Dunes Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into what’s cooking for the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but the waiting game pays off. The overall pattern is a drawn-out SW groundswell that keeps offering up waves, but the wind is the real boss here. The first few days are messy, but there are some absolute gems lined up if you’re patient.

For the first week, Saturday the 5th kicks off with a modest 3ft SW swell at Dunes, with a 16-second period meaning there’s plenty of energy in the water. The combined energy is moderate at 737, but the 20 km/h south wind keeps it just cross-off, so it’s clean but not epic. The water temp is 74°, which is about average for this time of year.

Sunday morning the 6th is similar, with a 4ft SW swell, but the wind is still a fresh 30 km/h. It’s clean, but not the standout. The real action starts to build on Monday the 7th, but that afternoon on Tuesday the 8th we get a proper offshore wind from the SE at 30 km/h, cleaning up a 4ft SW swell with a 16-second period. The energy is still moderate at 886. By Wednesday morning the 9th, the offshore wind is lighter from the ESE at 25 km/h, and we’ve got a 4ft SW swell with a 16-second period again. The combined energy is 834, and the forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” This is a solid morning session, but the wind switches onshore in the afternoon.

After a few days of onshore wind, we hit the first real standout. Saturday morning the 12th of September delivers a beautiful 6ft WSW swell with a very long 18-second period. The combined energy is strong at 1795, and the wind is a glassy 5 km/h from the south, making it cross-off. This is a morning for the experienced surfer, as the size is pushing past the beginner zone. The long period means the waves will be powerful and well-shaped, but at a reef break like Dunes, it’s going to be a proper session. This is the best on offer in the first half of the forecast.

The next big one hits Tuesday morning the 15th of September. Another 6ft SW swell, 16-second period, and the wind is a gentle offshore from the SE at 15 km/h. The combined energy is strong at 1431, and conditions are described as “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” This is a close second to the 12th, but the wind is slightly less glassy.

Then, looking further out, Friday morning the 18th of September is a standout candidate. We’re looking at a 6ft WSW swell with a 16-second period, and the wind is light from the south at 10 km/h, keeping it cross-off. The combined energy is strong at 1677, and it’s again “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” The size is pushing 7ft, so this is for the crew who know what they’re doing. It’s a long-range forecast, so keep an eye on it, but it has the potential to be the best of the whole run.

Sunday morning the 20th of September is a bit of a wild card. A 7ft WSW swell with a 17-second period, but the wind is a fresh 30 km/h from the south. The combined energy is very strong at 2178, but the wind is going to be a problem. The afternoon gets even bigger at 7ft, but the wind is a mess. This one is more for the tow crew or the kite surfers, as the paddle out will be a mission.

So, to sum it up: the standouts are definitely Saturday the 12th morning and Friday the 18th morning. Both offer solid, clean, powerful groundswell with good wind. If you have to pick one, the 12th has the edge for that glassy, near-perfect morning. The 15th is also a cracker. The rest of the time, you’re picking through windows of clean surf between the wind.

Rusty out.

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