Surf Forecasts:
Dunes surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 17s period, SW swell with 2,320 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 13s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Dunes this week:
The surf forecast for Dunes over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Dunes in the next 16 days are 2.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AWST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Dunes over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s shaping up at Dunes. This is a consistent reef setup, exposed to the south-west, so when the groundswell rolls in, it cleans up nicely with that south-easterly offshore. The water temp is sitting around 76°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so the wetsuit can stay thin.
The forecast kicks off with some clean, fun surf on Monday morning, August 24th. Swell is a modest 3ft from the WSW, with a long 16-second period, giving it some proper push. The SE breeze is blowing 12 mph straight offshore, making for glassy conditions. Combined wave energy is moderate, sitting at 652. It won’t be giant, but for a Monday morning lap, it’ll be a joy.
Monday afternoon sees the wind shift to the WSW, turning it cross-shore and choppy – best to avoid that session. Tuesday morning, August 25th, is back on with the SE offshore wind and a 4ft SW swell at 13 seconds. The numbers are solid but not standout. Wednesday morning, August 26th, is looking clean too with a light SSW breeze and a consistent 3ft SW groundswell, though nothing that will blow your mind.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Thursday morning, August 27th, we see a jump in size. The swell is 6ft from the WSW with a 17-second period – that’s proper groundswell. Combined wave energy is pumping at 1947, which is strong. The wind is a fresh SSE cross-off, keeping it clean. This is one for experienced surfers though; over 5ft on a reef demands respect. The size and power make this a standout window for those who can handle it.
Friday afternoon, August 28th, is a sneaky good call. The swell drops a touch to 5ft from the SW, but the wind swings south at 9 mph, giving us a clean cross-off. The energy is still moderate at 746, but the conditions will be very good.
There’s a gap after Friday with a few days of choppy or onshore winds until we get to a true highlight. On Tuesday morning, September 1st, you’ll want to be in the water. The wind is dead calm, glassy, zero. That’s rare. Swell is a solid 5ft from the WSW with a 16-second period. Combined energy is strong at 1122. The forecast calls this excellent for experienced surfers – and I wouldn’t argue. That glassy morning with a long-period groundswell lining up off the reef is the best on offer in this whole outlook.
Thursday morning, September 3rd, bumps up to 7ft from the WSW – big for Dunes. The wind is S at 12 mph, cross-off, so it will be clean, but this is pushing expert territory at over 8ft for the strongest sets. Worth a look if you’ve got the nerve, but it’s not for the faint-hearted.
After that, the swell fades and the wind turns messy. Pretty quiet from the 5th of September onward, with poor conditions or small, crummy swell. There’s a bit of marginal stuff in the second week, but nothing to get out of bed for.
Bottom line: The standout is Tuesday morning, September 1st, for that glassy, clean, solid groundswell. If you can get out Thursday the 27th of August, the size and power will get the heart pumping. The rest is mainly for keeping your eye in or dodging the crowds on a clean morning.
Stay stoked,
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Mon afternoon, min 19°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Mon night, light winds from the SSW by Wed morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri night, min 18°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SE on Thu night, light winds from the W by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | WSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 18 | WSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 19 | SW 17 | SW 19 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
447 | 666 | 589 | 406 | 394 | 212 | 412 | 424 | 1996 | 1947 | 1631 | 1412 | 857 | 742 | 451 | 245 | 184 | 183 | 424 | 1044 | 1263 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:42PM1.13m | 8:41AM1.42m | 11:16PM1.26m | 10:00AM1.54m | 11:27PM1.40m | 10:47AM1.66m | 11:45PM1.54m | 11:26AM1.78m | 00:06AM1.66m | 12:00PM1.85m | 00:28AM1.77m | 12:33PM1.89m | 00:51AM1.87m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:31PM0.69m | 2:15AM1.11m | 4:20PM0.56m | 3:57AM0.97m | 4:53PM0.43m | 4:43AM0.80m | 5:23PM0.33m | 5:20AM0.63m | 5:50PM0.26m | 5:52AM0.47m | 6:16PM0.23m | 6:23AM0.33m | 6:40PM0.23m | ||||||||
6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | 6:10 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 26 | 27 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
Feels °C | 16 | 19 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 19 | 15 | 13 | 22 | 23 | 16 | 21 | 23 | 15 | 21 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 18 | WSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 17 | SW 19 | SW 18 |
447 | 666 | 589 | 406 | 394 | 212 | 412 | 424 | 1996 | 1947 | 1631 | 1412 | 857 | 742 | 451 | 245 | 184 | 114 | 424 | 1044 | 1263 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | NE 7 | N 7 | SW 6 | — | NE 5 | NE 5 | SW 20 | NE 5 | — | — | — | — | SE 4 | W 22 | SW 20 | SW 21 | NE 6 | SW 21 | NE 7 | NE 8 |
205 | 2 | 1 | 8 | — | 16 | 5 | 206 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 9 | 15 | 71 | 25 | 218 | 97 | 57 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SW 16 | WSW 22 | NE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | W 14 | — | SW 23 | — | SW 19 | W 12 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 124 | 47 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | 21 | — | 183 | 12 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 4 | SW 3 | SSW 4 | SE 4 | NE 3 | — | SSE 2 | — | SW 3 | SSE 4 | S 3 | SSE 5 | ESE 5 | — | — | E 4 | NE 5 | — | NE 5 | — | — |
6 | 3 | 26 | 9 | 3 | — | 1 | — | 7 | 11 | 4 | 80 | 39 | — | — | 12 | 38 | — | 76 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 1397 | 660 | 0 | 1446 | 0 | 0 | 1446 | 1288 | 1288 | 1288 | 772 | 772 | 0 | 753 | 753 | 227 | 0 | 251 | 493 | 227 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North West WA | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Dunes Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Dunes provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Dunes can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Dunes 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 (Dunes) 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 Dunes 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.
Are you planning a holiday in North West WA? If you are looking for accommodation near Dunes, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in North West WA, consider staying in Exmouth which is 15 km (9 miles) away.











