Donkin Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s going on at Donkin Bay.

The forecast starts with a bit of a wait. There’s nothing worth paddling out for until Friday morning, August 21st. The overall pattern starts with a clean but average-sized SW swell, builds into a proper weekend, then gets a bit messy before a massive pulse shows up deep in the second week.

Friday morning, August 21st is where we start. Donkin Bay is seeing a 6ft swell from the SW with a 12-second period. The combined energy is moderate (778). Winds are light from the south, giving us cross-offshore conditions and clean surf. This is a solid, workable wave for an intermediate, and the water temp is about average for this time of year. Friday afternoon, however, goes downhill fast as the wind swings SSW and picks up to 12 mph, turning it choppy and cross. Not worth it.

Saturday morning, August 22nd is a treat. The swell drops a touch to 4ft from the SW, period at 10 seconds, but the wind goes glassy – 3 mph from the SSW. The combined energy is lighter (355), but it’s going to be smooth and clean. This is a great window for a longboard or a funboard, with light crowds possible. Afternoon gets blown out again.

Now, Sunday morning, August 23rd is one of the true standouts. The swell jumps to 6ft from the WSW with a 13-second period. That longer period gives it some real push, and the combined energy is strong (1226). Wind is light from the south, cross-off, keeping it clean. This is excellent for experienced surfers, though at 6ft it’s getting a bit solid for beginners. Expect a few others out there, but the quality will be worth it. Monday morning is a step down but still a decent 6ft from the WSW with a 12-second period and clean cross-off wind, though the afternoon gets hammered by 19 mph winds.

Tuesday morning, August 25th is another highlight. The swell is 5ft from the SW, but the period stretches out to 14 seconds, giving it that groundswell feel. The combined energy is high (1092). Winds are light from the SSE, cross-off, and the surf is clean. That longer period will make the waves shape up nicely, especially on a reef-and-point setup like Donkin Bay. A great call for a mid-week paddle.

Things get a bit unreliable from Wednesday through to the end of the month. The wind shifts onshore or cross, and the quality drops. There are a few moments – like Thursday afternoon, August 27th, with a small clean 3ft from the WSW – but mostly it’s a waiting game.

Then we hit Thursday morning, September 3rd. The swell absolutely roars in at 10ft from the WSW, period 13 seconds, and the combined energy is huge (3314). Wind is light from the SSE, cross-off, and it’s clean. But here’s the thing – this is too big for Donkin Bay unless you’re a serious expert. The file even flags it as potentially too big for the break. This is big-wave territory only. The same goes for Friday, September 4th, with 12ft from the SW and strong energy. Experts only, and even then, it’s a serious session.

After that, it fades back to 5ft on Saturday, September 5th, but with a moderate cross-onshore wind, so not great.

Best on offer: Sunday morning, August 23rd, and Tuesday morning, August 25th. Both have clean conditions, solid swell from the optimum SW direction, and good energy. The Sunday session is bigger and more powerful; the Tuesday session has that lovely long-period groundswell.

Stay safe out there.
Rusty

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