Dondra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again, giving you the same look in feet and miles.

We’re looking at a slow start for the next few days, but don’t write it off yet. The first week is pretty quiet with marginal conditions, mostly thanks to cross-shore winds and a bit of a chop. The better stuff is waiting for us in the second week, and there’s a window that’s looking a lot more promising. The water is sitting at 84°, which is about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first real chance to get wet comes on Saturday the 5th of September, but it’s nothing to get excited about. Dondra is seeing a 4ft south swell with a 10-second period and a moderate cross-shore breeze. The energy is moderate (563), but the conditions are messy with a cross-chop, so it’s a bit of a gamble. Sunday the 6th is even worse, with poor surf and a score of 0 – I’d stay on the beach.

Monday the 7th and Tuesday the 8th are still pretty average. Swell hangs around 3ft, but the wind stays cross-shore or swings to a light cross-offshore. The energy stays moderate (360 to 804), but the quality is only marginal. By Tuesday afternoon, there’s a slight improvement with a clean-ish look, but still not worth a special trip.

Now, Wednesday the 9th through Friday the 11th, we start to see a shift. The wind goes cross-offshore and the swell direction settles into a solid SSW. Swell heights creep up to 5ft, and the period stretches out to 15-18 seconds, which is proper groundswell. The energy jumps too – Thursday the 10th hits 1461, and Friday the 11th gets up to 2133. That’s strong energy. The problem is the scores are still low, and the conditions are called “marginal” thanks to the risk of thunderstorms. Still, for a surfer who knows the reef, there’ll be clean waves if you can dodge the weather.

The standout window is Saturday the 12th and Sunday the 13th of September. This is the best on offer. Saturday morning sees a 5ft SSW swell, 18-second period, clean cross-offshore wind, and energy at 2274. That’s a lot of power. This is a long-period groundswell, which on a reef like Dondra is a beautiful thing – the waves will have shape and push. Sunday the 13th holds similar size at 6ft, 16-second period, and energy at 1551. The wind stays clean. The crowds here are “sometimes,” so with the weak early week, you might have a few more bodies out, but it’s not a zoo. This is the time to get in the water.

After that, Monday the 14th through Wednesday the 16th keeps the swell alive, but the energy drops a bit and the wind stays fresh. Still clean, still rideable, but not as punchy. Thursday the 17th and Friday the 18th see the wind turn cross-shore again, bringing back some lumpy chop, so quality drops.

The very end of the window, Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th, shows a final push. Swell builds to 7ft on Saturday morning (energy 2234), but it’s pretty big for the average punter. By Saturday afternoon, the wind goes cross-offshore and the swell drops to 7ft, still clean. Sunday the 20th has a 6ft south swell, clean, with energy at 1362. That’s a solid end to the run.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a write-off. The best surf is from Saturday the 12th through Sunday the 13th, with a strong, clean SSW groundswell. If you can get out then, you’ll be rewarded. The weekend of the 19th-20th is also worth a look, but it’s bigger and more for the experienced crew.

Rusty out.

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