Dondra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what this stretch of water has in store for us. We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag over the next couple of weeks, with only one spot on the radar.

Overall, it’s gonna be a frustrating run for the most part. We’re looking at a solid, persistent pulse of swell rolling in off the West and then shifting south, but the quality just ain’t there for a lot of it. The conditions are dominated by a consistent moderate breeze from the West which is cross-offshore here, keeping things clean in the water but never quite hitting that glassy, perfect note. The water temperature is sitting at 83°F with a anomaly of just 0.4°, so it’s bang on average for this time of year – nice and warm, no surprises there.

Let’s break it down. The first week, starting Wednesday July 8th, we’ve got moderate wave energy (1318) pushing through with swell around 5 ft to 5 ft from the West and SSW. The period is a mix of short 11 second and a nice long 14 to 16 second groundswell, but despite that energy, the forecast labels it as marginal. The breeze is constant cross-off, but the tide or something else is just off. It’s surfable but nothing to write home about. Thursday the 9th sees energy creep up (1512 to 1565) with that 16 second period on the SSW swell, giving it some proper punch, but again, the call is marginal. Friday the 10th through Sunday the 12th is more of the same – energy bouncing between 1055 and 1495, swell holding around 5 ft to 5 ft, but the quality flags stay low. You’ll get waves, but they won’t be special.

Then we hit a bit of a lull from Monday the 13th through to the end of the first week and into the second. The swell drops a little, going down to 3 ft to 4 ft, with energy falling below 1000 for a few days and even down to 528 on Friday the 17th. The period stays long from the South and SSW, which is a good sign for shape, but the wave state is either “poor” or “marginal” at best. On Friday the 17th morning, the wind swings to a cross-shore WSW at 16 mph, putting a cross-chop on the surface – that’s not what you want. Saturday the 18th morning has the same issue. It’s a scrappy few days.

But hold on. If you’ve got patience, there’s a light at the end of this tunnel. Look at Monday the 20th of July. After the wind settles back to cross-off on the 19th, the energy really fires up. Monday afternoon sees a jump to 2158 (moderate to strong energy) with a 6 ft swell from the South at a 16-second period – that’s proper groundswell. The breeze is still cross-off from the West at 16 mph, keeping things clean. Now, 6 ft at a beach break with that long period might wall up and close out, but at a reef setup like Dondra, that’s where it shines. That’s your standout session right there. It’s over a week out, so don’t set your watch by it, but it’s the one to keep an eye on. Tuesday the 21st still has solid energy at 1412 with 5 ft from the SSW, but the wind picks up to a fresh 19 mph in the morning. It stays surfable but won’t match Monday’s potential.

After that, the energy tapers off again through the 22nd and 23rd, with swell dropping to 4 ft to 4 ft and energy back under 1000. It’s back to that marginal, frustrating rhythm.

The crowds here can be an issue sometimes, so expect some company when the good stuff lines up. And remember, this spot is inconsistent and rarely breaks to begin with, so when it has a pulse like Monday the 20th, you take it seriously.

So, bottom line: a long dry spell of average to poor conditions, then a promising but uncertain window around Monday the 20th. If you’re a patient local, pencil that one in and hope the forecast holds. Otherwise, it’s a tough couple of weeks.

Rusty.

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