Dongara-Port Denison Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Dongara-Port Denison.

The next 16 days are a mixed bag, and honestly, the opening stretch is a tough watch. There’s nothing worth paddling out for through Tuesday the 25th or Wednesday the 26th. The wind is all over the place, mostly cross-onshore or cross, and the surf quality gets a big thumbs down. On the 26th, the swell jumps to 8.2ft and then 11.5ft from the WSW with a 16-18 second period, but a strong NW then WNW wind keeps it choppy and messy – that’s more of a kite day than a surf day.

Thursday the 27th is still ugly. The swell hits 13.1ft from the SW with a 16-second period, and combined energy is very strong at 7137, but fresh cross-shore winds up to 18.6 mph and rain showers make it lumpy and borderline dangerous for anything but the most experienced. The same goes into Friday the 28th – swell dropping to 7.5ft, but still cross-shore wind and a cross-chop.

Now, things start to turn around from Saturday the 29th. That morning, the wind swings around to a light cross-offshore from the SE at 9.3 mph, and the surf cleans right up. Swell is 3.0ft from the WSW with a very long 20-second period – that’s proper groundswell. Combined energy is moderate at 1812. This is a standout for experienced surfers, but remember, that long period will make it break straight on the beach, so for a reef break like Dongara-Port Denison, it should line up nicely. The water temp is 66.4°, which is about normal for this time of year, with a slight anomaly of -1.4°, nothing to worry about.

Sunday the 30th morning is another cracker. Light ESE breeze at 6.2 mph, cross-offshore, 7.9ft from the SW with a 17-second period, and combined energy is strong at 3459. Clean conditions and good power – this is the best on offer across the whole outlook. Crowds are sometimes a thing here, so keep that in mind.

Monday the 31st fades a bit – wind turns cross-onshore again, swell around 6.6ft, still some energy but messy. Then Tuesday September 1st morning is a real gem: glassy conditions, SSE wind at just 3.1 mph, cross-offshore, 6.6ft from the SW with a 16-second period, combined energy 1933. Clean as a whistle – another top session for those who can get out.

The second week gets patchier. Wednesday September 2nd through Thursday September 3rd morning has some promise. On the 3rd, early light ESE offshore wind at 6.2 mph, 4.3ft from the SW with 13-second period – not huge but clean. The afternoon gets chopped up again.

Friday September 4th and Saturday September 5th show some size – 8.2ft and 11.5ft from the SW – but the wind is onshore or cross, and the quality is marginal. The 5th morning has light wind and rain showers, combined energy at 5953, but it’s cross-shore with ripples, so it’s not polished.

From Sunday September 6th onward, it gets pretty average. Strong onshore winds, some 21.7 mph gusts, and marginal or poor conditions right through to the end of the forecast window on September 9th. There’s a glimpse of hope on Tuesday September 8th morning with a clean offshore wind from the ESE at 15.5 mph, 5.9ft from the SW, 13-second period – but that’s a fair way out, so pin it as promising but not locked in.

Bottom line: hit Saturday the 30th or Tuesday September 1st for the best windows. The reef handles the long-period groundswell well, and the mornings are glassy. The rest of the run is either too windy, too lumpy, or just average. If the crowds are there, get in early. This is a spot that can turn it on when the stars align.

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