Doheney Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, let’s get into it. This is Rusty, and I’m lookin’ at the next couple of weeks at Doheney Beach. Gotta be straight with you, it’s a bit of a mixed bag, and honestly, there’s a fair stretch where it’s not really worth paddling out.

The wave energy is all over the shop, with the combined energy readings bouncing around. Early on, we’re talking weak to moderate stuff, with values like 297 and 183 (combined energy), and it’s mostly just poor surf conditions. The wind is on it, which is a bit of a bummer for a spot that’s open to the swell.

The first real standout, if you can call it that, is the morning of July 20th. The swell is pushing about 5 ft from the SSW, with a period of 12 seconds. That’s a bit of a pulse, but the wind is a light cross-onshore, so it’s gonna be a little bumpy. The water’s a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sittin’ at 70°, which is nice.

Honestly, the best, most consistent, and cleanest windows are gonna be the afternoons around July 21st and 22nd. On the 21st afternoon, we’ve got a 3 ft SSW swell with a 15-second period, and the wind is a cross-offshore breeze. The waves are clean, and the combined energy is 617 (moderate). That’s the best you’re gonna get for a manageable, fun session. The 22nd afternoon is similar, with a 3 ft SSW swell, clean conditions, and a moderate breeze.

The surf gets a bit more interesting, but not necessarily better, heading into the last week of July. On the 31st of July, the swell jumps up to 6 ft from the S, with a 13-second period. That’s bigger, but it’s cross-shore wind, and the energy is 1195 (moderate). It’s a bit of a wildcard, but if you’re an expert, that afternoon might be worth a look.

There’s a good run from the 25th of July through the 28th, with combined energy readings over 1000 (strong) and swell in the 3 ft to 4 ft range from the SSW. The wind is mostly light cross-onshore or cross-shore, so it’s not perfect, but it’s consistent. The period is long, around 14-19 seconds, which means good, powerful waves, but at a beach break like this, those long-period swells can be a bit straight and hard to predict.

The 31st of July morning is another juicy one, with 5 ft swell from the S and a 15-second period, but the energy is through the roof at 1692 (strong). The wind is a light cross-onshore, so it’s gonna be a bit of a battle to get out, but the waves will be there.

If you’re a beginner, keep an eye on the swell size. Anytime it’s under 5 ft, you’re in the game, but anything over that, like the 5 ft on the 20th or the 6 ft on the 31st, is gonna be a handful. The 3 ft to 4 ft days are your best bet for a safe, fun paddle.

The first week of August is a bit of a letdown. The swell drops right off, with the 1st of August seeing only 5 ft and 4 ft from the SSW and S, with short periods of 11-12 seconds. The energy drops to 617 and 469 (weak), and it’s just cross-shore wind. Not worth the drive.

Overall, the best bet for a solid, clean session is the afternoon of July 21st. The cross-offshore wind, clean waves, and moderate energy make it the pick of the bunch. The 31st of July afternoon is a close second for the bigger, more powerful stuff, but it’s only for the experienced crew.

Alright, that’s the long and short of it. Keep your eyes on the horizon, and don’t be afraid to sit it out if it’s not looking right. This is Rusty, signing off.

Read more