
Surf Forecasts:
Donkin Bay surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 17s period, SW swell with 3,587 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Donkin Bay this week:
The surf forecast for Donkin Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 15s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Donkin Bay in the next 16 days are 2.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 8ft (2.4m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Donkin Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s break down what’s coming for Donkin Bay. This is a reef and point setup that’s reliable and loves a good SW groundswell. We’ve got a nice run of surf, but the big one is a proper pulse that’ll get the experts frothing.
The first decent surf shows up on the morning of Saturday, July 18th. It’s a clean 4ft SW swell with a 10-second period, and the wind is glassy from the north, so the water’s like a sheet of glass. The combined wave energy is moderate at 250, nothing huge, but it’s a fun, clean start.
Sunday morning, the 19th, is even better. The swell holds at 4ft from the SW, but the period stretches to 12 seconds, giving it more shape. The wind is light and cross-offshore from the south, so expect clean lines. The energy bumps to 467 (moderate), making for a solid session.
Monday morning, the 20th, is another good one. Swell pushes up to 4ft SW, 10-second period, with light cross-offshore wind from the SSE. The water’s clean, and the energy is 396 (moderate). A great morning paddle.
Now, the real standout is Thursday, July 24th. We’ve got a serious pulse of SW groundswell. The morning sees 8ft at a very long 16-second period, with a light offshore wind from the southeast. The combined energy is a massive 2832 (very strong). This is proper groundswell, and at a reef and point, it’s going to hold its shape and line up perfectly. The power is serious—this is for experienced surfers only, as it’s well over 8ft. The afternoon keeps it going with a 8ft SW swell at 14 seconds and clean cross-offshore wind, energy at 2267. This is the best session on offer.
A couple of other days are worth a mention. Monday the 27th afternoon has a 5ft SW swell at 15 seconds, with glassy conditions from the north, and the energy is 1049 (strong). It’s a solid, clean option for the experienced crew. Wednesday the 22nd has a morning with 6ft SW swell at 13 seconds, but the wind is onshore from the WNW, which will mess with the surface. The energy is 1080 (strong), but the quality is poor.
The water temperature is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual.
The rest of the run has smaller, cleaner days, like the 4ft on the morning of August 1st, but nothing that matches the intensity of the 24th.
So, the clear standout is Thursday, July 24th. That morning session with the 8ft SW groundswell, 16-second period, and offshore wind is the one to circle. It’s a powerful, clean day for the experts. The second-best is the 27th afternoon, with glassy conditions and a long-period 5ft swell.
Stay safe out there, and don’t miss that Thursday gold.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | SW 10 | WSW 10 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 10 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
279 | 216 | 144 | 386 | 314 | 268 | 263 | 290 | 162 | 67 | 137 | 265 | 767 | 1067 | 1305 | 1158 | 923 | 821 | 3519 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | glassy | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:56AM1.54m | 6:19PM1.68m | 6:40AM1.43m | 7:01PM1.57m | 7:27AM1.31m | 7:47PM1.44m | 8:20AM1.20m | 8:39PM1.32m | 9:27AM1.13m | 9:46PM1.23m | 10:48AM1.11m | 11:05PM1.19m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:53PM0.16m | 11:59AM0.20m | 00:37AM0.26m | 12:39PM0.32m | 1:23AM0.37m | 1:21PM0.45m | 2:13AM0.47m | 2:11PM0.58m | 3:14AM0.56m | 3:20PM0.67m | 4:36AM0.60m | 4:57PM0.71m | |||||||
— | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | |
6:00 | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 16 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | SW 10 | WSW 10 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 8 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 18 |
279 | 216 | 107 | 386 | 314 | 268 | 263 | 290 | 162 | 67 | 128 | 265 | 767 | 1067 | 1305 | 1158 | 923 | 821 | 3519 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 13 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | SW 10 | SW 15 | SW 11 | W 8 | WNW 8 | — | — | — | WSW 21 | — |
11 | 34 | 144 | 198 | 153 | 138 | 98 | 96 | 89 | 63 | 137 | 126 | 12 | 13 | — | — | — | 42 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SW 9 | — | — | — | W 18 | SW 16 | SW 11 | W 9 | SW 8 | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 65 | — | — | — | 6 | 10 | 101 | 58 | 28 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | — | — | SSW 3 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 56 | 0 | 101 | 0 | 0 | 101 | 0 | 0 | 103 | 0 | 56 | 101 | 0 | 254 | 248 | 0 | 0 | 101 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in West Coast | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Donkin Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Donkin Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Donkin Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Donkin Bay surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Donkin Bay) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Donkin Bay may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Donkin Bay is 136 km (84 miles) from Saldanha. If you plan a holiday in West Coast, look for hotels and other accommodation in Saldanha. Saldanha has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










