Donkin Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Donkin Bay. This is a reef and point setup, exposed to the SW, and it’s fairly consistent. The water’s running a bit colder than normal for this time of year, sitting at 56°.

Right now, there’s a gap. The first few days have some swell but the quality’s off. Saturday morning the 1st has a 3ft WSW swell but a 19 mph NE cross-off wind is making a mess of it. The combined wave energy is moderate (419). Saturday afternoon glass off – calm wind, 0 mph from the NW – and a 3ft WSW swell with a 13-second period, energy at 362. That’s clean, but it’s only a 2 out of 10, so it’s just a tiny window of glassy, small waves.

Sunday the 2nd stays mediocre. Swell around 3ft to 4ft, cross winds, energy in the 260–364 range. Monday the 3rd is similar—4ft to 4ft, cross-off and cross winds, 468 to 580 energy. Still not worth rushing out for.

Tuesday the 4th morning is the first real flicker. Offshore wind from the ESE at 9 mph, 4ft WSW swell, 11-second period, energy 411. Clean and offshore. But it’s not a standout.

Now, check this out. Thursday the 6th morning – a 10ft WSW swell, 13-second period, glassy conditions with WNW wind at 3 mph. Combined energy is a massive 3032. That’s strong to very strong wave energy. But it’s too big for this break. Same story Thursday afternoon: 10ft, energy 3041, clean cross-off wind, but the swell is predicted to be too big. This is expert-only territory, and even then, it might be pushing it.

Friday the 7th morning is the best on offer. 8ft WSW swell, 13-second period, cross-off wind from the SSE at 3 mph, clean. Energy is 2288, strong. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. The swell is big but not out of control, and it’s a point and reef break, so that long 13-second period will wrap in nicely. Crowds are sometimes an issue here, so keep that in mind.

The rest of the week is a write-off. Saturday the 8th has rain showers and 28 mph wind, Sunday the 9th is pumping 15ft to 16ft SW swell with energy over 6800 – way too big for anyone. Monday the 10th is still 10ft, too big.

Things settle down a bit later. Wednesday the 12th has a 4ft to 5ft WSW swell but with a very long 18 to 19-second period, energy around 1757–1917. That’s a groundswell, and it’ll be better at a point or reef like Donkin Bay, but the cross-off winds are fresh to moderate, so it’s marginal.

Thursday the 13th morning could be a sleeper. 5ft WSW swell, 16-second period, cross-off wind at 9 mph, energy 1201. It’s clean and a good size for intermediates, but the period is long, so expect long lulls between sets.

Friday the 14th afternoon has offshore wind from the E at 9 mph, 4ft WSW swell, 13-second period, energy 557. That’s very good, clean conditions.

Saturday the 15th afternoon – glass off again, 0 mph from the NNW, 6ft WSW swell, 13-second period, energy 1014. Excellent for experienced surfers, clean, and the swell is solid.

Sunday the 16th is back to 8ft to 12ft, too big for most.

The standout is Friday the 7th morning. The 8ft swell, clean cross-off wind, and 13-second period at a point and reef break will produce some proper waves for those with the skill. The second best is Saturday the 15th afternoon – glassy, 6ft, and clean. Everything else is either too small, too windy, or too big.

Rusty.

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