Dondra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s on offer for Dondra over the next 16 days.

Right off the bat, I’ve got to be straight with you – this is a tough run of surf. The whole forecast period is filled with marginal conditions and the scores are low. We’re looking at a solid 16-day stretch, but the first real surf on the books starts on Monday the 3rd of August. The consistent theme here is a persistent cross-offshore wind from the W and WNW, blowing at 25 to 35 km/h. That’s a fresh breeze, and while it keeps the surf looking clean, it’s going to be bumpy and challenging.

The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The standout – and I use that word carefully – is probably the combination of swell and wind on the morning of Saturday the 8th of August. We’ve got a 7ft S swell with a period of 16 seconds. That’s a long-period groundswell, and at Dondra, a reef break, that’s a good thing. The energy is strong (2438), but the wind is still a fresh 30 km/h cross-off from the W. It’s clean, but that wind is a fight. For a confident intermediate, this is the best window. The optimum swell direction here is SW, and this S swell is close enough to do the job.

The other moment to watch is the afternoon of the 5th of August. We’ve got a 4ft SSW swell, but the period hits 19 seconds – that’s very long. The energy is high (2014), but again, that wind is blowing. For a reef break like Dondra, that long period will wrap in nicely, but the sets will be few and far between. It’s a spot that’s inconsistent anyway, so be patient.

After the 10th of August, the swell drops off and the period gets shorter. By the 12th, we’re seeing a 6ft swell from the WSW with a period of only 7 seconds – that’s short-period windswell, and it’s not going to be great. The energy drops to 900 by then. Things get a bit messy from the 14th, with cross-shore winds and chop. The 18th of August shows a tiny 3ft SSW swell with a 20-second period, but the energy is low (761) and the wind is still up.

Honestly, if you’re not an experienced surfer, this whole period is a miss. The 7ft days are too big for beginners, and the wind is relentless. If you’re a kiter, the consistent cross-off wind and clean faces might look more interesting than it does for a paddle surfer.

To sum it up: the best on offer is the morning of the 8th of August, with that 7ft S groundswell and clean but windy conditions. After that, it’s a waiting game. The forecast can always change, and it’s a run of poor surf, but it won’t last forever.

Rusty.

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