Donkin Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, with a look at the coming swell window for Donkin Bay. This reef and point setup is exposed to the south-west, and it’s going to dish up a real mixed bag over the next couple of weeks. There’s some serious energy on the table, but you’ll need to pick your moments.

The standout window kicks off Tuesday the 25th of August. Morning is the call. We’ve got a solid 6 ft SW groundswell, with a nice 14-second period (combined energy of 1499) and a light cross-off breeze. It’s a bit much for beginners at that size, but for the experienced crew, that’s clean, powerful surf. The water’s running at 55°F, which is over 2° colder than normal, so you’ll want a good suit. Crowds can show up here sometimes, so get in early. The afternoon gets messy with a cross-shore wind, so don’t sleep on that morning session.

Wednesday the 26th is worth a look too. The morning has a 5 ft WSW swell, clean with a cross-off breeze. Energy’s dropped to 760, but it’s still decent. After that, the swell hangs around but the wind turns on and off, and by Thursday the 27th morning we get glassy conditions with a 4 ft SW swell (406 energy). That’s a nice, clean little session, but the afternoon gets blown out.

Friday the 28th is small, with a 2 ft WSW groundswell that has a very long 16-second period (443 energy). That length means it’ll wrap in nicely at this reef and point, but it’s a small wave. Morning has a light cross-off, so it’s clean, just gutless.

The weekend sees a bump up. Saturday the 29th has a 4 ft WSW swell, but the wind is onshore in the morning and turns cross in the arvo with a chop. Sunday the 30th is similar, with a building 5 ft swell, but a fresh cross-shore wind makes it lumpy. Not the best for paddling.

Monday the 31st morning is a gem: clean, 5 ft WSW groundswell with a light cross-off breeze and an energy of 698. That’s a solid, clean wave. But the arvo gets hammered by a 19 mph wind.

Into September, Tuesday the 1st morning is glassy with a 4 ft SW swell (390 energy). That’s a beautiful, clean morning, but get out early before the wind picks up.

Now, for the brave. Wednesday the 2nd of September brings a pumping 8 ft WSW swell (2553 energy). That’s only for experts, and the morning has a light cross-shore wind, but the arvo is clean with a 22 mph cross-off. Big and powerful.

Thursday the 3rd of September is proper heavy. We’re looking at an 12 ft SW swell with an 11-second period and an energy of 2534 in the morning, building to 3617 in the arvo. The wind is strong offshore from the ESE. That’s clean, but it’s too big for this break – only the most experienced chargers should even consider it. For everyone else, it might be more of a spectator sport.

After that, the swell drops. Friday the 4th of September arvo offers a clean 5 ft SW swell with a nice offshore breeze (515 energy). That’s a good, manageable wave for intermediate surfers. The following weekend and into the second week the swell gets small and the winds are mostly strong, with a lot of poor conditions. Sunday the 6th of September arvo is a nice surprise – glassy with a 4 ft WSW groundswell (530 energy). The rest of the window through to the 9th is small, blown-out, and not worth paddling out for.

Best on offer: Tuesday the 25th of August morning and Monday the 31st of August morning. Both have clean conditions, solid SW groundswell, and the right wind. Don’t sleep on Thursday the 27th morning for a glassy, smaller session, or Sunday the 6th of September arvo for a late call.

Rusty.

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