Surf Forecasts:
Doheney Beach surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SSW swell with 402 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s period with SSW 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 Sunday (Aug 16) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Doheney Beach in the next 16 days are 0.9m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 6s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Doheney Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Gotta be straight with you – the next couple of weeks are looking pretty flat for Doheney Beach, so we’re in for a waiting game. The water's sitting at 73.8°F which is 6.3°F above normal, so it's feeling more like summer than late August – that's very unusual for this time of year.
There’s absolutely nothing doing right now. The first few days through to the 22nd are a write-off. Expect tiny, weak swell with nothing over a foot and a half to three feet, and most of it getting chewed up by onshore or cross-shore breezes. You’ll see the odd long-period SSW groundswell pulse, but the energy’s just not there. On the 16th, we see a combined energy of 532, but the quality comment says it all – marginal and questionable. The wind stays light, but the swell never really finds its feet. Honestly, it's more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddle-surfing one for most of this period.
From the 23rd onward through the end of the month, the swell stays small and weak, hovering between 1.3 ft and 2 ft with periods that finally start to drop off. But here’s the kicker – keep your eye on Wednesday the 26th afternoon. The wind goes glassy, which is the best we’ll see. Still only 2 ft from the SW with a period of 16 seconds, but the energy is moderate at 334. It’s not going to be pumping, but for the one guy or gal who just needs to get wet on a clean face with a long paddle out between sets, it’s the best of a quiet run. After that, Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th mornings also look clean with cross-off breezes and the occasional 2 ft pulse.
The brief highlight of the whole forecast is Saturday the 29th afternoon. The swell bumps up to 3.3 ft from the SSW with a 16-second period, and the combined energy hits 714. Winds are cross-off, so it’ll be clean. It's still small and marginal, but it’s the closest thing to a proper session we’ve got. Crowds are often an issue here, so don't expect a lonely wave.
Overall, keep your expectations low. It’s a long, drawn-out flat spell with only a few brief moments of rideable, glassy surf. The second week is especially quiet. Stay patient.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed morning, min 20°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat morning, min 22°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
372 | 367 | 330 | 264 | 261 | 232 | 243 | 272 | 377 | 314 | 246 | 236 | 236 | 173 | 139 | 137 | 98 | 92 | 165 | 222 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 00:36AM1.60m | 1:03PM1.93m | 1:39AM1.37m | 1:44PM1.88m | 3:28AM1.21m | 2:36PM1.83m | 3:49PM1.80m | 8:27AM1.36m | 5:08PM1.83m | 8:30AM1.43m | 6:10PM1.91m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 6:49PM0.75m | 6:27AM0.77m | 7:54PM0.79m | 6:49AM0.96m | 9:19PM0.80m | 7:04AM1.13m | 11:01PM0.75m | 00:21AM0.65m | 10:10AM1.35m | 1:12AM0.53m | 11:58AM1.32m | 1:49AM0.43m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
7:36 | — | — | 7:34 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 |
Feels °C | 21 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 |
372 | 367 | 330 | 264 | 59 | 57 | 56 | 272 | 377 | 314 | 246 | 236 | 236 | 173 | 139 | 137 | 98 | 92 | 165 | 222 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | W 6 | SSW 18 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 5 | W 5 | W 6 | W 5 | W 6 | SW 17 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 19 | WNW 10 |
19 | 8 | 35 | 32 | 261 | 232 | 243 | 36 | 40 | 27 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 47 | 6 | 6 | 57 | 32 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 9 | SW 20 | S 8 | SSW 18 | SW 19 | SW 19 | S 10 | SW 18 | SSE 10 | SW 17 | SW 18 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 |
2 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 114 | 98 | 6 | 16 | 6 | 31 | 57 | 56 | 8 | 81 | 18 | 47 | 81 | 19 | 19 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | W 5 | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 5 | — | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — |
13 | 26 | — | 47 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | — | — | 11 | — | — | 12 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 97 | 84 | 97 | 97 | 0 | 77 | 97 | 0 | 76 | 97 | 0 | 74 | 97 | 0 | 76 | 139 | 0 | 97 | 97 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Orange County | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











