Surf Forecasts:
Doheney Beach surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 18s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 18s period, SSW swell with 877 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 8PM (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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 18s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 6s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Doheney Beach in the next 16 days are 1.2m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Doheney Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, giving you the same outlook in feet and miles per hour.
The first few days are a tough go. Starting Sunday the 23rd of August, we’ve got tiny waves – just 1ft to 2ft from the SW. The water is sitting at a very unusual 73°F, which is much warmer than normal, but the surf is flat. The wind is light and cross-shore, so it’s not trashed, but the wave energy is weak and the conditions are marginal. Not much to work with.
Monday and Tuesday stay the same: tiny 2ft swell from the SW, light winds, and weak energy. It’s still a “marginal” call. You can float around, but you won’t be riding much.
Then Wednesday the 26th of August, we get a bump to 4ft to 5ft from the S, but the wind is onshore from the SSE at 9 mph, and the conditions are poor. The energy is moderate (736), but the wind is chewing it up. Not a good one.
Thursday and Friday are still small, with the swell dropping back to 2ft to 4ft, and the wind is a mix of cross-on and cross-off. The energy is moderate, but the surf quality is still marginal. There are a few clean windows, like Monday afternoon and Saturday afternoon from the 29th, with clean cross-off winds, but the swell is still only 3ft and 4ft. It’s surfable, but nothing special.
The real standout is coming later. Thursday the 3rd of September afternoon is the first time I get excited. We’ve got a 3ft swell from the SSW with a very long period of 19 seconds, and the wind is a clean cross-off from the WNW at 9 mph. The combined energy is moderate (919), and the guidance says “expect very good surf conditions.” That’s a window for clean, lined-up waves with that long-period groundswell. The reef at Doheney Beach will handle that well, though the long period might make it a bit straight.
Then Friday the 4th of September morning and afternoon is the real highlight. We’re looking at 4ft to 4ft of SSW swell, with a period of 17 seconds, and the combined energy is strong (1100 to 1143). The wind is light and cross-shore or cross-on, which is manageable. That’s the best on offer in the whole 16-day window. The size is solid but not too big for a good surfer. It’s a proper session.
The following days, Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th, stay in the 4ft to 5ft range, but the wind turns onshore from the S, and the periods drop to 14-15 seconds. The energy is strong (over 1800), but the onshore wind will chop it up. It’s a messy high-energy situation.
By Monday the 7th of September, the swell is 6ft from the S, but with a moderate onshore breeze from the SSE at 16 mph, it’s a messy, windy day. The energy is strong (1560), but the conditions are poor. This is more of a kite-surfing setup than a good paddle session.
So, to wrap it up: the first week is a grind with small, marginal surf. The standout is clearly Thursday the 3rd of September afternoon through Friday the 4th of September, with clean, long-period groundswell and manageable winds. That’s the window to circle. The crowd factor at Doheney Beach is “often” busy, so expect company, especially when it’s good.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Tue morning, min 23°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Fri morning, min 23°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
127 | 155 | 213 | 197 | 179 | 270 | 216 | 208 | 289 | 472 | 529 | 529 | 335 | 317 | 270 | 281 | 325 | 742 | 587 | 635 | 604 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-on | on | cross | cross-off | on |
High Tide | 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 | 10:19AM1.82m | 9:55PM2.09m | 10:42AM1.90m | 10:32PM1.96m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 3:53PM0.77m | 4:25AM0.38m | 4:33PM0.70m | 4:48AM0.50m | |||||||
6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
— | 7:27 | — | — | 7:25 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:20 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 |
Feels °C | 26 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSE 12 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | W 8 | S 9 | SSW 17 | W 8 | SSW 16 | W 8 |
39 | 98 | 213 | 197 | 179 | 270 | 216 | 155 | 289 | 472 | 529 | 529 | 335 | 317 | 196 | 93 | 106 | 742 | 118 | 635 | 172 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 6 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | SW 16 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | SW 15 | W 7 | W 8 | W 9 | S 9 | SSW 19 | W 8 | SSW 17 | W 7 | SSW 16 |
99 | 155 | 199 | 16 | 82 | 126 | 126 | 208 | 54 | 61 | 32 | 171 | 52 | 46 | 74 | 137 | 325 | 84 | 587 | 88 | 604 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SSW 16 | W 5 | SSW 12 | W 6 | W 5 | W 6 | W 6 | SSE 11 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 8 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | W 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 |
127 | 84 | 11 | 89 | 15 | 12 | 24 | 27 | 167 | 203 | 198 | 40 | 134 | 103 | 270 | 281 | 61 | 71 | 52 | 39 | 24 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 8 | — |
— | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 151 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 97 | 97 | 0 | 74 | 97 | 0 | 97 | 144 | 74 | 74 | 74 | 74 | 74 | 97 | 0 | 74 | 126 | 40 | 74 | 97 | 37 |
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.











