Doring Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks at Doring Bay. This is a reef setup that’s exposed to the SW, and it’s generally a fairly consistent spot, so we’ve got a bit of a mixed bag coming our way.

The water is sitting at 55°F, which is a solid 5°F colder than what’s normal for this time of year. That’s a noticeable chill, so don’t even think about a spring suit – you’ll want a proper thick steamer.

Wednesday morning is where we kick things off. It’s glassy, with a light NNW breeze and a clean 2ft SW swell. The energy is modest (202), but those conditions are a rare treat. The water is glassy, and it’s a perfect window for a longboard or a funboard to get a few clean ones. The swell is coming from the optimum direction with a decent 14-second period pushing through. The crowds are possible here, but on a Wednesday morning like this, you might have it nearly to yourself.

The rest of the week is a fight. Thursday morning sees the swell bump up to 5ft from the SW with a 16-second period, pushing the energy up (1529), but that cross-shore wind from the SSW messes with the surface. It’s a bit lumpy, and the tide might be a factor. Thursday afternoon gets worse – the wind picks up to 19 mph from the SSW, making it even choppier, even though the swell is 7ft. Not worth it.

Friday, the 11th of September, is the standout. Friday morning is the best of the best. The wind swings around to a light offshore from the ESE at 6 mph. The swell is a solid 6ft from the WSW, with a 12-second period, and the energy is pumping (1020). It’s clean. This is for experienced surfers though – 6ft on a reef with that period can be a handful. It’s the morning to get. Friday afternoon gets cloudy and the wind swings back onshore, so the window is small.

Saturday morning is still a decent option, with a clean 4ft SW swell and a cross-offshore breeze, but the energy is moderate (1142). Saturday afternoon gets messy again.

Sunday and Monday are a write-off. Onshore winds, lumpy conditions, and the swell drops or gets junky. There’s a stretch of poor conditions from Sunday the 13th through to Wednesday the 16th. The wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore, and the swell gets big and messy. On the 16th, we see a 12ft SW swell, but the cross-shore wind is screaming at 25 mph, making it a total mess. That’s a no-go.

The next true standout is Thursday, the 17th of September. Thursday morning rolls in with a glassy, offshore wind from the ESE at 9 mph. The swell is a solid 8ft from the SW, with a 13-second period and a massive energy reading (2088). This is expert territory. It’s going to be powerful and clean, but at that size on a reef, you’d better know what you’re doing. The sets will be long and waiting for you.

After that, the pattern is a bit of a tease. Friday the 18th has some clean 5ft swell, but the wind is up. Saturday the 19th bumps up to 6ft SW, but the cross-shore wind picks up. The following week looks like a lot of onshore and cross-shore winds, with the swell hanging around the 5ft to 6ft mark, but the quality is just not there. It’s a waiting game.

So, to wrap it up: Friday morning the 11th is the best on offer for the average surfer. Thursday morning the 17th is the one for the experts. The rest of the time, you’re fighting the wind or the crowds.

Rusty.

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