Donkin Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's coming down the line for us.

Right off the bat, this is a tricky forecast. We’ve got a lot of energy in the water, but the wind and size are going to be fighting us most of the time. The standout session here is without a doubt Sunday the 9th of August, but it's a session strictly for the experienced crew.

For the next week, the pattern is messy. Friday the 7th starts with a clean 8ft SW groundswell at Donkin Bay, but the E wind is cross-off, keeping it okay but not perfect. The real issue is the energy – it's pumping with 2148 (moderate energy) but the wind is going to be a factor. The afternoon gets worse as the wind picks up to 19 mph from the south.

Saturday the 8th is a write-off for quality surfing; the swell drops a little to 7ft but it's crossed up and messy with a moderate cross-shore chop.

Now, Sunday the 9th. This is the one. We’ve got a solid 10ft SW swell hitting the coast with a clean cross-off breeze. The combined energy is through the roof at 2702 (strong) in the morning, and even bigger at 3543 (very strong) in the afternoon. This is proper groundswell, long period at 13 seconds, meaning the waves will have real punch and shape. But let’s be real – 10ft is big. This is for experienced surfers only. The offshore wind is from the south, which keeps it clean, but you’d better know what you’re doing out there. If you’re a beginner, stay on the sand.

Monday the 10th looks like a slight reprieve. The swell drops to 5ft, and while the morning is clean, the energy drops to 629. The afternoon is the real surprise with a 4ft SW swell and a proper offshore breeze from the SE. It’s glassy and clean, a much more manageable size. This is your best bet if you missed the big Sunday session or want something a bit more chilled. Water temp is about average for this time of year.

From Tuesday the 11th through the rest of the week, it’s a real mixed bag. The swell sticks around but the wind is all over the place – strong offshore winds from the NE on Wednesday and Thursday the 13th will be creating some tricky, bumpy conditions even though the swell is solid. Wednesday the 12th has a 4ft swell but with a ridiculously long 19-second period from the WSW. That kind of period can make for some weird, straight-breaking waves at a beach, but at a reef and point like Donkin Bay, it could actually line up nicely if you can handle the 28 mph NE wind.

Jumping ahead to the following week, there’s another promising window. Monday the 17th of August has a clean 7ft WSW swell with light winds from the NE, and Tuesday the 18th looks even better. Tuesday morning has a 7ft SW swell with a glassy, almost calm offshore breeze from the ESE. That’s the kind of morning you wait for. Combined energy is 1376 (moderate), but the conditions look excellent. That Tuesday afternoon stays clean with a light 9 mph breeze. This is your second standout – a full day of quality, powerful waves without the insane size of the 9th.

After that, it fades. The swell drops off by Thursday the 20th and into the final days of the forecast, we’re looking at small, onshore junk. Friday the 21st and Saturday the 22nd are flat and messy with strong cross-onshore winds. Not worth paddling out.

So, to wrap it up: Sunday the 9th is the big, powerful, expert-only day. Monday the 10th afternoon and Monday and Tuesday the 17th & 18th are your best bets for cleaner, more manageable surf. The rest is a battle with the wind.

Stay safe out there.

Rusty

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