Dondra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright mate, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, the first thing to say is that the surf is pretty marginal across the whole 16-day window. There’s no true standout, no day that screams “get in the water now.” The waves are there, but they’re a bit of a faff – think modest swell, onshore-cross winds a lot of the time, and the constant threat of thunderstorms. It’s one of those periods where you’ll be checking the sky as much as the ocean.

We’re starting off with Dondra, a reef break that’s more for the intermediate crew. The water is sitting at 82°, which is bang on average for the time of year, so no worries about a chilly session. The first real action kicks off on Friday the 21st of August. We’ve got a 6 ft swell from the SSW, with a period of 14 seconds, and the wind is a cross-off from the W at 16 mph. The combined energy is moderate (1343). It’s clean, but the forecast says “marginal.” The same goes for Saturday the 22nd – a touch bigger at 6 ft, a 15-second period, still cross-off W wind, but it’s a bit of a tease. The energy is a bit stronger (1741), but it’s still just a “2” or “3” kind of session.

We hit a bit of a lull on Sunday the 23rd. The swell drops to 5 ft from the S, period shortens to 13-14 seconds, and the wind swings WSW, giving us a messy cross-shore chop. Not great. Monday the 24th is smaller again, 3 ft to 4 ft, but the cross-off wind cleans it up. The energy is weak to moderate (939). It’s rideable but unremarkable.

The second half of the week into the weekend stays in this same pattern. Tuesday the 25th has a bit of size (5 ft) but the cross-shore wind messes it up. Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th see a bit more pulse – 6 ft from the SSW with a long 17-second period, and the energy jumps to strong (2921) on Thursday morning. The wind is cross-off, so it’s clean. Could be a decent session if you’re keen, but the forecast still calls it marginal. The long period (17 seconds) is a double-edged sword at a reef break like Dondra – it’ll mean more energy but also longer waits between sets.

We then get a drop in energy over the weekend of the 29th and 30th, with the swell fading to 4 ft and the energy dropping to moderate (530). It’s a bit of a snooze.

Now, the real interesting part comes at the turn of the month. Monday the 31st of August has a solid 6 ft swell from the SSW, but it’s the 8 ft that follows on Tuesday the 1st of September that catches the eye. That’s a serious 8 ft swell from the SSW, with a 17-second period, and the combined energy is very strong (4155). The wind is cross-off, so it’s clean. This is for the experienced crew only – 8 ft is big, especially for a reef. Wednesday the 2nd of September holds similar size (8 ft) but the wind goes cross-shore, adding some chop. Thursday the 3rd drops back to 5 ft from the S, with a shorter 12-second period and cross-shore wind.

After that, from the 4th of September, the swell fades away. Friday the 4th is 5 ft from the SSE, period drops to 11 seconds, and the energy is moderate (702). By Saturday the 5th, the energy is weak (436) and the forecast calls it “poor.” It’s a real tail-off. The 16-day window ends with a whimper.

So, if you’re asking me for the best session, I’d say keep your eyes on Monday the 31st of August and Tuesday the 1st of September. That’s where the size and power are. But be warned – the 1st of September has a big swell (8 ft) and a long period, and the wind is clean. It’s a proper groundswell event. The rest of the time is a bit of a grind. Good luck, and don't forget to check the storms.

Rusty.

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