Dondra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks.

First off, the water at Dondra is sitting at about 83°, which is pretty much bang on average for the time of year – nothing to write home about on the temperature front.

The pattern shaping up is a bit of a mixed bag. We’ve got a steady stream of swell, but it’s not going to be a classic. The wind is a persistent cross-off from the west, which helps keep the faces clean, but it’s got some grunt – 15 to 19 mph at times. That’s a moderate breeze, and it’s not going to be glassy, but it’s workable.

The real standout window looks like the end of July and the very start of August. The combined energy kicks up, with readings hitting 1085 and 1289 for the mornings of Friday the 31st of July and Saturday the 1st of August, and the swell holds around 4ft to 4ft from the SSW. That’s moderate wave energy, and with a period of 16 to 18 seconds, this is proper groundswell. Long period stuff like that will wrap around the reef better, giving you some grunt and shape. The wind, while still cross-off, is a touch lighter on the Friday afternoon, and the break is a reef, so those long-period lines will have a good shape. Keep in mind Dondra is an inconsistent spot, and the crowds are sometimes a factor, so you might have to share it.

Now, the first week of August brings a big spike. On Sunday the 2nd of August, it jumps to 12ft from the WSW, but the period drops to 9 seconds, and the energy is strong (2632). That’s a lot of water moving around, but it’s short-period stuff, and at that size, it’s really only for the experts. The same goes for the 3rd of August, with 8ft to 7ft from the west and a short 8-second period. Given the reef setup and the strong wind, that’s more of a beast than a treat.

After that, from the 4th of August onwards, things settle back into the 3ft to 5ft range, with the swell mostly from the SSW and periods hanging around 15 to 17 seconds, which is a good sign. The energy stays moderate to strong (in the 1000s to 1600s), so there’s plenty of push. The wind, however, stays a bit punchy, and it’s always that cross-off westerly, so it’s never truly glassy. The best bet in that second week is probably the morning of the 6th of August, with 6ft and a 17-second period – that’s a solid, long-period groundswell that will have some real power.

Overall, the best surf on offer is the Friday the 31st of July and Saturday the 1st of August. That’s your window for clean, long-period swell with manageable size. The rest of the time is either too big and short-period, or just a bit underpowered with persistent wind.

Signing off, Rusty.

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