Doheney Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s heading our way.

The next 16 days are a bit of a mixed bag, but we’ve got some real potential to get excited about, especially if you’re patient and can pick your window. The first few days are a bit tricky with iffy winds, but the swell direction is spot on for Doheney Beach. That water temperature is sitting at 71°, which is much warmer than usual for this time of year—you’ll be feeling that nice anomaly.

We’re starting off Monday, July 20th, with a small 3ft swell from the SSW, but it’s a long-period groundswell at 15 seconds. The energy is moderate (541) but the cross-on wind from the SSW at 6 mph is going to put a bit of a chop on it. Honestly, it’s marginal. Tuesday morning, the 21st, gets a little punchier with a 3ft SSW swell, but that cross-on wind picks up to 9 mph, making for a bumpy surface. The morning of Thursday, July 23rd, is where we start to see something interesting: the swell bumps up to 5ft from the S with a 13-second period, and the wind is light and cross-shore. The energy is getting strong at 988. It’s still got a “marginal” tag, but it’s looking better.

Now, the real standout for the early period is Friday, July 24th, in the morning. The wind goes clean offshore from the S at just 6 mph, and you’ve got a 2ft swell from the SW with a monster 24-second period. That’s a very long period groundswell, and the energy is strong at 1174. That kind of period will produce some beautiful, lined-up waves, though it’s best suited for a reef or point break like Doheney. It won’t be huge, but it will be glassy and clean. This is your best look for a while.

The next real highlight doesn’t come until the end of the month. The morning of Thursday, July 30th, sees a 4ft SSW swell with a 15-second period and light cross-shore winds. The energy is moderate (978). But the real fire lights up on Friday, July 31st. The morning brings a much bigger 7ft swell from the SSE, with a 15-second period and light cross-on winds. The energy is very strong at 2113. That’s a serious amount of water moving. This is getting into expert territory, as it’s over 7ft, so it’s not for the faint of heart. Saturday, August 1st, holds similar size at 7ft from the S in the morning, with energy at 1816. The winds stay light cross-on, so it’s going to be a powerful, chunky couple of days for the experienced crew.

After that, it fades. Sunday, August 2nd, drops to 5ft, and by Monday, August 3rd, we’re looking at poor conditions with small, weak swell. So, for the best of the bunch, lock in that Friday morning, July 24th, for the cleanest, most lined-up waves, and brace yourselves for the bigger, more powerful swell around July 31st and August 1st.

Rusty signing off.

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