
Surf Forecasts:
Doheney Beach surf forecast from 21 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 13s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 13s period, S swell with 1,021 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 11s. 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 1.7m 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) 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 0.8m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Doheney Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s heading our way.
The next 16 days are a bit of a mixed bag, but we’ve got some real potential to get excited about, especially if you’re patient and can pick your window. The first few days are a bit tricky with iffy winds, but the swell direction is spot on for Doheney Beach. That water temperature is sitting at 71°, which is much warmer than usual for this time of year—you’ll be feeling that nice anomaly.
We’re starting off Monday, July 20th, with a small 3ft swell from the SSW, but it’s a long-period groundswell at 15 seconds. The energy is moderate (541) but the cross-on wind from the SSW at 6 mph is going to put a bit of a chop on it. Honestly, it’s marginal. Tuesday morning, the 21st, gets a little punchier with a 3ft SSW swell, but that cross-on wind picks up to 9 mph, making for a bumpy surface. The morning of Thursday, July 23rd, is where we start to see something interesting: the swell bumps up to 5ft from the S with a 13-second period, and the wind is light and cross-shore. The energy is getting strong at 988. It’s still got a “marginal” tag, but it’s looking better.
Now, the real standout for the early period is Friday, July 24th, in the morning. The wind goes clean offshore from the S at just 6 mph, and you’ve got a 2ft swell from the SW with a monster 24-second period. That’s a very long period groundswell, and the energy is strong at 1174. That kind of period will produce some beautiful, lined-up waves, though it’s best suited for a reef or point break like Doheney. It won’t be huge, but it will be glassy and clean. This is your best look for a while.
The next real highlight doesn’t come until the end of the month. The morning of Thursday, July 30th, sees a 4ft SSW swell with a 15-second period and light cross-shore winds. The energy is moderate (978). But the real fire lights up on Friday, July 31st. The morning brings a much bigger 7ft swell from the SSE, with a 15-second period and light cross-on winds. The energy is very strong at 2113. That’s a serious amount of water moving. This is getting into expert territory, as it’s over 7ft, so it’s not for the faint of heart. Saturday, August 1st, holds similar size at 7ft from the S in the morning, with energy at 1816. The winds stay light cross-on, so it’s going to be a powerful, chunky couple of days for the experienced crew.
After that, it fades. Sunday, August 2nd, drops to 5ft, and by Monday, August 3rd, we’re looking at poor conditions with small, weak swell. So, for the best of the bunch, lock in that Friday morning, July 24th, for the cleanest, most lined-up waves, and brace yourselves for the bigger, more powerful swell around July 31st and August 1st.
Rusty signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Tue morning, min 20°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat afternoon, min 21°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SSW 15 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | SSW 13 | SW 21 | SSW 21 | SW 21 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
298 | 367 | 334 | 519 | 474 | 559 | 400 | 338 | 694 | 891 | 784 | 673 | 563 | 492 | 664 | 584 | 445 | 863 | 863 | 628 | 719 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross | cross | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | on | 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 | 8:06AM0.79m | 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 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 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 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 |
Feels °C | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 22 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | 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 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
235 | 231 | 334 | 519 | 474 | 559 | 400 | 325 | 694 | 891 | 784 | 673 | 539 | 492 | 418 | 317 | 311 | 863 | 863 | 628 | 719 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SW 16 | S 10 | S 9 | SSW 9 | S 8 | W 5 | S 14 | SSW 14 | W 6 | SW 26 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | SW 21 | SSW 21 | SW 21 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 |
298 | 367 | 122 | 74 | 84 | 33 | 14 | 338 | 257 | 47 | 171 | 107 | 72 | 36 | 664 | 584 | 445 | 242 | 135 | 138 | 78 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | W 5 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSE 12 | SW 9 | S 16 | SSW 8 | W 6 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 26 | SW 24 | SSW 24 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 |
8 | 4 | 175 | 37 | 31 | 19 | 127 | 22 | 41 | 50 | 49 | 171 | 563 | 368 | 28 | 44 | 31 | 29 | 31 | 26 | 19 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 4 | W 4 | W 4 | WNW 5 | W 5 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 1 | 4 | 6 | 15 | 25 | — | — | 41 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 76 | 97 | 76 | 76 | 97 | 0 | 71 | 97 | 0 | 97 | 97 | 76 | 76 | 97 | 4 | 97 | 97 | 74 | 74 | 74 | 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.










