Surf Forecasts:
Dunes surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 17s period, WSW swell with onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 17s period, WSW swell with 2,987 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 16s 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 Monday (Aug 17) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Dunes in the next 16 days are 2.3m 17s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AWST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Dunes over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let's break down the action at Dunes.
So, we've got a run of surf comin' through, but you gotta pick your moments. Water temp is sittin' right where it should be for this time of year, around 74°.
Monday morning, August 17th, kicks it off with a clean 1.3m SW groundswell, 15-second period, and a light cross-off breeze. Expect some fun, clean lines. The combined energy is solid at (811). Monday afternoon gets a bit choppy, so aim for the early session.
The big standout is Tuesday morning, August 18th. The swell is up to 1.6m from the SW, with a real long 17-second period, and a clean offshore from the ESE. This is excellent, powerful surf for those who know what they're doing. The energy meter is pegged at (1467)—this is the day. Tuesday afternoon, the swell jumps to 2.1m and goes onshore, so that's just for the brave and the expert.
Wednesday the 19th, the morning is still too big at 2.1m but clean, before it drops back a little. Thursday the 20th has a rain shower in the morning but a fresh offshore wind, keepin' the 1.3m swell clean. The afternoon session on Thursday is a solid bet too, with a clean 1.6m SW swell and light offshore wind.
Friday the 21st and Saturday the 22nd have fun, clean mornings as the swell drops a bit. The afternoons get messy, so it's a dawn-patrol game from here. Sunday the 23rd through the end of the week sees the swell dip below 4ft with increasing onshore and cross-shore winds. Conditions turn marginal to poor for a few days.
From Monday the 25th through Thursday the 28th, it's a lean spell. Small swell under 4ft and mostly cross or onshore breezes make for poor to marginal surf. Not much to write home about.
Then, on Sunday morning, August 30th, we get a nice little treat. Glassy conditions, dead calm with a light SSW breeze, and a clean 1.2m SW swell with 15 seconds of period. The energy is back up to (718). That's a beautiful, clean window for a quiet paddle.
The standout remains Tuesday morning, August 18th. Big, clean, powerful. That's the one. And keep an eye on that glassy Sunday the 30th. Dunes can get a few folks out, so expect some company on the best swells.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed afternoon, min 20°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 23°C on Fri afternoon, min 19°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (calm on Fri afternoon, fresh winds from the SW by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | SW 15 | WSW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
770 | 1044 | 1031 | 1467 | 2581 | 2781 | 2128 | 1788 | 1088 | 682 | 1255 | 1129 | 976 | 816 | 623 | 521 | 450 | 357 | 368 | 566 | 580 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | on | glassy | cross-off | on | off | off | off | off | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:06PM1.76m | 2:20AM1.90m | 2:35PM1.61m | 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 | |||||||||
Low Tide | 8:03AM0.29m | 8:05PM0.32m | 8:35AM0.34m | 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 | ||||||||
6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
— | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 23 | 21 |
Feels °C | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 16 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 23 | 20 | 23 | 22 | 19 | 17 | 20 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | SW 15 | WSW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 16 |
770 | 1044 | 1031 | 1467 | 2581 | 2781 | 2128 | 1788 | 1088 | 682 | 1255 | 1129 | 976 | 816 | 623 | 521 | 450 | 357 | 368 | 566 | 580 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 20 | NW 12 | N 12 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | NE 6 | N 6 | N 6 | SW 17 | — | N 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 20 | NE 7 | NE 7 |
41 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 342 | — | 1 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 60 | 194 | 98 | 2 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 7 | N 8 | — | NW 11 | NW 11 | SW 22 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | SW 16 | W 11 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 5 | 5 | 18 | 5 | 2 | 40 | 3 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 3 | — | SSE 3 | — | — | — | — | SE 3 | ESE 3 | S 3 | — | SE 3 | — | SW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 | SSW 4 | S 3 | SW 3 | SSW 4 |
— | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 8 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 19 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 1446 | 15 | 0 | 1446 | 15 | 659 | 659 | 0 | 227 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 660 | 251 | 0 | 1144 | 660 | 1446 | 1447 | 1344 |
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.











