Dondra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let's get into it. The next stretch here is all about Dondra, and honestly, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. The good news is there's surf on the way, but the forecast is telling me we’ve got a wait on our hands before anything really gets going. The first few days are pretty average, but there's a pulse of bigger, cleaner swell coming through if you're patient.

Right out of the gate, we’re looking at Dondra (Dondra) on Sunday the 30th of August. It’s a reef break, and it’s inconsistent, so you’ve got to be picky about your time in the water. Morning brings in a 4ft SSW swell with a 19-second period – that’s proper long-period groundswell, which is always good for a reef. The water’s sitting at 83°, which is about normal for this time of year. There’s a light cross-offshore breeze, so it’ll be clean, but the energy is only moderate, with combined energy around 1561. It’s rideable, but it’s not setting the world on fire. The afternoon builds a touch to 6ft, still from the SSW, but the period drops slightly to 18 seconds. Crowds are a possibility here, so keep your wits about you.

Monday the 31st is where things start to get a bit more serious. The morning sees that swell jump to 8ft from the SSW with an 18-second period. The energy is pumping at 3575 – that’s strong, for sure. The wind is cross-offshore, so it’ll be breaking with some power. This is getting into the size where it’s not for the faint of heart. It’s a solid step up from Sunday.

Tuesday and Wednesday are still offering up decent waves, though the size backs off a little. Tuesday's morning is 7ft, and the period is dropping to 16 seconds. By Wednesday, we’re down to 5ft with a 15-second period, but the wind turns a bit more cross, creating some chop. The mornings are definitely the cleaner windows, with a cross-offshore breeze. The afternoons are a bit better for wind, but the overall quality is just marginal.

The real standout, the one you want to circle on the calendar, is Monday the 31st. That 8ft SSW swell with an 18-second period is the biggest and best-defined push of the whole run. It’s a proper reef wave with good energy, and the cross-offshore wind will keep it clean. This is the best on offer.

After that, things taper off. We get into a stretch from the 1st of September through to the 6th where the swell drops and the period shortens up. It’s smaller, weaker, and more disorganized. The combined energy drops into the double digits, which is just weak. The wind is still cross-offshore at times, but the waves lack any real push. Honestly, this stretch looks like it’s better for a paddle or a swim than a surf. There’s a small window on the 7th with a long-period 20-second swell, but it’s tiny, only 2ft to 3ft. Not worth getting wet for.

The following week, from around the 8th of September, we see a bit of a rebound. It’s not the big stuff we saw at the start, but we get back into 4ft to 6ft range, mostly from the SSW. The period goes back up to the 16-18 second range, and the wind is consistently cross-offshore, keeping things clean. The energy picks back up into moderate levels. The best of this second run is around Friday the 11th, with 6ft SSW swells and the winds staying favorable. It’s a solid, fun few days, but it lacks the raw size and power of that first Monday.

One thing to keep in mind for Dondra is that it’s a reef. So when that long-period swell is running, it’s going to barrel and hold its shape. But when the period drops, it can get a bit crumbly. And as it gets over 8ft, this spot becomes expert territory only.

So, to wrap it up: get after it early on the 30th and 31st for the cleanest, most powerful waves. The 31st is the pick of the bunch. Then be prepared to wait out a flat spell mid-week before it picks up again the following week. It’s not a perfect two weeks, but there are definitely waves to be had if you’re willing to work for them.

Rusty

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