Doheney Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with ya – the next couple of weeks are a mixed bag for Doheney Beach. We’ve got a steady stream of swell on the cards, but the quality is gonna be a struggle for most of it. The water’s sitting at 71°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t need a thick suit.

We kick off on Saturday, August 22, with tiny 2 ft SSW swell and a 13 second period, but the wind is a light cross-on from the SW. The combined energy is only 172, so it’s weak. Honestly, it’s poor – more of a paddle than a surf. Sunday the 23rd sees similar small stuff, 1 ft to 2 ft, but the Sunday afternoon session gets a bit of a shine with a clean, cross-off breeze from the WNW and combined energy jumping to 337. Still, it’s marginal.

Monday the 24th through to Tuesday the 25th stays small, with 2 ft SW swell and light winds – not much to write home about. The real change hits on Wednesday August 26. The morning kicks up to 5 ft from the S, with a 13 second period and combined energy at a solid 939, but the wind is straight onshore from the SSE, making it a messy, choppy affair. That trend continues Thursday and Friday – onshore winds and poor surf, though Friday the 28th afternoon sees a cleaner cross-shore breeze and a nice 2 ft SSW swell with a long 19 second period, pushing combined energy to 532. That’s a little window of hope for the more patient surfer.

The weekend of August 29-30 offers 3 ft to 4 ft SSW swell, periods around 15-16 seconds, but most sessions have that light onshore or cross-on wind. Combined energy hits 831 on Saturday morning, so there’s some push, but the quality is marginal. It’s not terrible, but it’s not firing.

Then we hit a bit of a lull from Monday September 1 through Wednesday September 3 – small, 2 ft to 2 ft stuff, some from the W, with short periods dropping to 7 seconds on Tuesday afternoon. That’s weak and messy. Not recommended.

Now, here’s the standout. Thursday September 3 afternoon we get a 3 ft SSW groundswell with a very long 21 second period, and combined energy rockets to 1070. Winds are light and cross-shore from the W, which is clean. For a reef break like Doheney, that long period will wrap in nicely, giving you longer waits between sets but proper, well-shaped waves. This is the best on offer across the whole period, and it’s a Thursday – so if you can sneak out, do it.

Friday September 4 morning keeps the momentum with 4 ft SSW swell, 19 second period, and combined energy hitting 1390 – the highest we see. But it’s onshore from the S (10 km/h), so it’s going to be a bit bumpy. Still, the energy is there. The afternoon stays similar but with SSE winds, making it worse.

Saturday September 5 to Sunday September 6 sees the swell ease back to 4 ft to 4 ft SSW, periods dropping to 15-16 seconds, and combined energy still strong around 1127 to 780. Winds remain light and mostly cross-on or onshore, so it’s marginal but rideable for the keen.

Overall, if you’re after clean, classic Doheney point waves, Thursday September 3 afternoon is your call – that long period groundswell with clean side-shore wind is the real deal. The early stuff is too small or too windy, and the later days have energy but not the ideal wind. Crowds are likely here often, so don’t expect to have it to yourself.

Rusty.

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