Dongara-Port Denison Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid 16-day window ahead for Dongara-Port Denison, but it’s a real mixed bag. The first few days are a bit ordinary, but the second half of the outlook has some proper standouts for those who can wait. The water’s sitting around 67°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year – you’ll feel that chill if you’re in the water too long.

We kick off Thursday the 30th of July. It’s not much to write home about – a 5ft SW swell with a 7-second period, but it’s coming in on a cross-shore wind. The wave energy’s moderate (1200), but the whole thing’s a bit marginal. Friday the 31st bumps up to 7ft from the SW, period stretching to 17 seconds, and energy climbing (2285). The wind’s cross-shore again early, turning onshore later – still not clean enough to get excited.

Saturday the 1st of August is where it starts to turn. The swell holds at 8ft SW, period 15 seconds, and we get a clean cross-offshore wind from the ESE in the morning. The energy’s chunky (2329), and the wave state is described as clean. It’s still solid enough that inexperienced surfers will find it a handful. Afternoon stays clean but picks up a bit of breeze.

Sunday the 2nd of August morning brings a 8ft SW swell with a 14-second period – that’s a bit shorter, meaning the waves might not have the same push. Energy’s strong (2598) and it’s clean with a cross-off wind. The standout for this first weekend is Sunday afternoon: same 8ft, but the wind drops to a light cross-off and the conditions are clean. It’s the pick of the early days.

Now, Monday the 3rd of August. This is a little gem. The swell drops back to 6ft from the SW, period 15 seconds, but the wind goes glassy in the morning – 5 km/h from the west. Wave energy is moderate (1526), but glassy conditions on a reef break like this? That’s as good as it gets for a clean session. Not a crowd-buster though – this spot sometimes gets busy, so keep that in mind.

Then we hit Tuesday the 4th of August. This is the big one. The morning shows a 10ft SW swell with a 19-second period – that’s very long-period groundswell, packing serious energy (5302). It’s big and powerful. The wind is a light cross-off from the SSE, keeping it clean. This is only for experienced surfers – at over 8ft, it’s expert territory. The wave state is rated exceptional for experts. The afternoon stays big but gets a cross-shore chop.

Wednesday the 5th of August: morning comes in with a 8ft SW swell, 16-second period, and an offshore wind from the ESE. Energy’s strong (3680) and it’s clean. Another great call for experienced surfers.

Thursday the 6th of August morning: 8ft SW, 15-second period, light cross-off wind from the NNE. Clean and excellent for experienced surfers. The afternoon turns cross-onshore and choppy though.

Friday the 7th of August: here comes the gunk. A 12ft WSW swell and 22 mph cross-onshore winds – the energy jumps to 4963, but the conditions are poor. Saturday the 8th is worse: 13ft to 12ft SW with strong cross-onshore winds and a messy sea. This stretch is a write-off for paddle surfing – if you’ve got a kite, this might be your jam.

Sunday the 9th of August: things clean up in a big way. Morning: 12ft SW, 15-second period, cross-off wind from the SSE. Energy is huge (4746). Afternoon is even better: 12ft SW, 16-second period, same cross-off wind, energy surging to 6544. The wave state is exceptional for experts. This is the best window of the whole outlook – powerful, clean, and consistent.

Monday the 10th of August morning: still going strong. 12ft SW, 16-second period, cross-off wind from the ENE, energy at 5827. Exceptional for experts. The afternoon turns cross-onshore and choppy, so get it early.

From Tuesday the 11th of August onwards, it’s a messy decline. Strong cross-onshore winds and poor conditions through to Thursday the 13th, with big swells but blown-out seas. Friday the 14th of August brings a small reprieve: morning shows a 8ft SW swell, 17-second period, and an offshore ESE wind at 12 mph. Energy is strong (3950) and it’s clean again – a late win for experienced surfers.

The real standout is Tuesday the 4th of August morning and Sunday the 9th of August afternoon. Both are powerful, clean, and built for experts. The rest of the window has moments, but those two are the ones to circle.

Rusty.

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