Donuts Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on offer. I’ll be straight with you – this stretch is looking pretty flat. Donuts (reef) is the only spot with any data, and it’s not exactly pumping. The water’s sitting at 74°, which is much warmer than usual for this time of year – a solid 6° above average, so that’s a weird one.

The overall pattern for the next two weeks is one of small, weak, and messy conditions. There’s nothing that gets the heart racing. We’ve got a 16-day window, but the first few days are a write-off. From Thursday August 6th right through to Friday August 21st, every single forecast is marked as poor surf conditions. That’s a solid two-week gap with no recommendations worth shouting about. Donuts is an inconsistent reef that’s sheltered and really only wants a W swell to light up, but the swell is coming from the SW the whole time – wrong angle for the place.

Let’s walk through it day by day. Thursday August 6th morning we’ve got a 2ft SW swell at 13 seconds, combined energy of 172 (weak) – not enough to do anything. Winds are light from the west, offshore for Donuts, but with zero wave power it’s just a flat, clean lake. The afternoon sees a slight bump to 2ft, but still weak energy at 236. Friday 7th morning has the period jump to 19 seconds – a long period groundswell – and the energy climbs to 387 (moderate), but it’s still only 2ft. That long period on a sheltered reef could mean a few clean lines, but the size is just too small to ride. By Friday afternoon the wind swings WNW at 9 mph, putting a cross-onshore chop on it. Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th are more of the same: tiny 2-3ft SW swell, period between 15-17 seconds, energy in the 300s – moderate but wasted on the lack of height. Winds stay light and mostly offshore through the mornings, so it’s clean but flat.

Monday 10th through Wednesday 12th the wind turns SW, giving a light cross-onshore breeze – small wind ripples, not good. Swell stays a pathetic 1-2ft, period dropping to 13-18 seconds. Energy bounces between 247 and 387 – still moderate in number but meaningless for riding. Thursday 13th and Friday 14th see the energy finally climb into the 500s and 600s (moderate to strong) as the period holds at 16-18 seconds, but the swell height barely touches 3ft. That’s the tease of the whole outlook – plenty of push in the water column, but no height to make a wave. Saturday 15th is the biggest we get: 4ft SW swell, 16 second period, energy at 617 (strong). But the wind is cross-onshore from the NW at 12 mph, making it choppy and messy. For a sheltered reef, that cross-offshore wind isn’t helping.

After that, it trails off again. Sunday 16th through Friday 21st August, we’re back to 2-3ft, periods 14-17 seconds, energy dropping from 460 down to 201. Winds are mostly light to gentle, but the swell is just too small and poorly aligned.

Honestly, there’s no standout here. Not one day offers decent surf. For a spot that’s inconsistent anyway, a two-week blank run isn’t unusual, but it stings. The only thing worth noting is that long-period groundswell on the 14th and 15th, but without the height, it’s a no-go. If you’re a kite surfer, the moderate cross-onshore days might offer something, but for a paddle surfer, this is a complete washout. Keep an eye on the forecasts – it tends not to stay this dead forever.

Rusty

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