Dunes Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what’s coming our way. We’ve got a decent run of surf on the cards, but you’ve got to pick your moments. The ocean’s going to be pumping out some serious energy, but a lot of it is going to be too big and messy for a fun paddle.

The first real opportunity kicks off on Tuesday, the 18th of August. Dunes is a reef break, and it's exposed to the SW. We’ve got a solid groundswell rolling in at 5ft from the southwest with a very long period of 17 seconds. The wave energy is strong (1467), and with a gentle offshore breeze from the SE, it’s going to be clean and lined up. The water temp is sitting at 74°, which is about normal for this time of year. This is a setup for experienced surfers only, though, as the swell is already at a size where beginners will be in trouble.

Now, here’s where it gets tricky. Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning (19th), the swell pushes up to 7ft and stays long-period (16-17 secs). The energy jumps right up into the strong range (2581 and 2234). That's too much size for Dunes, so unless you’re an expert on a big board, it’s a pass. The wind turns onshore on Tuesday arvo and Wednesday arvo too, so it’s just a washout.

We get a bit of a lull mid-week. Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st are pretty average. Swell drops back to 5ft - 5ft, but the winds are messy, either fresh offshore or cross-shore, and the energy drops off. The conditions are just marginal, with the odd clean window but nothing to get excited about.

Saturday the 22nd morning offers a little hope. The swell is down to 4ft from the SW (14 secs), energy is weak-moderate (547), and the wind is a light cross-offshore breeze. It’ll be clean and small, good for a longboard or a fun mid-length if you just want to get wet. The afternoon gets blown out by a 15 mph cross-shore, so make it a dawny.

Sunday the 23rd and Monday the 24th are more of the same: small, clean windows in the mornings but always with a bit of wind. Monday morning has a moderate offshore breeze and a 3ft swell with good period (16 secs) and moderate energy (647). It’ll be clean but very small.

We hit a real quiet patch from Tuesday the 25th through to the end of the week. The swell stays tiny (3ft to 4ft) and the winds are fresh and messy. Not worth your time.

Now, the standout window is the last few days of the month and into September. On Sunday, the 30th of August, the morning session is the pick. We’ve got a solid 6ft groundswell from the WSW with a long 16-second period and strong energy (1421). The wind is a light cross-offshore breeze, and it’s clean. This is excellent surf for experienced crew.

Then, hold onto your boards. Monday the 31st of August morning is glassy. A perfect SSE breeze, 7ft of WSW groundswell, a very long 17-second period, and massive energy (2737). The water will be like glass. But, and this is a big but, 7ft is expert territory only at this reef. It’s going to be a heavy, powerful beast. If you’re not on your A-game, give it a miss.

Tuesday the 1st of September keeps the big swell going (7ft, 16 secs, 2511 energy), but the winds are cross-off or cross-shore, making it less than perfect.

To be honest, for the whole run, the best call is Sunday the 30th of August morning. The swell is solid but not insane, the wind is light and clean, and the energy is pumping. That’s the one to circle on the calendar. For the experts, the glassy dawn on Monday the 31st is the ultimate prize, but only if you’ve got the skills.

Stay safe out there.

- Rusty

Read more