Surf Forecasts:
Donuts surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 12s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 17s period, SW swell with 671 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 17s period with WSW 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Donuts in the next 16 days are 1.1m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Donuts over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m looking at the next couple of weeks. Honestly, for the first few days, it’s a bit of a write-off. We’ve got some swell, but the wind is all wrong, and the quality just isn’t there. The good news is that things start to look a little more promising as we head into the second week, especially around the end of the month and into early September.
Let’s start with the only spot on the menu, Donuts, a sheltered reef break that’s inconsistent and can get a few people out there sometimes. The water temperature is 71°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year.
Sunday, August 23rd kicks off with a tiny 2 ft SW groundswell, but that cross-on wind from the WNW is ruining it. The combined energy is weak at 328. It’s just choppy and poor. That trend holds through the first week. We see a little pulse of S swell on Wednesday and Thursday, August 26th and 27th, with heights around 4 ft to 4 ft and a period of 11-12 seconds, but the wind is cross-shore, keeping things messy. The energy picks up a bit, hitting 643 (moderate), but it’s still not worth paddling out for.
We then hit a dry spell from the end of August into the first days of September. It’s all marginal at best. The wind is mostly light and onshore, and the swell is small and weak. It’s a frustrating stretch.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. On Friday, September 4th, we start to see a real change. The swell holds steady around 4 ft to 4 ft from the SW, with a solid 16-second period. The combined energy jumps into the strong range, hitting 1071. The wind is light and variable, mostly cross-on, but we’re on the edge of something good. It’s still just marginal, but you can feel the potential.
The real standout, the one to circle on your calendar, is Saturday, September 5th and Sunday, September 6th. Saturday morning sees a 4 ft SW swell with a 16-second period, and the energy is pumping at 1252. The wind is light from the SW, which is cross-on, but it’s light. Sunday the 6th pushes the swell up to 5 ft to 6 ft from the SSW, with a 14-second period and the energy maxing out at 1382. The wind is light from the WSW, mostly onshore, but it’s so light you might get some clean ones. This is the best of the run. It’s a bit big for beginners at 6 ft, and the long period (14-16 seconds) means it’s a proper groundswell, so expect longer waits between sets. Donuts being a reef, this long-period swell should actually line up nicely. It’s not perfect, but it’s the best we’ve got.
After that, Monday the 7th sees the swell hold at 6 ft to 6 ft, but the wind picks up to a moderate 12 mph cross-onshore, and the quality drops off again. The energy is still strong at 1479, but it’s going to be choppy.
So, to wrap it up: the first week is a bust. The second week, especially Saturday, September 5th and Sunday, September 6th, is your best shot. It’s not a classic, but it’s as good as it gets in this stretch.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue morning, min 22°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Fri morning, min 21°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 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
171 | 154 | 233 | 252 | 135 | 222 | 216 | 225 | 339 | 336 | 411 | 470 | 343 | 148 | 208 | 216 | 165 | 663 | 589 | 653 | 612 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 8:30AM1.11m | 7:00PM1.59m | 8:44AM1.17m | 7:37PM1.68m | 9:02AM1.23m | 8:11PM1.75m | 9:22AM1.30m | 8:43PM1.78m | 9:44AM1.37m | 9:15PM1.77m | 10:07AM1.45m | 9:49PM1.71m | 10:32AM1.52m | 10:24PM1.61m | |||||||
Low Tide | 12:58PM0.84m | 2:24AM0.03m | 1:36PM0.73m | 2:50AM-0.02m | 2:10PM0.63m | 3:15AM-0.06m | 2:44PM0.54m | 3:40AM-0.06m | 3:18PM0.45m | 4:04AM-0.04m | 3:54PM0.38m | 4:28AM0.02m | 4:32PM0.33m | 4:52AM0.13m | |||||||
6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
— | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:19 | — | — | 7:16 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Feels °C | 24 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SW 17 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
43 | 154 | 233 | 252 | 111 | 222 | 137 | 225 | 339 | 336 | 411 | 470 | 343 | 148 | 208 | 110 | 82 | 663 | 589 | 653 | 612 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SW 18 | W 5 | SSW 14 | SW 17 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | SW 15 | W 7 | SSW 11 | SW 14 | SW 16 | WNW 8 | S 8 | S 8 | WNW 9 | W 9 |
114 | 154 | 19 | 120 | 135 | 156 | 216 | 208 | 203 | 48 | 48 | 171 | 39 | 143 | 116 | 216 | 38 | 50 | 34 | 88 | 83 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | WNW 10 | SW 18 | W 6 | W 6 | WNW 5 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 16 | SW 15 | W 7 | SW 15 | W 8 | SW 18 | WNW 8 | SW 16 | W 8 | W 8 | S 8 | SSW 8 |
171 | 9 | 155 | 17 | 17 | 9 | 17 | 18 | 27 | 245 | 188 | 23 | 104 | 45 | 150 | 38 | 165 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 22 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 281 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 48 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 139 | 1 | 1 |
Best forecast wave conditions in San Diego County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











