
Surf Forecasts:
Doheney Beach surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with 1,136 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 16s period with SW 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Doheney Beach in the next 16 days are 1.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Doheney Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
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
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Fri morning, min 20°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Mon afternoon, min 20°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 11 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 15 | S 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
126 | 181 | 83 | 137 | 366 | 255 | 143 | 338 | 419 | 461 | 449 | 632 | 606 | 387 | 434 | 474 | 330 | 723 | 694 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross | cross-off | glassy |
High Tide | 11:18PM2.26m | 12:51PM1.80m | 00:07AM2.01m | 1:33PM1.84m | 1:01AM1.74m | 2:17PM1.86m | 2:06AM1.48m | 3:04PM1.88m | 3:40AM1.29m | 3:55PM1.89m | 5:53AM1.24m | 4:49PM1.91m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:17AM0.16m | 6:14PM0.94m | 6:54AM0.36m | 7:21PM0.95m | 7:30AM0.58m | 8:38PM0.94m | 8:06AM0.79m | 10:09PM0.88m | 8:44AM0.98m | 11:37PM0.77m | 9:34AM1.13m | 00:45AM0.63m | |||||||
— | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | |
8:00 | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 21 |
Feels °C | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 11 | SW 17 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 15 | S 13 |
46 | 41 | 27 | 137 | 366 | 255 | 143 | 338 | 413 | 325 | 327 | 632 | 606 | 387 | 434 | 474 | 330 | 723 | 694 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 19 | SW 14 | W 7 | S 12 | S 12 | SW 16 | S 10 | SW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 11 | SSW 17 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SSE 14 | S 16 | SSW 14 | W 6 |
106 | 181 | 74 | 15 | 99 | 132 | 90 | 127 | 419 | 461 | 449 | 240 | 221 | 163 | 70 | 145 | 245 | 325 | 76 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 18 | S 11 | W 6 | WSW 6 | SW 13 | S 13 | WNW 15 | WNW 15 | W 5 | SSW 20 | SSE 14 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 8 | SSE 13 | SW 7 | SSW 14 |
126 | 74 | 83 | 40 | 13 | 12 | 44 | 165 | 43 | 42 | 4 | 75 | 39 | 120 | 64 | 46 | 170 | 17 | 257 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 3 | S 3 | SSE 3 | SSE 3 | — | — | WSW 6 | — | — | — | W 5 | — | — | — | WNW 3 | WNW 4 | W 4 | — |
— | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | 15 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 41 | 76 | 74 | 74 | 76 | 76 | 3 | 74 | 97 | 0 | 77 | 97 | 7 | 76 | 97 | 0 | 97 | 97 | 0 |
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.










