Dondra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s break down Dondra. This reef don’t break too often, so when it’s on, it’s worth a look. Water’s sitting at about 84°, which is a degree or so warmer than usual for this time – nothing crazy, just a touch balmy.

We’re starting on Wednesday, 9th September. Slow start. The afternoon has a clean cross-off breeze from the W at 25 km/h, but the swell’s only 3 ft from the SSW, with a long 14-second period. Energy is middling (566). A marginal paddle if you’re keen.

Thursday morning picks up. Swell goes to 5 ft from the SSW, with a very long period of 18 seconds, energy up to 1333. Winds are cross-off from the WSW at 20 km/h, keeping it clean. That’s a proper groundswell – real push. By the afternoon, the swell nudges to 5 ft, period 17 seconds, energy 1485. Same clean wind. This is the start of the run.

Friday morning, the swell holds at 5 ft with a 15-second period, but the wind goes more cross-shore at 25 km/h, ruffling the surface. Not great. Same story Friday arvo.

Saturday the 12th, the swell builds to 7 ft from the SSW, period 17 seconds. Energy hits 2510. But the wind stays cross-shore, messy. That’s too big for beginners, and the chop keeps it for the experienced only.

Sunday the 13th, the swell drops to 6 ft in the morning, but still cross-shore wind. The afternoon cleans up – cross-off wind at 20 km/h, swell 5 ft, period 15 seconds, energy 1557. That’s a nice window.

Monday the 14th morning is clean again, cross-off breeze, swell 4 ft but very long 18-second period – energy 1462. Sneaky good if the tide works. The afternoon gets cross-shore again.

Tuesday the 15th is a full day of clean fun. Both morning and afternoon have clean cross-off winds from the W at 25 km/h, swell 5 ft from the SSW, periods 15 and 14 seconds. Energy between 1502 and 1788. That’s a great day in the water.

Wednesday the 16th is clean, but the swell drops to 3 ft in the morning with a very long 18-second period – low energy. The afternoon gives you 4 ft, same period, still clean. For the patient surfer.

Thursday the 17th goes cross-shore again on a 5 ft swell – messy. Friday the 18th is back clean, swell around 4 to 4 ft, energy dropping.

Now, the best days by far are Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th September. Solid 6 ft SSW swell, clean cross-off winds, periods of 14-16 seconds. Energy is pumping – 1711 to 2056. That’s a weekend of quality reef waves. Too much for beginners, but perfect for intermediates and above.

Monday the 21st and Tuesday the 22nd see the swell shift to the S, dropping to 4-5 ft, period shortening to 12-14 seconds. Still clean, but the magic fades.

Then Wednesday the 23rd and Thursday the 24th, the swell jumps back up to 6 ft, but the period drops to just 7 seconds – that’s short-period windswell, weak and sloppy. Energy down to 509-833. Clean wind can’t fix that. This setup is more for kite-surfing than paddling.

No real gaps without surf, just a couple of days that aren’t worth it. The standouts? Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th September – 6 ft, clean, cross-off, stacked with energy. Don’t miss it. Tuesday the 15th and Sunday the 13th afternoon are your next best bets.

Rusty.

Read more