
Surf Forecasts:
Donkin Bay surf forecast from 7 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 7 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 12s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 9 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 15s period, SW swell with 1,788 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 7 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 12s 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 (Jul 07) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 21s. 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 2.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 09) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 08) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Tue 7th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Tue 7th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Donkin Bay over the next 16 days.
Right then, let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Donkin Bay. This spot’s a reef and point set-up, fairly consistent, and it’s exposed to the swell. The water’s runnin’ a touch colder than normal for this time of year, sittin’ at 57°, so you’ll want a decent wetsuit and maybe some booties if you’re feelin’ the cold.
The week kicks off with a bit of a slow start, but hold tight. Tuesday afternoon is a write-off. Wednesday the 8th though, that’s where we get our first real taste. Wednesday morning sees a solid 6ft swell from the SW, a proper 13-second period groundswell, and a clean cross-off breeze from the south. The energy’s pumpin’ strong at 1507, so the waves will have some real grunt. This is a standout for the early part, especially for experienced surfers. The wave quality is excellent, and the wind’s keeping ‘em clean. The 6ft is right on the edge of being too big for beginners, so if you’re new, maybe sit this one out.
Thursday morning the 9th is another cracker. The swell holds at 7ft from the SW, period stretches to 14 seconds, and with a light cross-off breeze, it’s clean again. The energy is still very strong at 1580. This is the pick of the first few days. The longer period will mean longer waits between sets, but the shape and power will be worth it. Again, that 7ft is pushing into expert territory.
Then we get Friday morning the 10th. The swell drops a touch to 6ft from the SW, but the wind goes glassy. Absolutely dead calm. The energy is still moderate at 1070. This is the kind of mornin’ that makes you wanna call in sick. The waves will be smooth as silk, with that 13-second period giving them some proper shape.
After that, things start to wind down. Saturday and Sunday see the swell drop off significantly, and the winds get messy. By the 13th and 14th, we’re into small, weak stuff. The 15th and 16th are a real write-off with strong, rubbish onshore winds, rain showers, and no quality surf. That’s a solid three-day gap of no good options there for a few days.
But then, lookin’ ahead to Friday the 17th, we get a bit of a revival. Friday morning sees a 5ft SW swell with a 12-second period and a light cross-off breeze. The energy is moderate at 739, and the conditions are set to be very good. This is your other standout, but it’s a week and a half away, so keep an eye on the charts. The weekend after that is a bit hit and miss, with building wind.
So, for the true standouts: Thursday morning the 9th is your best bet for size and power with clean conditions, but it’s for experienced surfers only. Friday morning the 10th is your pick for perfection, with that glassy surface and good 6ft swell. And Friday morning the 17th is a promising long-range option.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tue 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | SSW 10 | SW 10 | W 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
859 | 1211 | 1112 | 876 | 1788 | 1580 | 1304 | 1137 | 1053 | 865 | 656 | 486 | 416 | 273 | 179 | 172 | 110 | 68 | 65 | 47 | 71 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | glassy | off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:23PM1.44m | 9:07AM1.24m | 9:30PM1.42m | 10:25AM1.25m | 10:44PM1.42m | 11:41AM1.31m | 11:57PM1.48m | 12:48PM1.41m | 1:03AM1.56m | 1:46PM1.53m | 2:01AM1.65m | 2:38PM1.64m | 2:53AM1.71m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:46AM0.44m | 2:53PM0.53m | 4:01AM0.43m | 4:14PM0.55m | 5:21AM0.38m | 5:40PM0.50m | 6:32AM0.29m | 6:53PM0.40m | 7:33AM0.19m | 7:54PM0.28m | 8:25AM0.10m | 8:48PM0.18m | 9:12AM0.04m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | |
5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 5:59 | — | 6:00 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 |
Feels °C | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | SSW 10 | W 9 | W 10 |
859 | 1211 | 1112 | 876 | 1788 | 1580 | 1304 | 1137 | 1053 | 865 | 656 | 486 | 416 | 273 | 179 | 172 | 94 | 66 | 65 | 40 | 71 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 22 | SW 20 | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | — | — | — | — | W 15 | W 13 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | SW 10 | SSW 10 | W 9 | SW 10 | SW 10 |
18 | 99 | 395 | 726 | — | — | — | — | 17 | 54 | 136 | 152 | 157 | 214 | 146 | 144 | 110 | 68 | 41 | 47 | 23 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | W 8 | — | — | SW 18 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | SW 3 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 11 | SW 13 |
18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | — | — | 12 | 25 | 24 | 3 | 32 | 29 | 24 | 27 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 56 | 0 | 0 | 103 | 0 | 0 | 103 | 56 | 0 | 30 | 30 | 57 | 101 | 0 | 0 | 101 | 0 | 0 | 101 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in West Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











