Surf Forecasts:
Donuts surf forecast from 16 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 20 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s period, SW swell with 516 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 16 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 16s 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 Wednesday (Sep 16) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Donuts in the next 16 days are 0.9m 18s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 20) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Sun 20th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Donuts over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s be straight with you. The next couple of weeks are looking pretty bleak. We’ve got a long stretch of weak, short-period swell with winds that are mostly cross-onshore or straight onshore. It’s the kind of run where you’re better off doing something else.
The first real chance of anything decent doesn’t show up until the 30th of September. That’s more than a week out. Before that, we’re looking at ankle-biters, maybe knee-high on a good push, but it’s all choppy and weak. The energy is low, mostly in the 300-600 range. It’s not going to be fun.
Then, on the 30th, we finally see a bump. The swell rises to about 1.0m, coming from the south, with a period of 14 seconds. The energy jumps into the 700s, which is a real step up. Still, it’s not going to be clean. The wind is light cross-onshore, which will keep things a little lumpy, but it’s the best we’ve got.
Donuts is the only spot on the menu. It’s a sheltered reef that’s inconsistent and rarely breaks. That’s a key point. Even with the bump, you’re going to have to be patient and pick off sets. The south swell direction is right in its wheelhouse, so that’s a big plus.
Water temp is sitting around 23°, which is a couple of degrees warmer than usual for this time of year. Not a huge deal, but you might not need the thickest wetsuit.
So, the plan. The first 10 days are a write-off. Around the 30th, there’s a glimmer of hope, but it’s not a guarantee. The period is decent, but the winds are just average. If you’re keen, you might find some fun ones, but it’s not a day to call in sick for.
Forecasts can change. This run can’t stay this poor forever. When it finally turns, Donuts will be the place.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 19°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 19°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 20 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 149 | 121 | 358 | 254 | 371 | 284 | 255 | 268 | 303 | 303 | 183 | 379 | 370 | 375 | 370 | 516 | 429 | 470 | 459 | 437 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 1:04AM0.99m | 12:13PM1.48m | 2:51AM0.87m | 12:52PM1.38m | 2:26PM1.29m | 8:05AM1.06m | 4:31PM1.30m | 7:41AM1.13m | 5:44PM1.39m | 7:46AM1.20m | 6:33PM1.50m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 7:00PM0.30m | 5:37AM0.72m | 8:09PM0.38m | 5:21AM0.84m | 9:53PM0.41m | 11:38PM0.35m | 10:07AM1.05m | 00:35AM0.26m | 12:03PM0.95m | 1:11AM0.17m | 12:46PM0.81m | 1:40AM0.10m | ||||||||
 |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  |  | | | |
 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — |
 | 6:54 | — | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:51 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 8 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 6 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 74 | 51 | 358 | 254 | 371 | 284 | 255 | 268 | 162 | 144 | 116 | 379 | 370 | 375 | 370 | 516 | 66 | 470 | 459 | 437 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 8 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 19 | SW 19 | W 5 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 17 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 |
| kJ | 121 | 121 | 20 | 10 | 5 | 116 | 162 | 153 | 303 | 303 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 36 | 38 | 429 | 77 | 77 | 44 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 20 | SW 18 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | W 12 | S 8 | W 4 | W 5 | S 7 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 11 |
| kJ | 149 | 83 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 25 | 12 | 3 | 14 | 4 | 183 | 114 | 82 | 73 | 57 | 57 | 58 | 56 | 55 | 33 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 12 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 44 | — | — | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 48 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 206 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
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.
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