Dunes Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Alright, we’ve got a solid 16-day window ahead, so let’s get into it.

The surf starts off pretty gentle but there’s some real quality in the mornings, especially when the wind plays ball. The water temp is sitting at 75°, which is about average for this time of year – nothing remarkable there. The best morning windows are glassy with clean lines, but the afternoons get chopped up by the seabreeze, so be an early bird.

Wednesday 26 August kicks things off with a clean 3ft SW groundswell and glassy conditions in the morning – that’s as good as it gets for a small day. A very long period of 14 seconds means the waves have good shape, even if they’re small. The wave energy is moderate (459). You’ll want a log or a fish. The afternoon turns ugly with a 12 mph cross-on breeze, so don’t bother.

Thursday 27 August the swell bumps up to 6ft from the WSW with a 17-second period, so there’s serious energy behind it (1947). Morning is cross-off and clean, but 6ft is getting on for bigger waves – strong intermediate and above territory. That’s a standout for size and clean conditions, but it’s still a bit clean, not perfect. The afternoon is a cross-shore mess.

Friday 28 August brings a crisp 5ft SW swell with a fresh 19 mph offshore breeze in the morning – that’s a proper session window for the experienced crew. The period drops to 14 seconds, so less grunt but still clean waves. Wave energy is strong (1031). Don’t bother after lunch.

Saturday 29 August drops back to 4ft SW, and while the morning is cross-off and clean, it’s small. Not a standout.

Sunday 30 August is a real treat – 3ft SW swell, but glassy morning with a 17-second period. That’s a very long-period groundswell, and at a reef break that’s a recipe for perfect little peelers. Wave energy is moderate (543). For a small-wave day, this is as good as it gets.

Monday 31 August kicks off September with 5ft from the WSW and a 16-second period, cross-off and clean in the morning. Wave energy is strong (1140). A good solid session, but not quite a standout.

Tuesday 1 September to Friday 4 September mornings are all clean with 4ft to 5ft swell, but nothing jumps out as the best – just reliable early windows.

Saturday 5 September is windy – 19 mph cross-off in the morning, only 3ft swell. Not great.

Sunday 6 September is a proper highlight – 4ft SW with a 14-second period and a 12 mph offshore breeze in the morning. That’s clean, offshore at a reef, and the wave energy is moderate (534). One of the better small-wave standouts of the whole run.

Monday 7 September is average.

Tuesday 8 September – now this is for experts only. The morning brings 7ft SW groundswell with 18-second period and wave energy raging at 3097 – that’s very strong energy. It’s clean with 16 mph cross-off wind, but 7ft is heavy, especially at a reef break with that period. It’s too big for beginners and will be a serious paddle. If you know what you’re doing, this is the session of the forecast, but only for the experienced.

Wednesday 9 September morning still has 5ft SW with 16-second period and a light offshore. Wave energy is strong (1271). Clean and solid – another top morning for stronger surfers.

Thursday 10 September the run ends on a high – 4ft SW with a 14-second period, moderate offshore, and clean. A lovely way to finish.

Best on offer: The Tuesday 8 September morning is the heavyweight standout – big, long-period groundswell, clean, and serious grunt. But it’s strictly for experts. For everyone else, the Sunday 30 August glassy morning with perfect little reef waves is the one, or the Sunday 6 September offshore session. Crowds are possible at Dunes, but with these morning windows you’ll dodge the worst of it.

Stay stoked,
Rusty

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