Dunes Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s get straight into it. We’ve got Dunes, a consistent reef break that’s exposed to the SW, taking a solid run of groundswell through the next couple of weeks. The water’s sitting at about 75° – average for this time of year, so no complaints there.

There’s no surf on offer right now, so we’re waiting until Friday morning, August 28, for the first proper kick. Friday morning sees a 5ft SW groundswell with a long 14-second period. The wind is clean offshore from the SSE at 19 mph, so it’ll be lined up and glassy. The combined energy is pumping at 1031 (moderate energy) – a nice start. This is the standout of the first few days, though the afternoon fades as the wind goes cross-off and the energy jumps to 1128, but it’s still clean.

Saturday, August 29, drops to 4ft SW swell, and while the morning is clean with cross-off SSE wind at 9 mph, the energy is only 481. It’s a bit marginal. By Saturday afternoon, it’s cross-shore and chopped out – not worth it.

Sunday morning, August 30, is a real treat. Only 3ft of SW swell, but the period is a very long 17 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy. The wind is glassy – dead calm from the ESE at just 3 mph – and the combined energy is 550 (moderate). Conditions will be smooth as butter, but with that long period, the waves might break a bit straight on this reef setup, so pick your line carefully. Still, it’s a great window for a dedicated surfer. Sunday afternoon turns to cross-onshore chop, so get in early.

Monday, August 31, morning is another strong call: 4ft SW swell at 16 seconds, cross-off S wind at 9 mph, and energy at 1114 (moderate). The data says excellent conditions for experienced surfers – and I’d agree, as the wave shape should be solid. This is a joint standout with Friday morning. The afternoon suffers a cross-shore chop.

Tuesday, September 1, morning holds 5ft WSW swell at 16 seconds, cross-off SSE wind at 9 mph, and energy at 1139 (moderate). Clean again, but the afternoon blows out. Wednesday morning, September 2, is all right at 4ft WSW swell and 15 seconds, but energy drops to 632. Still clean, but less exciting.

Then we hit a few lean days. Thursday, September 3, morning is 4ft but only 13-second period and energy at 479 – clean but weak. Friday, September 4, morning is similar buzz. Saturday, September 5, morning is clean with 4ft and 14-second swell, but energy is 483 – it’s okay, nothing special. Saturday afternoon picks up to 5ft but with cross-shore wind and chop.

Sunday, September 6, morning brings back some hope: 4ft SW swell at 14 seconds, offshore SSE wind at 9 mph, and energy at 538 (moderate). It’s clean and solid – a good morning session.

The next week tails off. Monday, September 7, morning has 3ft SW at 13 seconds, light cross-off wind, energy 260 – clean but small. Tuesday, September 8, morning is tiny at 2ft, but the period is a crazy 19 seconds – very long, dead clean with offshore wind. That’s a curious one: long-period groundswell might turn those small waves into something rideable for a patient surfer on a log. Wednesday, September 9, morning is 3ft at 16 seconds, clean.

Thursday, September 10, morning sees a jump to 5ft SW swell at 16 seconds, 1101 energy, but the wind is cross-shore. Not clean. Friday, September 11, morning is 6ft SW at 16 seconds, cross-off E wind, energy at 1591 (strong) – that’s a big, clean swell, but at 6ft, it’s pushing into expert territory given the reef. Saturday, September 12, morning is the best of the long-range: 5ft SW at 15 seconds, light cross-off E wind, energy 1045 (moderate), and the call is excellent for experienced surfers. That’s the standout for the second week – promising but less certain being 15 days out.

For anyone who’s not an expert, most days here are below 8ft, so manageable, but don’t expect much after September 6 until that last Saturday. If the wind cooperates, Dunes has a few gems.

Rusty

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