Doheney Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Grab a seat because I’ve got the lowdown on Doheney Beach for the next couple of weeks, and honestly, it’s a bit of a slow burn. We’re looking at a stretch of surf that’s more about quantity than quality, with a couple of little windows where things might just line up.

The first few days are the main event, but even then, it’s not firing on all cylinders. We’ve got a long-period, 13-18 second groundswell rolling in from the SSW on Monday July 27th, pushing waves around 4ft. The ocean has got some guts to it, with a moderate wave energy of 1137, but the wind is a light cross-on from the SW at just 6 mph. That’s going to put a bit of a crinkle on the surface, but it’s not a washout. The water is notably warm too, sitting at 71°F, which is a good 5°F above average for this time of year – feels like a bath out there. Doheney is a reef break that’s fairly consistent and best for beginners, but with the swell coming from the SSW, its optimum direction, it’s worth a look.

The standout, if you can call it that, is Monday, July 27th morning. That’s the best window we’ve got. The swell is 4ft from the SSW with a long period of 18 seconds, but with that cross-on wind, it won’t be perfect. Don't expect a rippable wall; it’ll be more of a fun, mellow wave for the longboard or a foamie.

Things slide downhill after that. Tuesday and Wednesday (July 28-29) see the swell dip a little, staying around 4ft to 4ft, but the wind turns more directly onshore from the S and SSW. The wave energy climbs a bit, hitting 1267 on Wednesday afternoon, but with onshore wind, the quality will be chopped and messy. These days are pretty forgettable.

By Thursday July 30th and Friday July 31st, we get a slight bump in size, with Friday morning seeing 6ft from the S. That’s getting a bit juicy, but the period drops to 13 seconds, and the wind is still a light cross-on. It’s still not clean, clean surf.

Then comes a massive gap. From Saturday August 2nd all the way through to around Wednesday August 6th, the ocean goes to sleep. We’re talking tiny 1ft to 2ft slop. The combined energy plummets into the low 100s. There’s absolutely nothing worth paddling out for. You can leave your board in the car for nearly a week.

There’s a small flicker of hope around Friday, August 7th. The swell picks back up to 3ft from the SSW with a very long 19-second period, registering a moderate 595 in the energy department. The wind stays light cross-on. For a reef break like Doheney, those long-period groundswells can wrap in nicely and offer a clean, lined-up wave, but at just 3ft, it’s going to be small and inconsistent. It’s a promising sign, but not a guarantee.

The tail end of the forecast, from August 8th onward, keeps the swell tiny, rarely cracking 3ft. The wind stays light, but the juice just isn’t there.

So, what’s the call? If you’re desperate for a paddle, Monday morning, July 27th is your best bet. It’s the biggest, most consistent swell of the whole window, and the wind is tolerable. For the rest, it’s a waiting game. It’s a tough outlook for the next two weeks at Doheney. Keep an eye on the sky, because a change in wind could make all the difference, but right now, the magic just isn't here.

Rusty.

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