Dunes Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. I’m lookin’ at the charts for our stretch of coast, and it’s a bit of a mixed bag over the next two and a half weeks. The first real action pops up Tuesday the 18th, and we’ve got some serious muscle in the water from a long-period groundswell.

Tuesday the 18th starts off with a bang. The morning at Dunes is pumping, with a solid 5 ft swell out of the SW, a very long 17-second period, and a light offshore ESE breeze. The wave energy is strong, sitting at 1471. The water’s 74°, which is about what you’d expect for this time of year. This is excellent for experienced surfers. That afternoon, the swell jumps to 7 ft from the WSW, and the energy roars up to 2581. Problem is, the forecast says it might actually be a bit too big for this setup. The wind shifts onshore from the NNW, making it tricky.

Wednesday the 19th keeps the big swell going. Morning sees that same 7 ft, 16-second swell with a light SE offshore, but again, the models are hinting it’s too hefty for good shape. The afternoon is the real gem: the swell drops back to 6 ft, still a long 16 seconds, and the wind goes glassy from the NW. That’s pure gold – clean, glassy faces for the experienced crew. The energy is 1629.

By Thursday the 20th, the swell eases to a more manageable 5 ft out of the SW, with a 15-second period. The morning has a SE breeze, clean. Energy is moderate to strong at 930. It’s a very good session for most surfers. The afternoon gets a bit messy with a cross-offshore S wind and a bump up to 5 ft, but it’s still ridable.

Friday the 21st and Saturday the 22nd see the swell settling down. Friday morning has that 5 ft SW swell, but a strong 12 mph SSE cross-off wind keeps it clean. Energy drops to 894. Saturday morning is the better call – a clean, clear morning with 4 ft swell and a light S breeze. Good, but the afternoon gets blown out.

Sunday the 23rd through to Tuesday the 25th is a real quiet stretch. The swell drops to around 3 ft, and the wind picks up. Sunday morning is blown out with a 19 mph S breeze, energy down to 492. Monday afternoon sees a little spike to 5 ft, but it’s messy with a cross wind. Tuesday is a write-off – strong winds and weak energy. Not much to get excited about.

We get a breather on Wednesday the 26th, with a tiny 3 ft swell but clean offshores. Still, it’s marginal.

Thursday the 27th afternoon brings a little pulse back, with 5 ft from the SW and a 14-second period. Energy climbs back over 1000 to 1023. Clean with a SE wind, so it’s a better option for a sneaky afternoon session.

Friday the 28th morning is clean with a fresh offshore SE breeze, but the swell is only 4 ft. It’s a paddler’s workout for small waves.

Then we get a real treat for the end of the window. Sunday the 30th morning has a clean 4 ft swell from the WSW, 16 seconds, with a moderate offshore SE wind. Energy is 864. Very good, solid, clean.

But the standout is Monday the 31st of August. The morning brings a solid 6 ft of WSW groundswell, 16-second period, with a clean offshore SE breeze. Energy jumps to 1650. This is excellent, powerful, clean surf for experienced surfers. Later in the day it might get a bit jumbly, but that morning window is the best of the whole forecast. The wind and tide are favorable, and this is the one to circle.

Tuesday the 1st of September morning is still strong at 6 ft, 16 seconds, but a fresh cross-off ENE wind keeps it clean. It’s a good follow-up session.

Wednesday the 2nd of September brings another late spike, with 7 ft from the WSW, but the models say it might be too big for the break again. Still, a solid option for the barrel hunters, with clean offshore conditions.

Overall, it’s a run of two halves. The opening days have some real power, then a flat spell, then a strong finish at the end of August into September. The biggest shout-out goes to Monday the 31st of August morning at Dunes for the cleanest, most powerful session on offer.

Rusty.

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