Dondra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Dondra over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, I gotta be honest with you – the first week and a half is a bit of a grind. We’ve got a solid, long-period south swell pushing through from Friday 7th August, but the wind is a problem. It’s a consistent cross-off breeze from the West, mostly around 12 to 16 mph, which isn’t offshore for this reef. It’s keeping things clean enough, but the “marginal surf forecast” tag is a real downer. The tide is just not cooperating, making the waves tricky. The combined energy is strong though, with values ranging from 1,304 up to 2,254 (moderate to very strong energy). The swell is 3 ft to 6 ft, mostly from the S or SSW, with periods between 14 and 17 seconds – that’s real groundswell. It’s a shame because the quality is just not there for a good session. The wind stays mostly cross-off through this whole period, so it’s not a complete washout, but it’s not the kind of forecast that gets you excited.

The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so the anomaly is normal. No need to worry about a wetsuit.

Now, look at the second week. It stays pretty average through the 14th and 15th of August, with the swell dropping to 3 ft to 5 ft and the energy falling off. The 16th and 17th look even weaker, with the 17th actually showing “poor surf conditions” at 2 ft to 3 ft. That’s a real low point.

But then, things finally start to look up. Starting on Tuesday 18th August, we see a proper pulse of SSW swell. The heights jump to 7 ft to 7 ft, with periods of 17 to 18 seconds, and the combined energy rockets up to 3,133 to 3,409 (very strong). The wind is still cross-off from the West, but the wave quality is finally hitting a 4 out of 10. That’s the best we’ll see.

The real standout comes on Wednesday 19th August. The swell is 7 ft to 7 ft from the SSW, with a 16-second period. The combined energy is massive – 4,255 to 4,538 (very strong). The wind is cross-off, and the skies are clear. It’s still not a perfect forecast, but it’s the best on offer. This is a long-range call, so it’s a bit promising but you’ll want to keep an eye on it.

Thursday 20th August holds up well too, with 8 ft SSW swell and 3,376 to 3,599 energy. The wind is still cross-off, and the skies are clear for the afternoon. That’s a solid couple of days.

The last few days, the 21st and 22nd, see the size drop slightly to 7 ft to 8 ft, and the period drops to 14 to 16 seconds. The energy is still strong (1,850 to 2,736), but the wind is still cross-off and the scores are a bit lower. It’s not a total write-off, but the 19th and 20th are the pick.

Bottom line: We’ve got a long, slow start with mediocre conditions. The best window is from Tuesday 18th August through to Thursday 20th August. That’s when the swell is biggest and the scores are highest. The 19th is your best bet, with that huge SSW groundswell and clean, cross-off wind. Just remember, this is a long-range forecast, so treat it with a little caution. Stay safe out there.

Rusty.

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