Donkin Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s break down Donkin Bay for the next couple weeks. This reef and point break loves a solid SW groundswell, and we’ve got a good run of it.

The water is a frigid 53°, which is a massive 7° colder than normal. You’ll need a thick wetsuit, no question.

The first real surf worth paddling for comes Monday morning, September 7th. A 5ft WSW groundswell (14-second period) rolls in with a NE breeze, keeping things clean. Combined swell energy is moderate at 874, and the sets have proper push. Monday afternoon the wind goes light and cross, so it’s still rideable but a bit less clean.

Tuesday the 8th is a morning session. Swell drops to about 4ft from the WSW (12 seconds), but a light S breeze keeps it clean. Energy is 413 – small but fun.

The big standout is Thursday the 10th. Thursday morning we get a 5ft WSW groundswell with a very long 17-second period. Energy jumps to 2030 – strong. Winds are light to moderate SSE, so it’s clean. This is a proper groundswell – long lines, tons of power, and at a point and reef like Donkin Bay, it’ll set up perfectly. Thursday afternoon gets even bigger: 8ft from the SW (15 seconds) and energy surging to 3184. That’s big, clean, and powerful. This is for experts only, but if you can handle it, this is the best window.

Friday the 11th the swell eases a little but still holds a solid 7ft SW (13 seconds) in the morning with a light SSW breeze. Energy is 1541 – plenty of grunt. It’s a bit cross-shore, so expect some lumpy texture.

Saturday the 12th morning cleans up to a 5ft SW (12 seconds) with light S winds, energy at 640. A good session for intermediates.

Things get messy from Sunday the 13th through Tuesday the 15th with strong onshore winds from the NW and WNW, blowing everything out. The swell sticks around but it’s not worth it.

Wednesday the 16th and Thursday the 17th clean up with SE winds, but the swell is still solid at 7ft to 7ft. Energy is strong, but the winds are fresh, making it a battle.

Friday the 18th morning looks clean with a 5ft SW swell and light E winds. Energy is moderate at 603. A good small-wave option.

Then we get another gem on Saturday the 19th. Saturday morning is glassy – dead calm – with a 4ft SW swell (12 seconds). That’s about as clean as it gets. The real highlight is Saturday afternoon: 6ft from the SW with a 16-second period and light offshore ESE winds. Energy hits 2187. This is excellent, lined-up, powerful surf for experienced surfers. Crowds can be an issue here sometimes, but with that quality, it’s worth it.

Sunday the 20th sees a solid 7ft SW swell but with onshore WSW winds, making it choppy. Not ideal.

Monday the 21st fades out with smaller 4ft to 6ft swell and cross-shore winds, so nothing special.

Bottom line: Thursday the 10th and Saturday the 19th are your days. Thursday for raw power and long-period groundswell, Saturday for the glassy morning and clean offshore afternoon. Don’t miss them.

– Rusty

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