Donkin Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into the outlook for Donkin Bay. This is a reef and point set-up that’s fairly consistent, and we’ve got a solid run of surf coming our way.

The water temperature is sitting about average for the time of year, so nothing too wild on that front. We’re looking at a week of clean, manageable waves, followed by a big spike in size that’ll only be for the hardcore crew, then a taper back to more fun-sized stuff.

The action starts Friday morning, July 17th. Donkin Bay is serving up a clean 5ft SW swell with an 11-second period, and the wind is glassy out of the SE. It’s a classic setup, with moderate wave energy (497). The afternoon sees a cross-off breeze, but the swell holds at 4ft. Saturday morning the 18th is a beauty – glassy again, with a 4ft SW swell. The swell dips a bit Saturday afternoon, but Sunday the 19th bounces back with 4ft to 3ft SW swell and clean conditions all day. Monday the 20th is more of the same – clean, consistent 3ft SW swell. Tuesday morning the 21st is still clean with a 2ft SW swell, but that long 14-second period means it’ll be a bit more walled up and better for the point than the beach.

Now, Wednesday the 22nd is a write-off for paddle surfing. A strong cross-onshore wind kicks up, and the swell jumps to 7ft with a massive energy reading (1615). It’s lumpy and messy. Thursday the 23rd cleans up nicely with a 6ft to 5ft WSW swell and cross-off winds – that’s the sweet spot coming back.

The real standout, and the best on offer, is Friday the 24th. Donkin Bay is looking at a pumping 8ft WSW groundswell with a 15-second period. The wind is offshore out of the ESE, and the energy is huge (2585). This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. The point will handle this long-period groundswell perfectly, offering up some proper shaped waves. Crowds are possible here, so get in early.

Saturday the 25th gets too big for this break. That 10ft to 12ft SW swell with a 16-second period is just too much power (4883 to 5577 energy). The wind is clean, but it’s a full-on, experts-only situation, if even that. Sunday the 26th is still big at 8ft, but with fresh offshore winds.

After that, things settle down. Monday the 27th afternoon swings back to good with a 4ft SW swell and clean cross-off wind. The rest of the week into August 1st sees a mix of manageable 4ft to 6ft WSW swell, with Thursday the 30th afternoon and Friday the 31st afternoon looking particularly clean and fun. The weekend of August 1st has a sneaky good 5ft WSW swell with a very long 20-second period (2065 energy), but that long period will be more interesting at the point than the shorebreak.

So, overall: Friday the 24th is the day to circle. Get the big board ready for the clean, offshore groundswell. The rest of the week is full of fun, clean waves, just avoid that Wednesday the 22nd and Saturday the 25th.

Rusty, signing off.

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