Donkin Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and we’ve got a solid 16-day window ahead for Donkin Bay (reef and point). The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The pattern starts with small, clean, but not quite firing surf, then builds into a cracking run of solid, clean groundswell that’ll have the point reeling. There’s a big gap in the middle of the second week where it goes flat or messy, so don’t sleep on the good days.

The first real action kicks off Monday the 20th. Morning is clean with a light cross-offshore breeze, 5 ft SW swell at 10 seconds (moderate wave energy at 494). It’s a fun, manageable size – not too big, not too small. The afternoon gets a bit cross and drops off, so make the early call.

Tuesday the 21st morning is glassy – near zero wind, clean as a whistle, with a small 2 ft SW swell but a very long period of 15 seconds. That’s proper groundswell, and while it’s small, that long period will groom itself beautifully at Donkin Bay’s reef and point setup. Light energy (300), but it’ll be lined up and fun.

Thursday the 23rd morning is a standout. Clean again with a cross-offshore ENE breeze, 5 ft SW swell at 12 seconds (moderate energy at 568). The conditions are described as “very good” – this is a session you’ll be talking about.

Now, the real highlight is Friday the 24th. That morning is a beast for experienced surfers: 8 ft of SW groundswell with a 16-second period, generating very strong wave energy (2808). The wind is light and cross-offshore from the east, so it’ll be clean. This is big, powerful, and long-period – it’ll be working best on the reef and point, but it’s only for those with the skills. The afternoon stays clean with 7 ft, but the wind picks up a little.

Saturday the 25th is another cracker. Morning brings 6 ft SW swell at 13 seconds (strong energy at 1164), clean with a cross-offshore breeze. The afternoon turns offshore from the southeast at 12 mph, with 6 ft SW at 13 seconds (strong energy at 1034). That’s the kind of afternoon that gets you stoked – clean, offshore, proper waves.

Sunday the 26th morning is a write-off – 25 mph NE wind, just messy. The whole of the next week goes quiet, with poor surf or small, wind-affected dribble until Monday the 3rd of August when a 6 ft SW swell at 15 seconds rolls in, but with a heavy onshore wind, it’s not worth paddling out for.

The best of the window? Definitely Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th. Big, clean, long-period SW groundswell with light offshore winds. Crowds are possible at Donkin Bay, but with waves this good, you’ll be smiling anyway.

Rusty.

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