Doheney Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, let’s get into it. The swell window is looking pretty quiet for a while, and the forecast is giving us a bit of a mediocre run for the most part. We’ve got a decent spike in size coming up, but the conditions are a constant battle. Let’s break it down.

The first few days are a bit of a write-off, with a long, flat gap starting from now. The good news is that starting Thursday afternoon, July 23rd, we finally see some surf building at Doheney Beach. It’s a reef break, mostly a beginner-friendly spot, but it’s fairly consistent. The water is a very unusual 73°F, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year. The swell is a 4ft South swell with a 13-second period, which is a decent groundswell, but the combined energy is moderate (642). The trouble is the wind is a cross-shore from the West at 9 mph, creating a bit of a chop. It’s rideable, but far from clean.

The pattern continues through Friday and Saturday, July 24th and 25th, with small, waist-high swell from the SSW. The swell period is very long, over 20 seconds, which means the waves will have a lot of energy but will be very lined up and might just close out at a beach break. The wind is onshore or cross-onshore, so the surface is ugly. The wave energy is moderate (in the 900s), but it’s not translating into great shape.

Sunday, July 26th, is a real letdown. The wind is onshore, the swell is still small, and the quality is just not there. It’s a day to leave the board in the car.

The real highlight of the entire 16-day window, and the only one that’s worth a serious look, is the period from late July into the first of August. The standout is Thursday, July 31st. The swell is pumping up to 7ft from the South, with a period of 14 seconds. The combined wave energy jumps to strong (1584), and it’s a west-southwest cross-shore wind at 6 mph. This is a big, powerful, and clean swell. This is a serious session for experienced surfers. The size is over 8ft, so it’s strictly for experts. If you’re not feeling that, the morning of the 31st is a bit smaller at 6ft, also with clean cross-wind, and is a solid option.

Saturday, August 1st, holds size at 7ft from the South, but the wind is onshore and the period shortens to 13 seconds, so it’s a lot messier. After that, the swell drops back down quickly.

The second week of the forecast is a ghost town. From Sunday, August 2nd, through to the end of the window on August 7th, the swell drops to tiny, weak, and often poor conditions. The wave energy dips to between 140 and 524, and the wind is mostly cross-onshore. It’s a flat spell.

So, the call is clear: if you’re an expert, the big, clean wave on Thursday, July 31st is the one to circle. For everyone else, there’s a long stretch of nothing to look forward to.

Rusty.

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