looking at a solid 8ft SSW swell with that same cross-off wind holding all day. Wave energy is strong at over 4000, and the long period of 19 seconds means proper groundswell energy. This is borderline too big for beginners, but for anyone with a bit of experience, the wave quality will be clean and powerful. Wind stays 16 mph from the west, keeping those faces tidy.

Wednesday the 19th is still solid with 7ft in the morning easing to 6ft by afternoon, same clean conditions. Energy remains very strong, dropping from 3586 to 3376. The period drops a touch to 16-17 seconds, still plenty of grunt.

Thursday the 20th holds at 8ft in the morning and 7ft in the afternoon. Still across the 6ft mark, so again, not for the grommets. Cross-off wind, clean conditions, strong energy (2713 in the morning). But the scores are middling, and the tide call is still questionable. You’ll need to pick your banks.

From Friday the 21st, the swell eases a little. 5ft morning, 5ft afternoon, swinging more southerly. Energy drops to moderate (1396), but the wind is still cross-off and clean. Saturday the 22nd looks similar: 6ft to 6ft, southerly, 15-second period, wave energy around 1600. Again, clean but nothing stand-out.

Sunday the 23rd through Monday the 24th sees the swell back to 5ft down to 3ft. The period on Monday morning jumps to 18 seconds, but with only 3ft of swell, it’s a bit of a tease. Energy sits at moderate (1026). Still clean, still that consistent west cross-off wind.

The second week settles into a repetitive pattern. Tuesday 25th to Wednesday 26th: 4ft to 5ft, SSW, clean, moderate energy. Thursday 27th sees a small lift to 6ft in the morning, but the risk of thunderstorms returns. Friday 28th is the smallest of the run, dropping to 3ft to 3ft, though the afternoon of the 28th has a very long 20-second period which could offer a few lined-up runners on the right bank.

Saturday 29th picks back up to 6ft to 6ft, with a shift to SW in the afternoon, energy around 1900. Sunday 30th holds at 5ft, and Monday 1st September finishes the run with a 6ft SSW swell in the morning but the wind turns cross-shore and brings a bit of cross-chop.

The standout period is Tuesday 18th to Thursday 20th of August. That’s the strongest, cleanest, most powerful swell of the window with combined energy in the strong range (2713 to 4281). For experienced surfers, those days are your best bet. Even then, keep in mind that Dondra is an inconsistent reef break and can get crowded sometimes, so don’t expect to have it to yourself.

For everyone else, there’s pretty much surf every day from the 17th onward, but nothing that screams “drop everything and go.” The consistency is there, and forecasts can change, so keep an eye on the wind and tide.

Rusty

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