Dongara-Port Denison Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty here. We’ve got a solid run of swell headed our way at Dongara-Port Denison, but the quality is going to be all over the shop. The ocean’s got plenty of energy in the water, but the wind is going to be the main player in whether you get a clean one or a lumpy mess. The water temp is sitting at 66°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, nothing out of the ordinary.

The first real chance for a decent wave comes Thursday morning, the 27th of August. There’s a big 12 ft southwest swell with a very long 16-second period, so the energy is way up there (5218). But the wind is a moderate cross-shore, so it’s going to be a bit of a battle with a cross-chop. It’s a marginal call, but if you’re keen, the swell is there. Thursday afternoon drops to 10 ft, but the wind picks up to a fresh 19 mph, making it lumpy. Not the best.

Friday the 28th is cleaner, with a cross-offshore breeze and a 8 ft southwest swell. The period drops to 13 seconds, so it’s a bit weaker, but the energy (1921) is still moderate. It’s a more manageable size, but still marginal. Saturday the 29th is a real standout. The swell drops to 3 ft, but the period stretches to 20 seconds – that’s proper groundswell. The wind is offshore from the ESE, and the wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” The energy (935) is moderate, but that long period is going to give you some beautifully shaped waves at this reef, though it might be a bit inconsistent. If you’re a patient surfer, this is the pick of the first week.

Sunday the 30th is another cracker, especially the morning. The swell is 8 ft from the southwest, with a 19-second period, and the wind is glassy offshore from the ENE at just 3 mph. The energy is strong (4035), and it’s clean. This is one for the experienced surfers, as it’s a bit big, but the conditions are top-notch. The afternoon turns cross-on, so don’t sleep in.

Monday the 31st is a write-off with onshore wind, and Tuesday the 1st of September kicks off with a glimmer of hope. Tuesday morning is glassy, with a 6 ft southwest swell and a 16-second period. The energy (1962) is moderate, but with no wind, it’s clean. The wave comment says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers,” so a good one for the early birds.

There’s a bit of a gap after Tuesday afternoon, with mediocre conditions through Wednesday the 2nd to Thursday the 3rd, and then things get messy on Friday the 4th with poor surf and rain. Saturday the 5th of September is a nice comeback. The morning is clean with a cross-offshore wind and a 7 ft southwest swell, period 15 seconds. The energy (2010) is moderate, but it’s a solid, clean wave. Another good one for the experienced crew.

After that, Sunday the 6th is a brief glassy morning with a smaller 5 ft swell, but the afternoon gets blown out. Monday the 7th is a standout for the second week. The morning is clean with a light cross-offshore wind, a 7 ft southwest swell, and a 17-second period. The energy (2564) is strong, and it’s clean. This is a real opportunity for some good waves.

The rest of the week fades into onshore and cross-onshore winds, with a few marginal mornings. Wednesday the 9th of September has a clean offshore morning with a 5 ft southwest swell, 16-second period, and light wind. The energy (1280) is moderate, but it’s a nice, clean wave for those who want a smaller session. The final standout is Friday the 11th of September morning, with a cross-offshore breeze and a 7 ft southwest swell, 17-second period. The energy (2293) is strong, and it’s clean. That’s a good note to end on, but it’s a bit far out, so keep an eye on it.

The absolute best of the whole period is Sunday morning the 30th of August – that glassy, offshore 8 ft swell with 19-second period is a dream setup for the experienced surfer. The second best is Saturday the 29th of August morning, with the tiny but long-period groundswell and offshore wind – that’s a clean, beautiful wave if you’ve got a log.

Rusty.

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