
Surf Forecasts:
Doheney Beach surf forecast from 21 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 13s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 26 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 19s period, SSW swell with 1,004 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 15s 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 (Jul 21) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Doheney Beach in the next 16 days are 1.2m 19s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 26) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Tue 21st Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Doheney Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, mate, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer at Doheney Beach over the next couple of weeks.
The water is sitting at a balmy 71°, which is a massive 5° warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s seriously warm, almost like a bath. You won’t need a thick wetsuit, that’s for sure.
The first few days are a bit of a mixed bag. Monday the 20th kicks off with a 3 ft SW swell, but it’s a light cross-shore breeze, so it’s rideable but not setting the world on fire. Wave energy is moderate (602). Tuesday the 21st is the one to watch early on. The morning is a bit iffy, but Tuesday afternoon cleans right up with a gentle cross-offshore breeze from the WNW. You’ve got a 3 ft SSW swell, a solid 15-second period, and the energy is moderate (589). That’s a pretty good window for a beginner-friendly wave.
Wednesday the 22nd sees a bit more wind, but it’s still cross-offshore in the afternoon, holding the 3 ft swell together. Through Thursday the 23rd, the swell bumps up to 5 ft in the morning from the S, with a 13-second period, but it’s a bit cross-shore. The energy is getting strong (898). This is fine for a go, but nothing is screaming “standout.”
Now, from Friday the 24th, the swell direction swings onshore. The wind is coming straight in from the SSW and S, so the waves will be messy. The energy is strong (1111 on Friday morning), but the conditions are poor. This onshore trend continues right through the weekend and into the following week. It’s a real shame because the swell is consistent, but the straight-on wind is going to chop it up. You’ll be looking at 3 ft to 4 ft waves, but with a lot of bump.
The real red-letter day is looking like Friday the 31st of July. The swell picks up to 6 ft from the SSE in the morning, with a 14-second period. The energy is very strong (1905). The wind is a light cross-on, so it’s not perfect, but it’s the biggest, most powerful swell of the run. This is a bit big for beginners, but it'll be a proper fun session for anyone comfortable in that size. The afternoon holds similar size at 5 ft from the S. Surf is on the cards.
Saturday the 1st of August has even more size – 7 ft in the morning from the S, dropping to 7 ft in the afternoon. This is getting into expert-only territory, and the onshore wind is still a factor. The energy is very strong (1676). It’s big, but messy.
After that, it tails off quickly. Sunday the 2nd of August drops to 4 ft onshore junk, and the energy is weak (458). The rest of the outlook into the first week of August is a mix of small, cross-on waves in the 3 ft to 6 ft range, with a bit more swell on the 4th, but the best of the window has passed.
Bottom line: The standout is Friday the 31st of July. The 6 ft SSE swell with strong energy is your best chance for a proper session. Get on it. The crowd is “often” around here, so expect some company. Get there early.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Mon afternoon, min 20°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat afternoon, min 22°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | SW 24 | SSW 13 | SW 21 | SSW 21 | SW 21 | SW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
367 | 334 | 475 | 474 | 559 | 400 | 333 | 511 | 784 | 572 | 483 | 563 | 507 | 664 | 584 | 634 | 863 | 657 | 559 | 719 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | on | on |
High Tide | 3:04PM1.88m | 3:40AM1.29m | 3:55PM1.89m | 5:53AM1.24m | 4:49PM1.91m | 7:39AM1.30m | 5:43PM1.94m | 8:32AM1.38m | 6:32PM2.00m | 9:04AM1.44m | 7:15PM2.08m | 9:31AM1.49m | 7:55PM2.16m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:09PM0.88m | 8:44AM0.98m | 11:37PM0.77m | 9:34AM1.13m | 00:45AM0.63m | 10:48AM1.23m | 1:34AM0.51m | 12:01PM1.25m | 2:13AM0.40m | 12:57PM1.23m | 2:47AM0.31m | 1:40PM1.19m | 3:19AM0.24m | |||||||
— | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | |
7:59 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 23 |
Feels °C | 24 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SW 18 |
231 | 334 | 475 | 474 | 559 | 400 | 325 | 511 | 784 | 572 | 483 | 475 | 507 | 424 | 322 | 242 | 863 | 657 | 559 | 719 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | S 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 9 | S 8 | S 16 | S 14 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 26 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | SW 21 | SSW 21 | SW 21 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | W 7 |
367 | 122 | 193 | 84 | 33 | 127 | 333 | 316 | 50 | 171 | 100 | 73 | 43 | 664 | 584 | 634 | 250 | 193 | 157 | 43 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | SW 13 | SSE 14 | SSE 12 | SW 9 | SW 8 | SW 7 | W 6 | W 12 | SW 18 | SW 26 | SW 24 | SSW 24 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 11 |
4 | 175 | 40 | 31 | 37 | 31 | 19 | 41 | 3 | 49 | 171 | 563 | 368 | 33 | 42 | 27 | 18 | 27 | 29 | 78 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 6 | W 6 | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 6 | 13 | 45 | 61 | 73 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 97 | 76 | 77 | 0 | 4 | 97 | 97 | 0 | 97 | 194 | 76 | 76 | 97 | 13 | 97 | 97 | 0 | 74 | 139 | 74 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Orange County | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










