Donkin Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s have a look at what’s coming down the pipe for Donkin Bay. This is a reef and point setup, so it’s got a bit of shape to it, and it’ll handle a decent push from the southwest. The water’s sitting at 56° right now, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll be wanting a good steamer if you’re heading out.

We’ve got a slow start. The first real window of anything worth talking about creeps in on Monday the 13th morning. It’s only small, 2ft from the west, with a period of 10 seconds, and it’s glassy. That’s a “surfable but ordinary” kind of day – fine for a log or a soft-top, but not going to get the heart racing.

Tuesday the 14th is a step up. Morning is glassy again with a 3ft west swell and a clean 11-second period, and the afternoon sees a bit more energy with a cross-off breeze. The combined energy is moderate (205–206), so there’s a little push. It’s good, clean, small-wave fun.

The real standout in this run is Thursday the 17th morning. The swell bumps up to 7ft from the southwest, with a 12-second period, and the wind is a light cross-off from the SSE. The combined energy is strong at 1076, and the conditions are set up for experienced surfers. This is clean, solid, and has some real punch. That’s the pick of the near-term, hands down.

If you’re looking a bit further ahead, Saturday the 18th morning is also a beauty. We’ve got 6ft from the southwest, a 14-second period, and an offshore breeze from the east. The energy is strong at 1374, and the waves will be clean and well-shaped. This is another one for the experienced crew, but it’s a proper session.

Now, after that, things get a bit messy. The 19th and 20th are blown out by onshore winds, and then we get a serious pulse of big swell. On the 21st, we’re looking at 10ft to 12ft from the west, but the wind is cross-on, and the break is predicted to be too big. The energy is strong (1561–2725), but this is only for experts, and even then, it’s a heavy, tricky paddle. The 22nd is even bigger, with 13ft and 12ft, and the energy is off the charts (7289–4020). Again, too big for most, and the wind is cross-off, so it’s clean but massive. This is more of a tow-in or watch-from-the-cliffs kind of day.

The 23rd morning drops back to 7ft from the WSW, glassy, and with a 12-second period. The energy is still strong at 1402, and it’s excellent for experienced surfers. That’s another good window if you can handle the size.

The 24th and 25th morning are also big, with 12ft and 8ft swells, but the 25th morning is glassy with a 13-second period, making it a clean, powerful option for the experienced. The 26th morning is a solid 6ft with a cross-off breeze and a 12-second period, which is a nice way to finish the run.

So, to sum it up: the best on offer is Thursday the 17th morning and Saturday the 18th morning. Both are clean, solid, and have that southwest groundswell working perfectly on the reef. Get on it if you’re keen, because the middle of the second week is a massive, expert-only affair.

Rusty.

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