Dondra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s have a look at what’s shaping up for the next couple of weeks. Honestly, it’s a slow one for the most part. We’ve got a spot called Dondra on the menu, and it’s a reef break that’s pretty inconsistent, so it’s not like it’s going to be pumping every day. The first real window of opportunity kicks off on Tuesday morning, the 21st of July.

That morning, we’ve got a clean 5ft swell coming from the south, with a decent period of 15 seconds. That’s a long-period groundswell, which means good energy and shape, especially for a reef setup. The wind is a cross-offshore breeze at 16 mph, which will keep the faces clean. The combined energy is sitting at 1088 (moderate), and the water temp is a comfortable 82°, right around normal for this time of year. Tuesday afternoon holds up similar with a 5ft swell from the SSW. This is the standout of the first week – clean, waist-to-chest high waves with that long period making them sucky and fun. Because it’s inconsistent, don’t expect non-stop action, but when a set comes through, it’ll be worth it. Crowds are possible here, so keep an eye out.

The rest of the week is a bit of a write-off. Wednesday and Thursday (22nd / 23rd July) drop off significantly with heights around 3ft to 4ft and cross-shore winds creating chop. Friday the 24th is even smaller, with a 2ft swell, though the period is long again at 15 seconds – just not enough oomph.

We get a bit of a pulse back on Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th. Saturday morning sees 5ft from the SSE, with a clean cross-off wind and a 10-second period. The energy is moderate (826), and the waves will be clean but shorter period. Sunday morning bumps up to 6ft from the SSE, with a period of 11 seconds and energy around 1077. That’s the biggest swell of the first week, but at 6ft, it’s getting a bit more serious – still manageable for intermediates, but beginners might find it a handful. The wind remains cross-off and clean.

Then we hit a long dry spell. From Monday the 27th all the way through to the end of July, the swell drops back to 3ft or less, with the energy dropping into the low hundreds. It’s clean, but there’s just not enough wave to get excited about. The wind stays cross-off most of the time, but the size is lacking.

Now, looking ahead to the start of August, things get a bit more interesting. On Sunday the 2nd of August, the afternoon shows a 5ft swell from the WNW, but the period is only 8 seconds – short-period windswell, so it’ll be a bit bumpy and less organised. The energy is moderate (846). Then Monday the 3rd of August looks like the best of the entire run. Monday morning and afternoon both show 6ft and 6ft from the west, with a short period of 8 seconds. The energy jumps to 1156 and 1347, which is solid moderate wave energy. The wind is cross-off at 12 mph, keeping it clean. This is a punchy, powerful west swell – more of a windswell, so it’ll be a bit more walled up and less refined than the long-period stuff, but there’s plenty of push. At 6ft, it’s a bit too big for beginners. This is the standout for the second week, but it’s a week and a half away, so keep it in the back of your mind – forecasts can change.

Tuesday the 4th of August also has a nice pulse in the afternoon: 5ft from the SSW with a very long 18-second period, and energy of 1806 (strong). That’s a beautiful groundswell direction and period for a reef, but again, it’s a long way out.

Overall, if you’re keen, hit Tuesday the 21st of July morning for the cleanest, longest-period waves, or keep an eye on Monday the 3rd of August for the biggest swell of the run. Most of the time in between, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

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