Dondra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Dondra.

Straight up, the next two weeks are a bit of a mixed bag. The wind is gonna be a constant headache. It’s mostly coming from the west to west-northwest, which is a cross-offshore breeze here, and it’s blowing fresh, like 15 to 22 mph. That’s going to put a ruffle on the surface, but it won’t be completely blown out. The plus side is the water is warm, sitting at 83°F, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year.

We kick off on Saturday, August 1st, with a solid 10ft swell from the west. The energy is pumping through the roof, reading 2129 (combined energy), but with that wind and the risk of thunderstorms, it’s far from perfect. The period is 9 seconds, so it’s a bit of a junky wind swell, not the cleanest lines. It stays big through Sunday and Monday, tapering off a touch, but still over 7ft.

Around Tuesday, August 4th, the swell drops to a more manageable 5ft, and we get a nice shift in direction to the SSW. The period jumps to 16 seconds, which is proper groundswell. This is a glimmer of hope. The energy is still substantial (1645), but the wind is still a moderate to fresh cross-off. For a reef break like Dondra, that long period swell is a dream, but the wind will keep it from being completely glassy. The consistency is inconsistent here, so don’t expect non-stop sets, but when they come, they’ll be solid.

The period gets even longer later in the week. Check out Wednesday, August 5th, afternoon: 4ft from the SSW with a 19-second period. That’s a very long period groundswell. The energy is still high (2025). The problem is the wind is still cross-off, and we’ve got the risk of a thunderstorm. It’s a worthwhile check for a dedicated surfer who knows the reef, but it’s not a beginner-friendly day at 4ft, even though it’s not huge, the long period can make the sets sweep through.

The end of the first week and into the second week sees a consistent, but messy, pattern. The swell hangs around 5ft to 7ft, direction moves from SSW to S, and the period stays solidly long, between 14 and 17 seconds. The wind is relentless, though. Every day is a cross-off breeze at 15-19 mph. The combined energy is often in the high 1000s to 2000s, meaning there’s definitely power in the water.

The standout call? It’s a tough one. If I had to pick, the morning of Tuesday, August 11th, looks promising. The swell is 5ft from the south, with a 20-second period. That’s incredibly long period energy. The combined energy reading is 3084, which is massive. It’s a promise of deep, powerful waves. The wind is still 19 mph cross-off, which is a bummer, but for a reef break, that long period is the key. It’s going to be for experts only, as the power and the reef won’t forgive mistakes. The crowds are “sometimes” here, so you might have a few out, but with that wind, it might keep the numbers down.

Beyond that, into the second week, the swell fades. By Saturday, August 15th, it’s down to 2ft to 2ft with very low energy (759-822). The period is still long (16-20 seconds), but there’s just not enough height to make it worthwhile. The 16th gives a little bump back to 3ft, but it’s still a waiting game.

Honestly, if you’re a kite surfer, this whole forecast looks more interesting. That constant cross-off wind and healthy swell energy would be a dream. For a paddle surfer, it’s a case of picking the windows with the best period and accepting the wind. The long period swells are the story here, but they are best suited to a surfer who knows Dondra’s reef. It’s not a blank run, but it’s not a classic one either.

Rusty.

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