Surf Forecasts:
Dunes surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 16s period, WSW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 16s period, WSW swell with 2,781 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 16s period with WSW 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 16s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Dunes in the next 16 days are 2.3m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AWST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Dunes over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.
We’ve got a solid 16-day window shaping up, but it kicks off with a bang. The opening act is a bit of a wild one, so pay attention.
The standout session is the very first one: Wednesday morning, August 19th. Dunes is pumping. We’re looking at a strong 7ft swell from the WSW, but here’s the kicker – it’s a long-period groundswell at 16 seconds, and the combined energy is a hefty 2234. That’s a lot of power. The wind is a gentle offshore from the SSE, so the face will be clean. The report flags it as too big for this break, and at 7ft, it’s definitely headed into expert territory. This is a reef setup, and with that period, it’s going to be a proper, powerful wave. If you’re not experienced, sit this one out and watch the show.
Things settle down a touch but stay good. Wednesday afternoon goes glassy – 0 mph wind – with a 7ft WSW swell. The energy is still high at 1880. It’s called excellent for experienced surfers. That’s two brilliant sessions in a row to start the week.
Thursday morning, August 20th, the swell drops to 5ft from the SW, period still a long 15 seconds, with a moderate offshore from the SE. Energy is 930 – moderate – and conditions are described as very good. A more manageable size for a wider range of surfers.
Friday morning, August 21st, brings another good one: 5ft SW swell, 16-second period, gentle SSE offshore, and energy at 1087. Clean and excellent for experienced surfers again.
Saturday morning, August 22nd, the swell is 4ft from the SW, 14-second period, with a gentle SSE offshore. Energy is 730. It’s a very good session, a bit smaller but still clean.
After Saturday, the surf drops off. Sunday the 23rd and Monday the 24th have swells around 3ft, but the wind is messy. There’s a gap of a few days where the quality dips, with onshore and cross-shore winds making things choppy.
We see a pulse pick up again on Thursday, August 27th. The morning has a 6ft SW swell with a 16-second period, and a cross-offshore wind from the S. The energy is back up to 1469. The report calls it marginal, but with that size and period, it’s a lot of water moving around. This one is for experienced surfers who know the reef.
The window closes out with a couple of things to keep an eye on. Sunday, August 30th, the morning has a 4ft WSW swell, 16-second period, and a clean SSE offshore. Energy is 731. It’s called very good surf. Then, a week later, Thursday, September 3rd, the morning shows a 5ft SW swell, 16-second period, light S wind, and energy at 906. That’s very good, but it’s a long way out – treat it as a promising but not locked-in call.
As for the water, it’s about average for the time of year, so no need to dig out the thickest suit.
Remember, Dunes is a reef break that’s consistent, and it’s exposed to the SW. It’s a spot that can get crowded, especially when it’s this good.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Thu afternoon, min 20°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon afternoon, min 19°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Sat night, light winds from the SW by Mon afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
2781 | 2234 | 1880 | 1206 | 930 | 1225 | 1129 | 1087 | 816 | 631 | 667 | 514 | 447 | 465 | 400 | 241 | 398 | 917 | 791 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | off | glassy | cross-off | off | cross | off | off | cross | cross-off | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:45AM1.86m | 3:01PM1.45m | 3:09AM1.80m | 3:26PM1.30m | 3:33AM1.72m | 3:54PM1.15m | 4:02AM1.62m | 4:34PM1.01m | 4:44AM1.52m | 6:09AM1.41m | 11:42PM1.13m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:24PM0.43m | 9:08AM0.43m | 8:40PM0.53m | 9:41AM0.53m | 8:52PM0.63m | 10:20AM0.65m | 9:01PM0.73m | 11:21AM0.75m | 9:00PM0.84m | 1:32PM0.79m | 3:31PM0.69m | 2:15AM1.11m | |||||||
— | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | |
6:08 | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:10 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 25 | 22 | 22 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 25 | 23 |
Feels °C | 23 | 19 | 22 | 24 | 19 | 24 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 19 | 16 | 20 | 17 | 19 | 23 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 14 |
2781 | 2234 | 1880 | 1206 | 930 | 1225 | 1129 | 1087 | 816 | 631 | 667 | 514 | 447 | 465 | 400 | 241 | 398 | 917 | 791 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | N 6 | NE 6 | N 6 | — | N 6 | N 8 | N 8 | NE 8 | NNE 7 | ENE 7 | SW 19 | SW 18 | NE 7 | WSW 20 | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | SSE 3 | N 6 |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 5 | 10 | 126 | 154 | 2 | 38 | 211 | 339 | 1 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | N 6 | — | — | — | N 8 | — | NW 11 | NW 11 | SW 20 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | SW 21 | NE 7 | SW 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | — |
— | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 5 | 5 | 63 | 5 | 2 | 18 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 3 | — | SSE 3 | ESE 4 | S 3 | S 3 | ENE 8 | S 3 | SSW 3 | SSE 3 | SW 3 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SW 7 | SSW 8 | SE 4 | — | SSW 4 |
— | 2 | — | 2 | 9 | 11 | 5 | 13 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 23 | 21 | 52 | 165 | 6 | — | 22 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 660 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 227 | 0 | 0 | 1288 | 227 | 0 | 1288 | 1288 | 1143 | 1288 | 660 | 0 | 1397 | 753 |
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.











