Doheney Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.46° N 117.68° W

Doheney Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 19 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Doheney Beach sea temperature is
22.0° C
2.3° 

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 19 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, SSW swell with 314 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m 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 0.8m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Wed 19th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 16s
Best Surf11PM (Wed 19th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 16s
Most Powerful 5PM (Wed 19th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright mates, Rusty here. Let’s break down the next couple of weeks.

The water at Doheney Beach is sitting at 72°, which is a solid 4° warmer than usual for this time of year. That’s a real treat – you’ll be in boardshorts or a thin spring suit.

Right now, we’re looking at a bit of a slow start. The first few days are pretty weak. Wednesday morning the 19th has a small 3-foot SSW swell with a long 16-second period, which is a nice groundswell, but the wind is cross-on from the SW at just 3 mph. The combined energy is a very weak 450, and the wave comment is marginal. It’s not going to be much to write home about.

Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st are even worse – onshore wind and poor surf conditions. We’re looking at a gap of several days where it’s not worth paddling out. The swell stays small and the wind is messy.

Things start to look a little more promising from Monday the 24th onward. The afternoon of the 24th shows a clean 2-foot SW swell with a 17-second period and a cross-offshore wind from the WNW at 9 mph. The combined energy is moderate (299), and the wave comment says “expect good surf conditions.” That’s the first real standout. The break is a reef, so that long-period groundswell will wrap in nicely, and the clean conditions will make for some fun, groomed lines.

Tuesday the 25th afternoon also looks clean with a similar 2-foot SW swell and cross-off wind. The energy is a bit lower (271), but still rideable and clean.

The real highlight, though, is shaping up for Saturday the 29th of August. The morning shows a 4-foot SSW swell with a 17-second period and combined energy of 787 – that’s strong wave energy. The wind is light and cross from the W at 6 mph, keeping the surface clean. The afternoon is similar with 4 feet and 788 energy. This is the best on offer in the whole window. The swell direction is SSW, which is just about perfect for this exposed reef. The water is still warm, and the long period will bring plenty of push. It’s not too big for intermediates, but at 4 feet, it’s still manageable for most. The only thing to keep in mind is that long-period swells can make for long lulls between sets.

Sunday the 30th has a bit more size (4 feet) but with onshore wind from the SSW, so it’ll be lumpy. The energy is still strong (672), but the wind is a dealbreaker for clean surfing.

The first week of September looks like it fades back into small, marginal surf. The 1st and 2nd have tiny swells and onshore or cross winds. Not much to get excited about.

So, overall, the first few days are a write-off. The best bet is definitely Saturday the 29th of August at Doheney Beach. Get on it for the clean, long-period SSW groundswell. The 24th and 25th afternoons are solid backup options if you’re itching for a session earlier.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Fri morning, min 20°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon morning, min 22°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
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
2
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
1
2
1
1
2
1
2
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)
0.9
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.6
SSW
13
0.6
SSW
13
0.5
SSW
13
0.4
SW
18
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
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
377
314
246
239
236
173
139
137
98
90
188
218
127
155
213
197
179
222
216
163
203
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
15
W
5
SSW
10
S
10
SSW
5
SSE
10
SSW
10
WSW
5
S
10
SW
10
WSW
5
S
10
SW
10
W
5
W
10
WSW
15
W
5
WSW
10
SW
15
WNW
10
WNW
Wind State
cross-on
cross
glassy
on
on
on
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
2:36PM1.83m
3:49PM1.80m
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
Low Tide
11:01PM0.75m
00:21AM0.65m
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
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:15
6:16
6:16
6:16
6:18
6:18
6:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:31
7:30
7:30
7:29
7:27
7:25
7:24
 mm
Temp °C
22
23
21
23
23
22
24
23
23
24
24
23
24
24
23
25
24
23
24
24
23
Feels °C
24
24
22
24
23
23
25
24
24
25
24
24
25
24
25
26
24
25
25
23
24
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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