
Surf Forecasts:
Donkin Bay surf forecast from 10 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 14s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 16 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, WSW swell with 2,539 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 10 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 12s period with SW 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 Friday (Jul 10) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 12s. 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 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) 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 0.6m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 16) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Fri 10th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Donkin Bay over the next 16 days.
Alright folks, let’s talk about what’s coming up for Donkin Bay. This is a reef and point setup, so it’s got that classic structure that can really hold a swell. We’re starting off in the middle of the week, and the next few days are a bit of a mixed bag, but there’s a solid window of cleaner surf to aim for.
Right now, Friday afternoon the 10th is a bit of a write-off. We’ve got a 5 ft SW swell, but it’s coming in with a cross breeze and the energy is moderate at 906. The water is sitting at 57°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a decent wetsuit. The call is marginal, so I’d give it a miss.
Saturday morning the 11th is a step up. The swell drops to 4 ft from the SW, but the wind goes light and cross-off. The energy is still moderate (638), but the conditions are clean. It’s a small window, but it’s the best of the early stuff. The afternoon goes cross and messy again, so hit the water early.
Sunday and Monday are small—we’re talking 2 ft to 3 ft. The energy is weak (148 to 350). There’s a glorious glassy moment on Monday morning the 13th with zero wind, but the waves are barely there. It’s surfable, but very ordinary.
Tuesday the 14th stays small, with 3 ft waves and clean conditions, but again, the energy is low. You’d be on a longboard hoping for a knee-high runner.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Wednesday morning the 15th is a quiet standout. The swell is only 2 ft, but it’s from the WSW with a very long 16-second period. The energy is moderate (362) and the wind is light and cross-off. That long period will wrap nicely around the point, giving you smooth, clean lines. It’s not big, but for a point break, that’s quality surf. The crowd profile says “sometimes” busy, so expect a few locals out. This is a good pick for a small-wave session.
Thursday morning the 16th is the big one. This is the standout. The swell jumps to 8 ft from the WSW, with a 14-second period. The energy is strong at 2180. Wind is light and cross-off, so it’ll be clean. That’s a solid pulsing groundswell. For a reef and point, this is going to be a proper session. But hear me now—this is over 8 ft, so it’s expert territory. The waves will have a lot of power and the sets will be long and meaty. If you’re not confident, sit this one out. The morning is the call; the afternoon gets a cross breeze and a bit of chop.
Friday the 17th brings a more manageable 5 ft SW swell, with clean conditions and moderate energy. It’s a good follow-up day for the crew who are a bit tired after Thursday. Saturday the 18th is a write-off in the morning with 22 mph wind, though the afternoon cleans up with offshore wind and 4 ft waves.
The second week gets a bit more uncertain. Sunday the 19th has some size (4 ft to 5 ft) but the wind is onshore, making it messy. Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st are cleaner but smaller, with 4 ft to 4 ft waves. The best bet in the second week looks like Wednesday morning the 22nd with a 3 ft SW swell, but a very long 14-second period, light offshore wind, and moderate energy. It’s a small, clean wave, but that long period will make it fun.
Then Thursday the 23rd to Friday the 24th gets chopped up by onshore wind and rain. It’s a bit of a write-off until Saturday morning the 25th. That day is a glasses-off: 5 ft SW swell, glassy conditions, and good energy. It’s a solid end to the run.
Overall, the best bet is Thursday morning the 16th for the experienced crew, with Wednesday the 15th as a quality smaller option. The second week is patchy, but keep an eye on the 22nd and 25th.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Fri afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fri 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
851 | 599 | 486 | 379 | 278 | 179 | 141 | 94 | 66 | 58 | 110 | 141 | 122 | 106 | 232 | 657 | 2539 | 2180 | 1811 | 1077 | 666 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:57PM1.48m | 12:48PM1.41m | 1:03AM1.56m | 1:46PM1.53m | 2:01AM1.65m | 2:38PM1.64m | 2:53AM1.71m | 3:25PM1.74m | 3:42AM1.73m | 4:11PM1.79m | 4:28AM1.70m | 4:54PM1.80m | 5:13AM1.64m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:40PM0.50m | 6:32AM0.29m | 6:53PM0.40m | 7:33AM0.19m | 7:54PM0.28m | 8:25AM0.10m | 8:48PM0.18m | 9:12AM0.04m | 9:37PM0.11m | 9:57AM0.01m | 10:24PM0.08m | 10:39AM0.03m | 11:09PM0.10m | 11:19AM0.10m | |||||||
— | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | |
5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | 6:00 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 13 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
851 | 599 | 486 | 379 | 278 | 179 | 141 | 94 | 66 | 58 | 110 | 141 | 122 | 106 | 106 | 657 | 2539 | 2180 | 1811 | 1077 | 666 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 13 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 10 | SW 10 | WSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | WSW 16 | W 11 | — | — | — | — | — |
54 | 136 | 152 | 160 | 206 | 146 | 121 | 75 | 50 | 48 | 49 | 44 | 59 | 23 | 232 | 184 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 8 | — | — | SW 18 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 10 | SSW 9 | WSW 19 | W 12 | WSW 11 | SW 11 | — | — | — | — | — |
1 | 1 | — | — | 12 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 32 | 17 | 24 | 8 | 36 | 25 | 24 | 40 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 101 | 0 | 0 | 101 | 0 | 3 | 56 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 101 | 0 | 0 | 103 | 0 | 0 | 103 | 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.











