Doheney Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Doheney Beach (reef break) over the next couple of weeks.

Straight off the bat, I gotta be honest with you – the first week is a bit of a grind. We’ve got some swell, sure, but the wind is just not playing ball. For the first few days, from Friday the 17th through to the start of the following week, it’s mostly onshore or cross-onshore breezes, and the wave quality is pretty poor. We’re looking at small, weak little lines in the 1 ft to 3 ft range from the SW, with a very long period (19 seconds down to 17 seconds) – that’s proper groundswell, but it’s just not got the push to do much under these winds. The combined energy is weak to moderate (298 to 480), and the onshore wind is just chopping it all up. Not worth paddling out for.

Things start to get a little more interesting from Sunday the 19th into Monday the 20th. The swell picks up a touch to 3 ft to 4 ft from the SSW, and the period drops to a more manageable 15-17 seconds. The wind goes light cross-onshore, so it’s not perfect, but it’s a step up. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so no need to stress about a wetsuit or a rashie. The combined energy climbs into the moderate range (636 to 951). Still, the scores are low, and the wave comment says “marginal” – it’s a session for the die-hards who don’t mind a bit of a bumpy ride.

Tuesday the 21st and Wednesday the 22nd stay similar, with the swell holding around 3 ft to 4 ft. But here’s the first real glimmer of hope: Wednesday afternoon the 22nd. The wind swings to a cross-offshore breeze from the WNW at 12 mph, cleaning things right up. The swell is 4 ft from the S, with a 15-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 1080 (strong). The wave comment says “clean.” That’s the best we’ve seen so far. It’s not a classic, but for a Wednesday session, it’s a solid option.

Then we hit a bit of a flat spot. Thursday the 23rd and Friday the 24th are back to onshore winds and smaller, weaker swell. The energy drops off, and the waves are messy. Not worth a paddle.

But hold on to your board, because the real standout is brewing for the Saturday the 25th through Monday the 27th. Saturday morning sees a solid pulse of SSW swell hitting 6 ft, and by the afternoon it’s hitting 7 ft. This is bigger stuff – definitely getting into the expert-only zone for a reef break. The period is 14-16 seconds, so it’s got some punch. The combined energy is very strong (2282 and 2029). The wind is light cross-onshore, so it’s not glassy, but it’s light enough that the waves will have some shape. This is the biggest swell of the window. If you’re an experienced surfer and you want a challenge, this is your window.

Right on the back of that, Monday the 27th afternoon looks like a real gem. The swell drops back to a more manageable 4 ft from the SSW, but the period stretches out to a very long 19 seconds. The wind goes cross-offshore from the WNW at 9 mph, and the wave comment says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” The combined energy is 1487. This is the pick of the whole forecast. Clean, lined-up, proper groundswell. It’s going to be a ripper session for those who know what they’re doing.

After that, the swell slowly fades through the end of July and into the first of August. Tuesday the 28th through Thursday the 30th still have some waist-high leftovers (3 ft to 4 ft) with light winds, but the energy drops off, and the onshore wind returns. By Friday the 31st and Saturday the 1st of August, it’s back to tiny, wind-affected lumps. The run ends with a whimper.

So, the best on offer? Without a doubt, Monday afternoon the 27th of July – clean, 4 ft SSW groundswell with a 19-second period and cross-offshore wind. That’s the one to circle on the calendar. For the bigger wave crowd, Saturday the 25th of July is the biggest swell of the run, but it’s a bit wind-affected, so it’s a close second.

Crowds at Doheney are a consideration – the guidance says it’s “often” crowded, so expect company, especially on those better days.

Stay salty,
Rusty

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