Doheney Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.46° N 117.68° W

Doheney Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 18 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Doheney Beach sea temperature is
22.3° C
2.6° 

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 19 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 25 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 17s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SSW swell with 382 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 16s 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 6s. 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 0.9m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore 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 24) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Tue 18th Aug)1.5ft (0.5m) 16s
Best Surf 5AM (Tue 25th Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 17s
Most Powerful 2PM (Wed 19th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Hey there, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk about what’s shakin’ at Doheney Beach.

The next 16 days are pretty quiet, mate. We’re lookin’ at small surf with mostly “marginal” conditions. The water’s a warm 72°, and that’s a good 5° above normal for this time of year – you won’t need much more than boardshorts. The combined energy of all swells is mostly in the low-to-mid hundreds (398), so it’s moderate at best, nothin’ to get excited about.

From Tuesday 18th August all the way through Monday 31st August, it’s a whole lotta waitin’. Swell stays small – 2ft to 3ft – mostly from the SSW with periods from 13 to 17 seconds. That’s long-period groundswell, which usually gives you nice shaped waves, but there’s just no size to work with. Winds are light cross-on or cross most days, so it’s clean-ish, but the surf calls keep sayin’ “marginal”. No real standouts in this stretch.

Come Friday 28th and Saturday 29th August, there’s a tiny bump. Saturday morning (29th) hits 3ft from the SSW with a 16-second period, and the energy climbs to 491 – the best we’ve seen. Winds are light cross-on, but it’s still not enough to call it a good session. Wednesday morning (19th) had clear skies and 3ft, but again, too thin.

The one true standout – and I mean the only one worth paddlin’ for – is Saturday 29th August afternoon. Swell hits 3ft from the SSW, period 16 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to 565. That’s the biggest energy of the whole 16 days. Winds turn light cross-shore, so you’ll get clean little waves. For a beginner reef that’s exposed to SSW, this is your moment. Doheney gets crowded “often,” so bring your patience.

After that, Sunday 30th holds at 4ft in the morning, but it’s cross-on and the energy slips. From Monday 31st onward, it’s back to tiny, weak surf. Tuesday 1st September has a scrappy 2ft, and Wednesday 2nd gets blown out with onshore winds.

So here’s the scoop: if you really need a paddle, aim for Saturday 29th August afternoon. That’s your best chance for a chest-high, clean little wave at Doheney. Otherwise, save your energy for a better forecast.

– Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed morning, min 20°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sun morning, min 23°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
1
1
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
2
1
1
2
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)
0.7
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
17
0.8
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.6
SSW
13
0.6
SSW
13
0.5
SSW
13
0.4
SW
18
0.6
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.4
SW
19
0.5
SW
18
0.6
SW
18
0.6
SW
18
0.6
SW
17
0.6
SW
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
232
243
246
377
314
246
239
236
173
139
137
98
90
165
218
127
155
213
197
179
224
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
15
W
5
S
5
SSW
5
WSW
10
SE
10
SSW
10
SSW
5
S
10
SSW
10
SW
5
SSE
10
WSW
10
WSW
5
S
10
WSW
10
W
5
WSW
10
W
20
WNW
5
SW
Wind State
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross
glassy
cross
cross-off
glassy
High Tide
1:44PM1.88m
3:28AM1.21m
2:36PM1.83m
3:49PM1.80m
8:27AM1.36m
5:08PM1.83m
8:30AM1.43m
6:10PM1.91m
8:44AM1.49m
6:57PM2.01m
9:00AM1.55m
7:36PM2.10m
Low Tide
9:19PM0.80m
7:04AM1.13m
11:01PM0.75m
00:21AM0.65m
10:10AM1.35m
1:12AM0.53m
11:58AM1.32m
1:49AM0.43m
12:52PM1.24m
2:20AM0.34m
1:32PM1.15m
2:48AM0.27m
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:13
6:15
6:16
6:16
6:16
6:18
6:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:32
7:31
7:30
7:30
7:29
7:27
7:25
 mm
1
Temp °C
22
23
22
24
24
23
24
24
23
24
24
23
25
24
23
26
26
24
25
25
24
Feels °C
24
24
23
25
25
26
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
24
25
26
26
26
26
25
26
  • Map Icons:
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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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