Surf Forecasts:
Dunes surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 17s period, WSW swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 17s period, WSW swell with 2,815 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s 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 Sunday (Aug 16) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 14s 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AWST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Dunes over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright everyone, Rusty here again. Let's break down the 16-day surf picture for this spot. We've got a slow start with some fun waves, but a couple of sessions further down the line are real standouts for the experienced crew. Water temp is sitting around 73°F, pretty standard for this time of year – nothing to write home about.
The action at Dunes kicks off this Saturday morning, August 15th. It's a glassy morning with a 3ft SW swell, a long period of 16 seconds. The energy is moderate (468), but that glassy wind makes it super easy to get a clean ride. The afternoon sees a light cross-onshore breeze, so the morning is the clear winner.
Sunday the 16th offers another glassy morning with a 3ft SW swell, period dropping to 14 seconds, but still clean. The afternoon gets messy with onshore wind.
Now, get ready, because things get serious on Tuesday the 18th. The morning session delivers a 5ft SW swell with a beefy 17-second period, pushing moderate energy to 1433. The wind is a moderate offshore from the SE, setting up clean, well-shaped waves. This one is a top pick, but it's expert territory – that size and power at a reef break are no joke.
Wednesday morning the 19th is even bigger, with a 7ft WSW swell, but the guidance says it’s too large for this break. The winds are cross-offshore, but the energy is massive (2234). Unless you’re a big-wave charger, give this one a miss.
Thursday the 20th settles to 5ft, with clean offshore winds in the morning. The energy drops to a more manageable 966. The swell is still SW, with a 15-second period – solid.
Friday the 21st has another great morning with a 5ft SW swell and a moderate offshore ESE wind. It’s very clean, but keep in mind that Dunes can get crowded at times – the guidance says crowds are *sometimes* an issue, so a Friday could see a few people in the water.
After that, the surf drops off into the weekend and early next week. Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd are much smaller with poor afternoon winds. There’s a long blank run from late on the 24th through the morning of the 26th where conditions are just poor, with strong winds and dwindling swell.
Then we get a surprise toward the end. On Sunday the 30th, a 7ft WSW swell rolls in with a 17-second period and moderate offshore winds from the SSE. That’s serious energy (2224) and another expert level day. It's far out and less certain, but this is the other real standout – a powerful groundswell with clean winds for those who can handle it.
To sum it up: Tuesday morning the 18th and Sunday morning the 30th are your best bets. They're big, clean, and have real power. Everything else is either small, windy, or just okay. Dunes is a consistent spot, so the waves will come back.
This is Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat afternoon, min 20°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed night, min 19°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (calm on Tue afternoon, fresh winds from the S by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | WSW 17 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
468 | 415 | 346 | 327 | 257 | 249 | 838 | 1044 | 1031 | 1433 | 2283 | 2815 | 2234 | 1880 | 1132 | 966 | 1129 | 1129 | 989 | 733 | 614 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | cross | cross-off | off | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:00PM1.97m | 1:27AM1.88m | 1:35PM1.89m | 1:55AM1.91m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:14PM0.15m | 7:28AM0.28m | 7:41PM0.23m | 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 | ||||||||
6:47 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | |
— | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 23 |
Feels °C | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 16 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 15 | 22 | 18 | 17 | 22 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | WSW 17 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
468 | 415 | 346 | 327 | 257 | 249 | 838 | 1044 | 1031 | 1433 | 2283 | 2815 | 2234 | 1880 | 1132 | 966 | 1129 | 1129 | 989 | 733 | 614 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 11 | N 11 | NW 12 | W 12 | W 12 | SW 16 | WSW 20 | NW 12 | NW 12 | N 6 | NE 6 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | — | — | NE 7 | NNE 6 | NNE 8 | NE 7 |
2 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 211 | 41 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 4 | 6 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 7 | — | — | NNE 7 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 5 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 3 | SSW 3 | — | SSE 3 | — | SW 2 | S 3 | S 3 | SE 3 | SSE 3 | — | — | SSE 2 | — | SSW 2 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 1071 | 659 | 0 | 733 | 768 | 1446 | 1446 | 0 | 0 | 1446 | 660 | 15 | 1344 | 660 | 660 | 1307 | 772 | 0 | 1020 | 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.











