Doran Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

Right now, the water’s hanging around 56°, which is about normal for the time of year here. The first real surf we’ve got to talk about kicks off Friday afternoon, July 31st, at Doran Beach. It’s not much to get excited about though – a 8ft WNW swell at a short 7 seconds, with a cross-offshore breeze at 16 mph. The combined energy is moderate at 829, but the whole thing’s just average. You’ll find some lumpy lines, but the wind’s got a bit of push and the period’s short, so it’s not exactly glassy perfection.

Saturday morning, August 1st, looks a little better. The swell drops to 6ft from the WNW, still a cross-offshore breeze but lighter at 9 mph, and the period stretches to 8 seconds. The combined energy drops to 550, but the conditions are cleaner. The water temp’s still normal, and the surf is looking good for a beginner-friendly session, though the consistency is a bit iffy – this spot is inconsistent, so you’ll be waiting for sets.

The standout window is the afternoon of August 1st and Sunday morning, August 2nd. Saturday afternoon brings a 10ft WNW swell (8 seconds), with a cross-offshore wind at 19 mph, and the combined energy jumps to a strong 1260. That’s a lot of power, and it’s too big for beginners – more for the experienced crew. By Sunday morning, the swell holds at 10ft but shifts to the NW, with a longer period of 9 seconds and a light breeze at 6 mph. The energy is very strong at 2316. If you’re an expert, this is the best on offer – clean, powerful, and consistent, but it’s a beach break, so expect some closeouts. The cross-offshore wind keeps it clean, but the size means it’s only for the brave.

Sunday afternoon the swell drops to 8ft (NW, 9 seconds, 1312 energy), and the wind picks up to 12 mph cross-offshore. It’s still meaty, but the quality slips a bit. For the rest of the first week, from Monday, August 3rd, through to Friday, August 7th, the swell stays between 5ft and 8ft, mostly from the NW, with periods of 9 to 10 seconds. The winds are generally light cross-onshore or cross-shore, so the surf is marginal – clean at times but not great. The energy is moderate to strong, topping out at 2082 on Friday morning, but the wind’s a bit off, and the break’s inconsistent nature means it’s not firing.

The second week gets pretty quiet. From Saturday, August 8th, to Wednesday, August 12th, the swell hangs around 3ft to 7ft from the NW, but the winds are onshore or cross-onshore, and the energy is moderate. Nothing stands out – it’s all marginal. By Thursday, August 13th, the swell drops to 2ft with a very long period of 16 seconds from the SW. That’s a groundswell, but it’s tiny and the combined energy is weak at 459. The conditions are poor, with onshore winds. The same story continues through to Saturday, August 15th, with tiny 2ft swells, long periods of 14 to 18 seconds, and weak energy – all poor for surfing.

So, your best bet is the Sunday morning, August 2nd session – big, powerful NW swell, light winds, and plenty of energy, but it’s expert-only and a bit of a wait for sets. The Saturday afternoon, August 1st offers a close second for experienced surfers. If you’re a beginner, Saturday morning, August 1st is your only window, but don’t expect much.

Rusty.

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