Surf Forecasts:
Donkin Bay surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 12s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 13s period, SW swell with 1,645 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 12s 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 12s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Donkin Bay in the next 16 days are 2.3m 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Donkin Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here with the long-range look at what's coming our way.
We’ve got a solid run of surf on the horizon, but you’ll need to pick your windows carefully. The pattern is a bit of a mixed bag, with some clean, glassy mornings and some real windy, choppy afternoons. The standouts are clear, so let’s get into it.
The water temperature is sitting right around average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.
The best bet on offer is Thursday morning, August 20th at Donkin Bay. We’re looking at a clean 7 ft swell from the SW with a period of 12 seconds, and a light cross-off breeze from the S at 6 mph. The combined wave energy is sitting at 1169 (moderate), but the conditions are set up excellent for experienced surfers. This is the one to circle.
After that, things get a bit messy with building winds on Thursday afternoon, but the next real standout is Sunday morning, August 23rd. The swell drops back a touch to 6 ft from the WSW, but with a longer 13-second period and a light cross-off breeze from the S at 6 mph, it’ll be clean again. The energy is at 1117 (moderate). This is another great call for the weekend.
Tuesday afternoon, August 25th is another one to keep an eye on. A 6 ft SW swell with a 14-second period and a clean offshore breeze from the ESE at 12 mph. The energy is 1267 (moderate). The wind is offshore, so it’ll be clean and lined up. Just be aware that crowds are possible here, so get out early.
For the long-range, Friday morning, August 28th looks promising but less certain. A 6 ft WSW swell with a 14-second period and a clean cross-off breeze from the ENE at 12 mph. The energy is a more solid 1472 (moderate). It’s a good call, but we’re a week out, so keep an eye on the updates.
The biggest swell of the period shows up on Monday, August 31st with an 8 ft WSW swell, but the wind is messy. The morning has a cross-off breeze from the NE at 16 mph, which keeps it clean, but the afternoon turns cross-on and choppy. That 8 ft wave is big, so only for the experienced crew.
There’s a gap with no real recommendations from the 26th to the 27th, and again from the 29th to the 30th, so don't expect much during those mid-week slumps.
Overall, pick your mornings, especially Thursday, Sunday, and Tuesday, and you’ll score.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Wed night, calm by Sat morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 35°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 10 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1094 | 1169 | 1475 | 1209 | 778 | 589 | 471 | 361 | 270 | 308 | 1117 | 1134 | 936 | 710 | 681 | 291 | 1179 | 1267 | 946 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:14AM1.10m | 8:39PM1.14m | 9:52AM1.04m | 10:26PM1.09m | 11:45AM1.08m | 00:01AM1.15m | 12:51PM1.19m | 00:58AM1.25m | 1:31PM1.32m | 1:37AM1.37m | 2:03PM1.46m | 2:11AM1.47m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:54AM0.60m | 2:00PM0.70m | 3:19AM0.69m | 4:05PM0.78m | 5:36AM0.67m | 6:14PM0.72m | 6:46AM0.57m | 7:09PM0.60m | 7:27AM0.46m | 7:47PM0.49m | 7:59AM0.34m | 8:18PM0.37m | |||||||
 |  | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — |
 | 6:22 | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:25 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 19 | 16 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 27 | 35 | 30 |
Feels °C | 9 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 17 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 22 | 29 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 10 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | SSW 8 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 13 |
| kJ | 1094 | 1169 | 1475 | 1209 | 778 | 589 | 471 | 361 | 270 | 308 | 1117 | 1134 | 936 | 710 | 681 | 198 | 1179 | 1267 | 946 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 18 | WSW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 188 | — | — | — | — | — | 206 | 115 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 16 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 291 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 3 | SSW 4 | — | SW 4 | — | — | SW 4 | SSW 7 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 10 | — | 16 | — | — | 17 | 96 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 272 | 0 | 0 | 101 | 56 | 56 | 101 | 0 | 0 | 221 | 0 | 0 | 300 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 57 |
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.
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