Donuts Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.67° N 117.25° W

Donuts Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 pm 18 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Donuts sea temperature is
21.3° C
1.2° 

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


Donuts surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, SW swell with 291 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 14s period with SW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Donuts this week:

The surf forecast for Donuts over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Donuts in the next 16 days are 0.8m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Thu 20th Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 14s
Best Surf 5AM (Thu 20th Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 14s
Most Powerful11AM (Wed 19th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, it’s Rusty.

Look, I’m going to be straight with you. The next couple of weeks at Donuts are looking pretty grim. We’ve got a long stretch of small, weak SW swell and hardly a decent wave on the cards. The water is sitting at 70°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t be freezing while you’re staring at flatness.

The first few days, from Tuesday the 18th through to the following Monday, are basically a write-off. Swell heights are hovering around 1ft to 3ft with periods of 13-16 seconds, but the energy is weak, with combined energy values sitting between 198 and 417. The wind is mostly cross-onshore, chopping up what little push there is. You’d be fighting for a crumbly, gutless wave. Not worth the paddle.

The one tiny spark in this whole dull run is Monday afternoon, the 24th of August. The wind goes glassy, and the swell ticks over to 2ft at 17 seconds from the SW. That’s the kind of calm, clean window that makes even a small day feel special. It’s still small, but if you’re desperate for a slide, that’s your moment. The energy is only moderate at 300, so don’t expect any power, but at least it’ll be smooth.

After that, it’s back to the same story. Light cross-onshore breezes, small swells, and very ordinary conditions through the end of August. There is a slight bump in size around the 29th and 30th, with waves pushing up to 3ft and the energy climbing to 578, but it’s still all SW groundswell with that onshore wind messing it up. It might look tempting on paper, but the conditions are likely to be lumpy and uninviting.

The first week of September doesn’t offer much hope either. The swell stays small, the wind stays less than ideal, and we’re still looking at poor surf. Honestly, if you’re not a masochist, you’re better off finding something else to do for the next two weeks. This is a classic case of a long, flat, blown-out run.

This whole stretch is a real test of patience. But that’s the nature of this spot sometimes. It’s inconsistent, and when it’s not working, it’s not working. The only thing I’d be watching is that glassy Monday afternoon window. If you can get out then, you might snag a couple of clean little runners. Otherwise, keep the board in the car and the wax in the cupboard.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Wed morning, min 20°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat morning, min 21°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Tue
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SW
17
0.8
SW
15
0.8
SW
16
0.8
SW
16
0.7
SW
15
0.7
SW
14
0.7
SW
14
0.6
SW
14
0.6
SW
13
0.6
SSW
13
0.5
SW
13
0.4
SW
18
0.6
SSW
15
0.7
SW
15
0.5
SW
19
0.7
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
14
0.6
WSW
18
0.5
SW
17
0.6
SW
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
144
258
291
291
217
211
211
153
140
114
84
109
142
220
171
154
233
209
137
222
Wind (km/h)
15
WNW
10
NW
10
WNW
10
SW
5
SSW
15
SSW
10
WSW
5
SSW
10
WSW
10
WSW
5
WNW
10
W
10
W
5
WNW
10
W
10
S
10
NW
10
W
10
WNW
10
NW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
on
glassy
on
on
on
on
cross
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
2:52AM0.87m
2:28PM1.40m
3:47PM1.37m
8:22AM0.98m
5:11PM1.40m
8:19AM1.05m
6:13PM1.49m
8:30AM1.11m
7:00PM1.59m
8:44AM1.17m
7:37PM1.68m
Low Tide
8:59PM0.46m
7:04AM0.73m
10:52PM0.43m
00:25AM0.32m
10:00AM0.97m
1:17AM0.21m
12:03PM0.93m
1:54AM0.11m
12:58PM0.84m
2:24AM0.03m
1:36PM0.73m
2:50AM-0.02m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:13
6:15
6:16
6:16
6:16
6:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:30
7:29
7:28
7:27
7:25
7:24
7:22
 mm
Temp °C
21
21
22
21
21
22
22
21
22
22
22
23
23
22
23
22
22
23
22
22
Feels °C
21
22
23
21
23
23
22
22
24
22
24
23
23
23
24
22
23
24
22
22
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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 Donuts Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Donuts provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Donuts can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Donuts 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 (Donuts) 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 Donuts 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.

Donuts is 6 km (4 miles) from the city of Coronado. If you plan a vacation in San Diego County, look for hotels and other accommodation in Coronado. Coronado has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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