
Surf Forecasts:
Donkin Bay surf forecast from 10 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, WSW swell with 3,309 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 10 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 11s 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 Monday (Aug 10) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 11s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Donkin Bay in the next 16 days are 2.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 10th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Donkin Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what Donkin Bay’s got cooking for us over the next couple of weeks. It’s a reef and point set-up, exposed to the SW swell, and it looks like we’ve got a solid run of waves coming, but we’ve got to pick our moments wisely.
The water’s sitting at about 55.2°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year. Worth zipping up the steamer.
The first real opportunity to paddle out lands on Monday the 10th, but it’s a bit meh. You’ve got a 5.2ft SW swell with a moderate cross-shore wind and a cross-chop. The combined energy is moderate at 553, but the conditions are marginal. Not the best intro.
Things start to clean up nicely for Tuesday morning the 11th. That fresh offshore breeze from the E at 35 km/h is going to put a nice face on a 4.3ft SW groundswell with a 13-second period. Combined energy is up to 569, and it’ll be clean. A solid option for intermediates to get on it. The afternoon, however, gets blown out by a strong offshore that’s hard to paddle into.
Wednesday the 12th sees a big jump in energy. The combined energy hits 1374 on the morning session with a 4.3ft WSW swell, but with a near gale wind, it’s not for the faint-hearted. The swell period is long at 19 seconds, which will be better for this point and reef set-up than a beach break. The afternoon is cleaner with a fresh breeze, but the conditions are still marginal.
Thursday the 13th brings a late afternoon flicker. A 6.2ft WSW swell with a 17-second period and a light cross-shore wind. The combined energy is a powerful 2048. It’s a marginal call, but if you can get on it, there might be a few.
Now, this is the standout for the first week. Saturday morning, the 15th of August. Glassy conditions, a light air, and a 5.6ft WSW swell with a 14-second period. The combined energy is a healthy 1034. It’s going to be clean as a whistle. This is the one to circle. Just be aware that this spot can sometimes get a few heads in the water.
Moving into the second week, Sunday morning the 16th stays clean with a light cross-offshore breeze and a 5.2ft WSW swell. Good, but not as magical as Saturday.
Then we get a big pulse. Monday morning the 17th of August brings an 8.2ft WSW swell with a 16-second period and a combined energy of 3309. That’s serious power. The wind is light and cross-offshore, so it’ll be clean, but this one is strictly for the experienced crew. Too big for beginners.
Tuesday the 18th is onshore and messy. Better to sit that one out.
Wednesday the 19th morning has another 8.2ft WSW swell at 2826 energy, and it’s clean with a light cross-offshore breeze. Another expert-only session.
The end of the run sees a drop-off, but then Sunday the 23rd morning delivers a nice clean 7.2ft WSW groundswell with a gentle offshore breeze. That’s a proper session for the experienced surfers. Combined energy at 2784.
And for the real long-range promise, Monday the 24th afternoon has a 7.2ft SW swell with a moderate offshore breeze and clean conditions. Combined energy of 1623. It looks promising, but it’s a way off, so keep an eye on it.
Overall, the best on offer is that glassy Saturday morning the 15th. For the big wave chargers, Monday the 17th morning is the one. Don’t bother with the end of the second week, it fizzles into small and choppy conditions.
Keep it salty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the ESE on Mon night, near gales from the NE by Wed morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NE on Fri morning, calm by Sat morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | SW 10 | SW 13 | SW 12 | WSW 22 | WSW 19 | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
553 | 391 | 543 | 314 | 896 | 1301 | 1106 | 1164 | 1136 | 2048 | 1493 | 1121 | 1220 | 1019 | 1034 | 989 | 907 | 920 | 813 | 1172 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:59AM1.61m | 2:29PM1.69m | 2:46AM1.70m | 3:11PM1.80m | 3:29AM1.74m | 3:51PM1.86m | 4:09AM1.73m | 4:28PM1.86m | 4:47AM1.68m | 5:04PM1.81m | 5:23AM1.59m | 5:39PM1.71m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:56PM0.27m | 8:18AM0.12m | 8:43PM0.14m | 9:00AM0.04m | 9:26PM0.05m | 9:39AM0.00m | 10:06PM0.02m | 10:15AM0.02m | 10:44PM0.04m | 10:50AM0.08m | 11:20PM0.10m | 11:24AM0.18m | 11:55PM0.21m | |||||||
— | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | |
6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:20 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 15 | 22 | 18 | 21 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 18 | 19 | 23 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 9 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 23 | 20 | 17 | 19 | 14 | 17 | 20 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 13 | SW 12 | WSW 22 | WSW 19 | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 |
553 | 391 | 543 | 314 | 896 | 1301 | 1106 | 1164 | 1136 | 2048 | 1493 | 1121 | 1220 | 1019 | 1034 | 989 | 907 | 920 | 813 | 1172 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 14 | W 26 | WSW 24 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | WSW 22 | WSW 19 | NNW 4 | — | — | — | W 18 | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 18 |
— | 160 | 13 | 115 | 145 | 73 | 37 | 412 | 933 | 7 | — | — | — | 154 | — | — | — | — | — | 547 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 26 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 13 | 10 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ESE 2 | SE 3 | ESE 4 | ENE 4 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NNE 4 | — | — | NE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 1 | 4 | 14 | 54 | 25 | 19 | 31 | — | — | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 101 | 0 | 30 | 56 | 57 | 117 | 117 | 185 | 254 | 101 | 0 | 185 | 56 | 0 | 0 | 56 | 0 | 0 | 101 | 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.











