Doheney Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright mates, Rusty here. Let’s break down the next couple of weeks.

The water at Doheney Beach is sitting at 72°, which is a solid 4° warmer than usual for this time of year. That’s a real treat – you’ll be in boardshorts or a thin spring suit.

Right now, we’re looking at a bit of a slow start. The first few days are pretty weak. Wednesday morning the 19th has a small 3-foot SSW swell with a long 16-second period, which is a nice groundswell, but the wind is cross-on from the SW at just 3 mph. The combined energy is a very weak 450, and the wave comment is marginal. It’s not going to be much to write home about.

Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st are even worse – onshore wind and poor surf conditions. We’re looking at a gap of several days where it’s not worth paddling out. The swell stays small and the wind is messy.

Things start to look a little more promising from Monday the 24th onward. The afternoon of the 24th shows a clean 2-foot SW swell with a 17-second period and a cross-offshore wind from the WNW at 9 mph. The combined energy is moderate (299), and the wave comment says “expect good surf conditions.” That’s the first real standout. The break is a reef, so that long-period groundswell will wrap in nicely, and the clean conditions will make for some fun, groomed lines.

Tuesday the 25th afternoon also looks clean with a similar 2-foot SW swell and cross-off wind. The energy is a bit lower (271), but still rideable and clean.

The real highlight, though, is shaping up for Saturday the 29th of August. The morning shows a 4-foot SSW swell with a 17-second period and combined energy of 787 – that’s strong wave energy. The wind is light and cross from the W at 6 mph, keeping the surface clean. The afternoon is similar with 4 feet and 788 energy. This is the best on offer in the whole window. The swell direction is SSW, which is just about perfect for this exposed reef. The water is still warm, and the long period will bring plenty of push. It’s not too big for intermediates, but at 4 feet, it’s still manageable for most. The only thing to keep in mind is that long-period swells can make for long lulls between sets.

Sunday the 30th has a bit more size (4 feet) but with onshore wind from the SSW, so it’ll be lumpy. The energy is still strong (672), but the wind is a dealbreaker for clean surfing.

The first week of September looks like it fades back into small, marginal surf. The 1st and 2nd have tiny swells and onshore or cross winds. Not much to get excited about.

So, overall, the first few days are a write-off. The best bet is definitely Saturday the 29th of August at Doheney Beach. Get on it for the clean, long-period SSW groundswell. The 24th and 25th afternoons are solid backup options if you’re itching for a session earlier.

Rusty.

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