Doheney Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.46° N 117.68° W

Doheney Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 am 21 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Doheney Beach sea temperature is
21.6° C
1.9° 

Doheney Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Doheney Beach surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 13s period, S swell with 888 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 13s 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 6s. 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 1.6m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Fri 21st Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 13s
Best Surf 8AM (Mon 24th Aug)2ft (0.6m) 18s
Most Powerful 8AM (Wed 26th Aug)5ft (1.6m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Doheney Beach over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here in imperial. Let’s break down what’s happening at Doheney Beach.

For the first stretch, honestly, it’s a grind. The first couple of weeks are looking pretty flat and weak. Small waves and cross-onshore breezes are making the surface a bit bumpy. The water temp is about what you’d expect for this time of year, nothing wild.

The real payoff, the one you’re waiting for, doesn’t show up until the very end of the forecast. From Friday, August 21st, all the way through to Thursday, September 3rd, it’s a long run of marginal surf. The swell is tiny, mostly under 3ft, and the wind is never truly clean. There’s a small bump in energy mid-week, but it’s still too small and messy to get excited about. You’ll be scratching for a 2ft wave with a long wait between sets.

Now, here’s the good stuff. The standout is Friday, September 4th. This is the one. The morning starts glassy, with a light southerly breeze and clean lines. Swell is 5ft from the SSE, with a 16-second period. That’s a legit groundswell. The afternoon stays clean with a light offshore wind and the swell bumps up to 6ft from the SSE. The combined energy is massive. This is going to be a heavy, powerful day. That 5-6ft range is excellent, but with that long period, it’s going to have serious punch. This is expert territory—anything over 5ft gets real. The downside is the crowds; Doheney can get busy, and on a day like this, you’ll be sharing the lineup. The swell direction is right on the money for the break.

Saturday, September 5th has a bit more size, hitting 7ft from the S, but the wind turns a little cross-on, so it won’t be as clean as the day before.

So, for the first two weeks, save your energy. The one and only true standout is Friday, September 4th. That’s your day.

Rusty out.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sun morning, min 23°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Mon afternoon, min 23°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
0
1
2
1
2
2
1
2
2
2
3
3
2
1
2
1
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SSW
13
0.6
SSW
13
0.5
SSW
13
0.5
SSW
13
0.7
SSW
15
0.7
SSW
14
0.4
SW
19
0.5
SW
18
0.6
SW
18
0.6
SW
18
0.6
SW
17
0.6
SW
17
1
S
16
1.3
S
14
1.3
S
13
1.1
S
14
1.4
SSW
13
1.4
S
12
1.2
S
12
1.3
SSW
12
0.9
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
139
137
98
92
188
218
127
155
213
197
179
224
483
635
563
436
669
566
396
470
318
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
10
WSW
0
ESE
10
WSW
15
W
0
W
10
WSW
15
WNW
5
WNW
10
W
15
WNW
5
SW
10
WSW
15
WNW
5
SSE
10
S
10
S
5
SSE
10
S
10
SSW
10
SSE
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross
glassy
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross
cross-off
cross-on
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
High Tide
8:27AM1.36m
5:08PM1.83m
8:30AM1.43m
6:10PM1.91m
8:44AM1.49m
6:57PM2.01m
9:00AM1.55m
7:36PM2.10m
9:18AM1.61m
8:12PM2.17m
9:37AM1.67m
8:46PM2.20m
9:57AM1.75m
9:20PM2.17m
Low Tide
10:10AM1.35m
1:12AM0.53m
11:58AM1.32m
1:49AM0.43m
12:52PM1.24m
2:20AM0.34m
1:32PM1.15m
2:48AM0.27m
2:07PM1.04m
3:14AM0.24m
2:41PM0.94m
3:38AM0.25m
3:17PM0.85m
4:02AM0.29m
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:16
6:16
6:18
6:18
6:18
6:20
6:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:30
7:29
7:27
7:25
7:24
7:23
7:22
 mm
Temp °C
24
24
23
25
25
24
26
26
24
25
26
24
26
26
25
26
26
24
25
25
24
Feels °C
26
25
26
26
25
25
26
26
25
25
25
25
26
25
27
27
27
25
26
26
26
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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.

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