Donkin Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

First off, the water temperature at Donkin Bay is a chilly 12° – that’s 3° colder than normal for this time of year. That is seriously cold, so if you’re paddling out, a good thick wetsuit is non-negotiable.

There’s nothing worth paddling out for right now at the start. The first real chance of a wave doesn't show up until Saturday the 5th of September, but the swell is only 0.7m from the SSW with a short 7-second period and 25 km/h cross-off wind. The combined energy is weak at 144, and it’s just poor surf. Not worth it.

Sunday the 6th sees a big jump in size – 1.4m from the WSW, but the period is a very long 18 seconds in the morning, and there’s a fresh 30 km/h cross-off wind. The combined energy hits 1318, which is strong, but the forecast calls it marginal, and the tide conditions might be tricky. The period is long enough that it’ll be better for a point or reef setup like Donkin Bay, but the wind isn’t doing us any favours.

Monday the 7th is similar – 1.5m from the WSW, 14-second period, but the wind goes light cross-shore in the afternoon at only 10 km/h. Still, it’s marginal, and the energy is dropping (768). Not a standout.

Now, Tuesday the 8th of September is where it gets interesting. The morning brings glassy conditions with a 1.2m WSW swell, 12-second period, and no wind at all. Combined energy is moderate at 413. The data says “expect good surf conditions.” That’s the pick of the first week – clean, glassy, and that long period will give you some proper lines at this reef and point setup. Crowds are possible here sometimes, so get in early.

Wednesday the 9th is a write-off – small, weak, and messy.

Thursday the 10th of September is the real standout. Morning has glassy conditions again, with a 1.4m WSW swell and a very long 16-second period. The combined energy is a massive 1604 – that’s strong, powerful groundswell. The data says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” Afternoon is even bigger at 2.4m from the WSW, 14-second period, clean with light cross-off wind, and the energy jumps to 2380. This is the best on offer. But at 2.4m, this is only for experienced surfers – it’s too big for beginners. The long period groundswell will wrap beautifully around the point and reef, but at a beach break it might be too straight. Here at Donkin Bay, it’ll be a gem.

Friday the 11th and Saturday the 12th are bigger again – 2.3m and 2.1m – but the wind turns cross and onshore, and it’s choppy. The energy is still high, but the quality drops. Sunday the 13th is poor with strong cross-on winds.

From the 14th to the 20th of September, it’s a mixed bag. There are some decent pulses – like the 17th of September, Thursday morning, with 2.2m from the SW, 13-second period, clean cross-off wind, and 1634 energy – that’s “excellent for experienced surfers” again. But a lot of the other days are marginal or poor. The 15th and 16th see big swell (2.1m and 3.5m) but with onshore or cross winds, and the 16th is way too big at 3.5m for this break.

For the second week, the 17th is your best bet if you can handle the size. The 18th has a nice offshore wind from the east, but the swell drops to 1.3m.

Overall, the two standouts are Tuesday the 8th of September morning for a clean, manageable glassy session, and Thursday the 10th of September for a powerful, long-period groundswell with excellent conditions – but only if you’re experienced.

Rusty

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