Doheney Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Doheney Beach. It’s a reef break that’s pretty exposed, and the optimum swell is supposed to come from the SSW. We’ve got a long 16-day window ahead, and honestly, for the first week or so, it’s looking pretty grim. There’s a big gap with no real recommendations. The surf quality is mostly poor or marginal, so don’t get your hopes up for anything special in the near term.

We’re kicking off on Saturday, 11 July. The morning has some clouds with a 3ft SSW swell, but the wind is straight onshore from the south at 10 km/h. The combined energy is moderate (471), but with that wind, it’s messy. The afternoon stays cloudy, a little smaller at 3ft, but the wind swings west and goes cross-shore. It’s still just marginal at best.

Sunday 12 July is more of the same – 3ft SSW swell, cross-shore wind in the morning, turning cross-onshore in the afternoon. Conditions are poor. Monday 13 July through Thursday 16 July are a write-off. Swell drops, wind stays unfriendly, and the energy levels drop. Tuesday 14 July afternoon has a brief moment of clean surf (233 energy), but it’s tiny at 1ft with a very long 18-second period. That’s groundswell, but for a beach-reef setup like this, those long-period swells can break too straight. Not worth paddling out for.

Friday 17 July morning shows a 2ft SW swell with a 19-second period (285 energy), but the wind is onshore. Not great.

Saturday 18 July is where things get interesting. The morning has 3ft from the SSE with a 20-second period and a strong energy reading (898). The wind is onshore, though. The afternoon sees a jump to 5ft SSE swell (1464 energy) and a 17-second period. The wind is cross-onshore but light, at 10 km/h. This is the standout of the whole forecast. The size is manageable, the period is long, and if that light wind holds, it could be clean. This is the best on offer – Saturday afternoon the 18th.

Sunday 19 July holds similar size at 4-5ft from the S, but the period drops to 12-13 seconds and the energy stays high (963-1035). It’s still marginal due to cross-onshore wind.

From Monday 20 July through Friday 24 July, it drops off again. Poor conditions and small swell.

Then Saturday 25 July and Sunday 26 July show another pulse. 5ft S swell on Saturday (1050 energy) with 13-second period. Light cross-onshore wind, so still marginal, but the size is there. Sunday the 26th sees 4ft from the S, 12 seconds, with a cross-shore wind. It’s not a standout, but it’s something to watch.

Overall, the water temperature is about average for this time of year, nothing wild. Crowds at Doheney are often there, so be ready for company. For the standout on Saturday the 18th afternoon, you might be sharing it. But with that 5ft SSE swell and long period, it’s your best shot in a pretty slow 16 days.

Rusty.

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