Dunes Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, mate, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Dunes.

We’ve got a proper little run coming up, but it takes a bit of patience to get to the good stuff. Most of the first week is a bit average, with a lot of cross-onshore chop and moderate energy, so you’ll want to pick your moments. The water is sitting at 75°, which is basically normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The standout is Thursday, August 27th. Thursday morning is the real deal. The swell will be a solid 7ft from the WSW, with a very long period of 17 seconds. That’s proper groundswell energy, and with a combined energy reading of 2127 (strong), there’s plenty of power in the water. The wind is light from the S, cross-offshore, making it clean. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers, but at 7ft, it’s not for learners. The Dunes reef handles that long-period swell well, so expect some good lines.

Thursday afternoon drops a bit to 6ft, still clean, but the wind picks up a touch. It’s still a solid option if you miss the morning.

Friday, August 28th has a fresh offshore breeze in the morning from the SSE at 19 mph, with a 5ft SW swell. The period is 14 seconds, so it’s a good mix of power and shape. The energy is moderate (1031), and the offshore wind will keep things clean. It’s a bit smaller than Thursday, but still a good session for the crew.

After Friday, the swell drops off. Saturday the 29th has 3ft in the morning with offshore wind, but it’s pretty weak (391 energy). By Saturday afternoon, the wind swings cross-shore and it gets choppy. Sunday, August 30th is glassy in the morning – a light SSW wind at 3 mph – and the swell is a tiny 3ft, but with a very long period of 17 seconds. The energy is moderate (545), and it’ll be clean and fun on a log or a fish, but it won’t be pumping.

Monday, August 31st sees a bit more size – 4ft SW swell with a 16-second period, and a light S cross-off breeze. The energy is solid (1058), and it’s clean. A good morning session.

From there, the first week of September is a bit of a mixed bag. Tuesday, September 1st has a 5ft WSW swell with cross-off wind, clean, but after that the afternoons get messy. The mornings are generally the best bet, with cleaner conditions and cross-off breezes.

The second week is a lot quieter. There’s nothing that jumps out as a standout. The swell hovers around 3ft to 4ft, with periods dropping off to 13–14 seconds. The mornings are often clean, but the energy is low (under 600 generally). The wind gets strong in the afternoons, especially on September 4th with a 22 mph SW cross-shore – that’s more kite-surfing territory than paddle surfing.

The best of the bunch in the second week is Wednesday, September 9th morning. A 5ft SW swell with a 16-second period, cross-off wind, and clean conditions. The energy is 871, so it’s moderate, but it’s a nice morning wave. After that, it fades out.

So, overall, the clear winner is Thursday, August 27th morning – big, clean, powerful. If you can’t make that, Friday the 28th and Monday the 31st are your next best bets. The rest of the period is small and inconsistent, with a few clean mornings but nothing to write home about.

Rusty.

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