
Surf Forecasts:
Donkin Bay surf forecast from 26 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 12s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 16s period, SW swell with 2,829 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 26 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 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 Sunday (Jul 26) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 12s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Donkin Bay in the next 16 days are 2.4m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sun 26th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Mon 27th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 8ft (2.4m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Donkin Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for Donkin Bay. This is a reef and point setup that needs a solid SW swell to get going, and it’s exposed to it, so when it hits, it can be a gem.
Donkin Bay is starting off a bit slow. The first decent window we see is Monday morning, the 27th of July. We’ve got a 4.6 ft SW swell rolling in with a solid 12-second period, and the wind is a cross-offshore breeze from the S at 6 mph. That’s clean. The combined energy is moderate (1202), and the water is a bit colder than normal at 55.8°F, sitting about 3.1°F below average. It’s looking excellent for experienced surfers, but the swell isn’t huge, so it’s a good opportunity to get into the rhythm.
Tuesday morning, the 28th of July, is the standout. The swell picks up to 6.2 ft from the SW with a 14-second period, which is proper groundswell. The wind is offshore from the ESE at 9 mph, which is prime for a reef and point. The energy is strong (1505), and it’s forecast as excellent for experienced surfers. At 6.2 ft, it’s pushing the limits for beginners, but for the intermediate crew, this is the one to circle. The long period is a bonus here for the point, giving you long, drawn-out lines.
The rest of the first week is a bit of a mixed bag. Wednesday the 29th has a 4.9 ft SW swell, but winds are cross-offshore and a bit punchy at 18 mph, making it less appealing. The energy drops (744). Thursday the 30th is smaller at 3.6 ft, but the wind is light offshore in the morning, giving you a clean, small-wave session for the loggers.
Now, hold on to your board. The second week gets interesting. Sunday the 2nd of August, we see a 5.9 ft SW swell with a very long 18-second period, but the wind is onshore from the WNW. The energy is very strong (1848), but the wind is going to mess it up. It’s a marginal call.
The real big stuff hits from Wednesday the 5th of August onward. We’re looking at 7.5 ft to 13.1 ft SW swells with periods from 11 to 15 seconds. The energy is massive (up to 6415). However, the guidance says these swells are too big for this break. For a reef and point, anything over 8.2 ft is expert territory, and at 13.1 ft, it’s a beast that might close out or be unsurfable. Winds are variable, sometimes cross-offshore, but the size is the gatekeeper. Thursday the 6th and Friday the 7th of August look monstrous, but unless you’re a pro, give it a wide berth.
By Sunday the 9th of August, it settles back to a clean 4.9 ft SW swell with a light offshore wind from the SE. That’s your best bet for the second week if you want a manageable wave.
Overall, the standout is Tuesday morning, the 28th of July. It’s the best balance of size, period, and clean offshore wind. For the adventurous, Monday morning, the 27th of July, is also a solid, clean option. And if you’re patient, Sunday the 9th of August is a promising recovery swell.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, strong winds from the E by Tue night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri afternoon, min 17°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the SE on Wed night, strong winds from the NE by Sat morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
781 | 706 | 505 | 772 | 2829 | 1505 | 1273 | 947 | 744 | 600 | 473 | 386 | 392 | 369 | 341 | 282 | 182 | 456 | 444 | 444 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross | cross-off | cross | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:54AM1.38m | 2:25PM1.42m | 2:31AM1.46m | 2:59PM1.51m | 3:05AM1.52m | 3:30PM1.59m | 3:37AM1.56m | 4:01PM1.65m | 4:09AM1.58m | 4:31PM1.69m | 4:42AM1.57m | 5:02PM1.69m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:01PM0.49m | 8:19AM0.34m | 8:37PM0.41m | 8:51AM0.26m | 9:09PM0.33m | 9:21AM0.20m | 9:40PM0.28m | 9:49AM0.16m | 10:11PM0.24m | 10:17AM0.15m | 10:41PM0.22m | 10:45AM0.16m | 11:12PM0.22m | |||||||
— | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | |
6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 30 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 22 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 27 | 24 | 23 | 30 | 21 |
Feels °C | 25 | 15 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 9 | 9 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 19 | 16 | 12 | 22 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 |
781 | 706 | 505 | 772 | 2829 | 1505 | 1273 | 947 | 744 | 600 | 473 | 386 | 392 | 369 | 341 | 282 | 182 | 456 | 444 | 444 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 3 | — | SW 13 | SW 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | — | SSW 4 | W 19 | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | — | — | SW 21 |
1 | — | 437 | 671 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 2 | — | 7 | 7 | 31 | 86 | — | — | 112 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SW 16 | SW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 4 | — | — | — |
— | — | 260 | 75 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 3 | S 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 |
2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 101 | 56 | 0 | 56 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 103 | 0 | 30 | 30 | 40 | 101 | 30 | 3 |
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.










