Doheney Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.46° N 117.68° W

Doheney Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 pm 25 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Doheney Beach sea temperature is
22.9°C
3.2° 

Doheney Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Doheney Beach surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 13s period, S swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 17s period, SSW swell with 867 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s period with S swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Doheney Beach this week:

The surf forecast for Doheney Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Doheney Beach in the next 16 days are 1.2m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Tue 25th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 15s
Best Surf 5AM (Wed 26th Aug)5ft (1.6m) 13s
Most Powerful 2AM (Sat 29th Aug)4ft (1.2m) 17s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Doheney Beach over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what Doheney Beach has in store for you.

Right off the bat, the surf is pretty underwhelming. The first few days are small and pretty average. The water is a balmy 73°, which is a huge 6° warmer than it should be this time of year, so you’re basically surfing in a warm bath. The early energy is weak at 358, with a tiny 2ft south-west groundswell on Tuesday morning. The light cross-on wind isn’t helping the wave shape much. It’s a "get wet but don’t expect much" kind of day.

Tuesday afternoon picks up slightly to 3ft from the south with a longer 13-second period, and the energy hits a moderate 544. Still, the light cross-on breeze makes it a bit bumpy.

Wednesday and Thursday (26th and 27th) are your best bet. Wednesday morning has clean, clear skies and a light 6 mph offshore breeze from the south-southwest. The swell rises to 5ft from the south with a solid 12-second period. The energy is a strong 880. That’s a bit hefty for beginners – anything over 5ft starts to get serious at Doheney. The wind stays light and offshore into the afternoon as the swell drops to 5ft. Thursday morning offers 4ft of south swell with light offshore wind. It’s clean and consistent, and the best stretch in the forecast, but it’s not a classic.

From Friday through the end of August, the size comes down. We get 3ft to 4ft south-southwest groundswells with periods from 14 to 17 seconds – nice and long. The problem is the wind turns cross-shore or cross-on, so the waves will have a little chop. Energy is moderate to strong, hitting 710 to 825 on Saturday (29th), but the lack of clean wind keeps it from being a standout. Saturday morning is still the pick of that period.

The first week of September is a mix. Tuesday 1st has a chance of cleaner conditions with a moderate 12 mph cross-offshore breeze from the west-northwest, but the swell is only 4ft from the south. Might be worth a look. Wednesday 2nd offers another 4ft south-southwest swell with a 13-second period and energy climbing to 898. Wind is light and cross-shore, so not perfect.

The second week really fades. From the 4th of September onward, swells sit between 2ft and 4ft with long periods (15 to 18 seconds), but the wind is nearly always onshore or cross-on. Energy readings range from 192 to 787, mostly weak to moderate. No real standout sessions in that second week; it’s a “check the cams and gamble” kind of stretch. The waves just don’t have the size or the clean wind to get excited about.

Bottom line: if you can swing it, aim for Wednesday 26th or Thursday 27th morning. Those are the cleanest, most consistent windows with good size and offshore wind. The rest is for the die-hards.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri morning, min 23°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri afternoon, min 21°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Tue
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
2
2
1
2
1
3
1
2
3
2
2
2
0
2
3
1
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
S
13
1.3
S
14
1.5
S
12
1.4
S
12
1.2
S
11
1.2
S
12
1.1
S
11
0.6
SSW
18
0.8
SSW
16
0.6
SSW
19
1.2
SSW
17
1
SSW
17
1.2
SSW
16
1.2
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
15
1
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
1
S
13
1
S
12
1
S
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
225
617
649
529
317
393
282
204
347
289
867
587
733
706
498
400
321
314
290
250
Wind (km/h)
5
SW
5
SSW
10
SSW
5
SW
10
SE
10
SSW
10
SSW
5
SSW
10
W
10
WSW
5
SSE
10
SW
10
WSW
10
SE
15
S
10
WSW
5
S
15
SSW
10
WSW
0
NW
Wind State
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross-on
on
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross
glassy
High Tide
8:12PM2.17m
9:37AM1.67m
8:46PM2.20m
9:57AM1.75m
9:20PM2.17m
10:19AM1.82m
9:55PM2.09m
10:42AM1.90m
10:32PM1.96m
11:06AM1.97m
11:12PM1.79m
11:35AM2.01m
11:59PM1.59m
Low Tide
2:07PM1.04m
3:14AM0.24m
2:41PM0.94m
3:38AM0.25m
3:17PM0.85m
4:02AM0.29m
3:53PM0.77m
4:25AM0.38m
4:33PM0.70m
4:48AM0.50m
5:16PM0.66m
5:12AM0.64m
6:05PM0.64m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:20
6:20
6:20
6:22
6:22
6:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:24
7:23
7:22
7:21
7:20
7:19
7:16
 mm
Temp °C
24
24
25
25
25
25
26
25
27
27
25
26
26
23
24
24
22
22
22
21
Feels °C
26
26
26
25
27
27
27
27
28
28
27
28
27
26
24
25
24
22
22
22
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Doheney Beach Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Doheney Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Doheney Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Doheney Beach 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 (Doheney Beach) 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 Doheney Beach 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.

Doheney Beach is 2 km (1 miles) from Dana Point. If you plan a vacation in Orange County, look for hotels and other accommodation in Dana Point. Dana Point has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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