Dondra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s talk about Dondra, mate.

Water temp is a warm 83°F, which is dead average for the season. The wind is gonna be a constant cross-off from the West, blowing 15 to 19 mph, keeping the surface smooth but it’s a steady breeze. The wave energy builds through the period, starting off moderate and then getting real strong.

From Monday the 27th through Friday the 31st, it’s small stuff – waist high at best. Swell is from the SSE and SSW, with periods from 10 to 18 seconds. That longer period is good for shape on the reef. But the reports are calling it "marginal," so don’t expect fireworks. The wind is cross-off, which is a plus, but you’ll be dealing with some storm clouds.

The first session to look at is the afternoon of Friday the 31st of July. You’ll see a 4ft swell from the SSW, with a 18-second period and a combined energy reading of 1317. That’s the best of the early stuff. Crowds are listed as "sometimes," so you might have a few mates out, but nothing too packed.

Things get weird on Sunday the 2nd of August. The swell pumps up to 8ft, but it’s a short-period, 7-second windswell from the West. That’s gonna be a rough, choppy mess. The combined energy is high, over 1100, but it’s all junk. Skip it.

Now, the real standout is the weekend of August 8th and 9th. Saturday the 8th brings a 6ft to 7ft swell from the South, with a period of 19 to 20 seconds. That’s a long, powerful groundswell. The combined energy is massive – 3696 in the morning and 4320 in the afternoon. That’s serious wave energy. The wind is still cross-off from the West at 19 mph, so the surface will be clean. Sunday the 9th is similar, with a 7ft South swell, 16-second period, and energy still in the 3000s. This is the best of the whole 16 days. For a reef break like Dondra, that long-period South swell will be a dream. It’s big enough to get your blood pumping, but not too big for a solid intermediate. After that, it backs off a bit, but it’s still good into the 11th.

So, the first week is a bit of a slow burn. The best early call is the afternoon of the 31st of July. The real gold is the weekend of the 8th and 9th of August – that’s the one to get excited about.

Rusty.

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