Surf Forecasts:
Donkin Bay surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with 2,722 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 13s period with WSW 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 13s 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 3.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Donkin Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for Donkin Bay (reef and point) over the next couple of weeks.
We’ve got a run of solid, juicy swell on the way, but it’s a bit of a mixed bag with the wind. The water is sitting at 53° – that’s a whopping 6° colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a good thick wetsuit. The good news is the swell direction is sitting right in that optimum SW window for this break, so it’s got the right angle.
The first real standout is this coming Sunday, the 18th. Tuesday morning is actually pretty clean early, with a 7ft WSW swell, 13-second period, and a light cross-off southerly. The combined wave energy is chunky at 1246, so there’s some grunt there. It’s a bit much for beginners at 7ft, but for the experienced crew, it’s firing. The crowds are only *sometimes* a problem here.
Thursday morning, the 20th, looks even cleaner. Same 7ft WSW swell, 12-second period, but with a glassy 5 km/h SSE breeze – that’s a treat. The energy is still solid at 1207. That’s a morning to clear the schedule for.
Then we hit a bit of a lull through the weekend, with messy onshore winds and dropping swell. Not worth paddling out.
The real screamer is the following Sunday, the 23rd. That morning is going to be special. We’re looking at a 8ft WSW swell with a 12-second period, light cross-off SSE wind, and the energy meter is pushing 1735. That’s proper big, powerful surf – expert territory only. Clean as a whistle.
Another long-range standout to keep a loose eye on is Saturday morning, the 29th. That one has a 8ft WSW swell, 14-second period – that’s proper groundswell – and the wind is dead glassy. The energy is way up at 2342. That’s promising but still a fair way out, so don’t bet the farm on it.
A bit later, on Sunday the 30th, the morning looks excellent with an 8ft WSW, 14-second period and a clean offshore east wind. That’s 2734 of wave energy. That is the standout of the whole run – big, clean, and lined up for the point.
From there, the wind gets messy again and the swell drops off, so we’re looking at a run of poor conditions into September.
Overall, the best bet of the whole window is Sunday the 30th, with Thursday the 20th being the top pick in the first week. Don’t bother with the windy afternoons – they get chewed up by the cross-shore breeze.
Stay stoked.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Wed afternoon, light winds from the SSE by Thu morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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) | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1246 | 1030 | 1568 | 1243 | 1005 | 808 | 1207 | 1365 | 1112 | 722 | 589 | 431 | 286 | 469 | 2722 | 1735 | 1447 | 1009 | 776 | 486 | 328 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:50PM1.42m | 7:17AM1.22m | 7:33PM1.27m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:30PM0.44m | 1:07AM0.47m | 1:08PM0.57m | 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 | ||||||||
7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | |
— | 6:21 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:24 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 19 | 17 |
Feels °C | 15 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 17 | 14 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 |
1246 | 1030 | 1568 | 1243 | 1005 | 808 | 1207 | 1365 | 1112 | 722 | 589 | 431 | 286 | 469 | 2722 | 1735 | 1447 | 1009 | 776 | 486 | 328 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 17 | — | — | — | — | — | W 20 | SW 14 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 68 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 18 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 80 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 4 | — | — | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | — | SSW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 5 | SSW 6 |
— | 26 | — | — | 90 | 55 | — | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 44 | 118 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 227 | 56 | 216 | 227 | 0 | 0 | 446 | 0 | 101 | 101 | 185 | 258 | 101 | 31 | 0 | 221 | 0 | 0 | 258 | 215 |
Best forecast wave conditions in West Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.











