Donkin Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid stretch of surf ahead at Donkin Bay, a reef and point setup that knows how to handle a south-west groundswell. The water is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, sitting at 56°F, about 3°F chillier than average for July – so you’ll want a decent hood or a thicker suit to stay out there comfortably.

The first real call is Wednesday afternoon, the 15th. Swell comes in at 5ft from the WSW with a long 16-second period, pushing a combined energy of 1039 (moderate). It’s cross-off with a south wind at 9 mph, keeping things clean. Not the biggest, but it’s a good gentle start.

Thursday morning the 16th is the standout early in the run. That swell bumps to 7ft from the WSW, still a groundswell at 13 seconds, and the combined energy hits 1752 (strong). Wind is light cross-off from the SSE at 6 mph – the surf will be clean and powerful. This is for experienced surfers only though; over 7ft and it’s expert territory.

Friday morning the 17th is a beauty. Only 5ft from the SW with an 11-second period, but the wind goes glassy from the SSE at 3 mph. Energy reads 506 (moderate). The conditions will be super clean, perfect for intermediate crew. This slot has a very good feeling to it.

Saturday morning the 18th is another glassy session with 4ft from the SW and 10-second swell. Combined energy is a weaker 250, but offshore from the NNW at 3 mph makes it a fun small-wave option for anyone.

Sunday morning the 19th has 4ft from the SW with 12-second period and cross-off SE wind at 6 mph – clean and tidy with moderate energy (549).

Monday the 20th is smaller, around 3ft to 3ft from the SW, with light cross winds. It’s marginal but still surfable on the right tide.

Tuesday the 21st brings a jump: morning has 6ft from SW at 15 seconds, energy 1550 (strong), but cross-on from the north at 6 mph makes it a bit messy. Afternoon gets to 8ft with onshore NW wind at 12 mph – rough for paddling, better left for the experts.

Wednesday the 22nd has 7ft from SW at 13 seconds, but again cross-onshore and bumpy.

Thursday the 23rd sees the biggest numbers: 12ft early from WSW at 15 seconds, combined energy 4853 (very strong). That’s simply too big for this break – expert-only and even then, risky. Afternoon stays at 10ft with onshore wind.

Friday the 24th drops back to 6ft from SW at 12 seconds, with fresh cross-off south wind at 19 mph. The energy is 1026 (moderate), and it stays clean – a good one for strong paddlers.

Saturday the 25th has 8ft from WSW at 14 seconds, energy 2446 (strong). Wind is cross-off from the ENE at 12 mph, so it’s clean but big.

Sunday the 26th is onshore with 6ft from SW – not the best.

Now, the true standout is Monday morning the 27th of July. Swell is 6ft from the SW with a 14-second period, combined energy 1161 (moderate), and the wind goes cross-off from the SSE at just 3 mph. Clean lines, excellent for experienced surfers, and the long period will wrap nicely around this reef and point. That’s the one to mark on your calendar.

Tuesday morning the 28th and Wednesday morning the 29th also come through with 7ft and 7ft respectively, both from the WSW, with light offshore winds – more excellent expert conditions.

Thursday morning the 30th finishes the run with 7ft from the SW at 14 seconds, offshore from the SE at 6 mph, energy 1868 (strong). Another clean, powerful session.

A couple of gaps to mention: there’s no surf recommendation before Wednesday afternoon the 15th, so you’re looking at a dry start to the period. After that, the week is pretty consistent, but the second week has a few bigger, wind-affected days where only the morning windows with light winds are worth chasing. Crowds at Donkin Bay are listed as “sometimes” – so mid-week mornings you should have it mostly to yourself.

Stay safe, read the tides, and don’t sleep on that Monday the 27th.

Rusty.

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