Surf Forecasts:
Donuts surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 15s 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, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 15s 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 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 15s 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 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 cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Donuts over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s switch to feet and Fahrenheit for you imperial folks.
The forecast for the next 16 days is a tough one to write. There’s a big gap of quiet water ahead, and honestly, there’s no standout session to get hyped about. The first real chance of anything worth a paddle is a full week away, and even that’s a gamble.
The only spot in the frame is Donuts. It’s a sheltered reef break for intermediate surfers, but it’s inconsistent and only really works when the swell comes from the west. Water temp is about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.
From Wednesday the 19th of August through the end of the month, it’s a total washout. Waves are tiny, 1ft to 3ft, with the wind mostly onshore or cross-onshore. The swell energy is weak to moderate (readings between 193 and 602), but the quality is just poor. The period on that groundswell is long—16 to 19 seconds—which normally means power, but at a beach break it tends to straighten out, and with the wind wrong, it’s a mess. Crowds are possible here, but I doubt anyone will be out.
We get a faint pulse on Tuesday the 1st of September. The morning shows a 4ft swell from the west with a short period of only 8 seconds. The energy is moderate (414), and it’s cross-onshore with a light breeze, so it’s not completely blown out. The wave comment calls it marginal. That’s the best of a bad bunch, but it’s still a long way from good. The light wind might give you a few clean-ish waves, but that short period means they’ll be weak and mushy. It’s for the patient and the desperate.
After that, we’re back to poor conditions for the rest of the window. No surf worth chasing, no big swell, and the wind just won’t play ball. It’s a dry spell, and for this area, that’s pretty normal. Don’t stress—forecasts change, and the ocean will wake up again.
Stay tuned. This is Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 22°C on Wed morning, min 21°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat morning, min 21°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 | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
291 | 291 | 217 | 211 | 211 | 153 | 142 | 114 | 84 | 109 | 142 | 220 | 173 | 154 | 233 | 252 | 137 | 222 | 216 | 206 | 203 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 9:02AM1.23m | 8:11PM1.75m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 2:10PM0.63m | 3:15AM-0.06m | |||||||||
6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | |
— | 7:29 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:27 | — | — | 7:25 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 22 | 22 |
Feels °C | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 24 | 21 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | W 7 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SSW 14 | W 6 | WNW 6 | SW 16 | WNW 6 |
77 | 61 | 217 | 211 | 211 | 153 | 142 | 114 | 84 | 51 | 142 | 220 | 114 | 154 | 233 | 252 | 131 | 43 | 39 | 206 | 58 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 18 | W 6 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 13 | SW 16 |
291 | 291 | 38 | 28 | 19 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 7 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 19 | 18 | 155 | 22 | 137 | 222 | 216 | 96 | 203 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 20 | S 8 | W 14 | SW 19 | W 13 | WNW 12 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 18 | SW 12 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | WNW 10 | SSW 14 | S 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 18 | SSW 13 |
16 | 1 | 14 | 57 | 13 | 27 | 82 | 73 | 50 | 109 | 37 | 58 | 173 | 152 | 9 | 120 | 6 | 118 | 135 | 24 | 90 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 5 | — | W 6 | — | — | WNW 6 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 20 | — | 23 | — | — | 43 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 281 | 0 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 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.











