Donuts Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.67° N 117.25° W

Donuts Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 pm 29 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Donuts sea temperature is
22.8° C
3.1° 

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


Donuts surf forecast from 30 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 30 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 30 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 14s period, SSW swell with 697 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 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 Thursday (Jul 30) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Donuts in the next 16 days are 1.3m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 30) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Thu 30th Jul)3.5ft (1.1m) 16s
Best Surf 2AM (Thu 30th Jul)3.5ft (1.1m) 16s
Most Powerful 2PM (Thu 30th Jul)4.5ft (1.3m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, this is Rusty, and I’ve got a real honest look at what’s coming up for Donuts over the next 16 days.

First up, I’ve got to be straight with you – the outlook for Donuts is pretty grim right through the whole period. The forecast shows a long stretch of small, weak swell, mostly from the SW to SSW, with wave heights barely cracking 3 ft to 4 ft. The combined energy of all swells is moderate, hitting 758 (moderate) on the 29th, but it quickly drops off to weak energy, with values like 642, 426, and then down to two-digit and low three-digit numbers for most of the run. The swell period is a mixed bag, with some longer-period groundswell showing up, like 16 seconds on the 29th and even 19 seconds early on the 7th of August, but the poor surf quality just doesn’t let up.

The winds are a real letdown. Most days are cross-on, with a light breeze from the SW or WSW – that’s onshore, ripping the surface up. The water temperature is a standout at 73°F, which is a massive 6°F warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s very unusual. But warm water doesn’t fix the mess.

The only flicker of hope is a couple of days where the wind goes offshore, like Wednesday afternoon July 29th with a 9 mph W wind, and Thursday morning July 30th with a 6 mph WNW wind, and again on the 7th and 8th of August. The swell is small, though – around 2 ft to 4 ft – and the period is long (15-19 seconds), which is a good sign for wave shape, but at a reef break like Donuts, it might be a bit too straight for a punchy ride. Donuts is inconsistent, so even when it’s working, you’re waiting around. When it does line up, the wind is offshore, meaning clean glassy faces, but the waves are small and the energy is marginal.

If you’re a beginner, the swell is mostly under 5 ft, so it’s not too big, but the quality is so poor it’s not worth the effort. For experts, the long period could offer a fast, hollow section if the tide lines up, but it’s a gamble. Honestly, the setup looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer on many of these days, especially the afternoons with cross-on breeze.

There’s a real gap here – the first week is a write-off, and the second week doesn’t improve. The forecast is reliable for the near term, and it’s just not good. The best on offer is probably the morning of July 30th, with 4 ft of SW swell, a 15-second period, and a light offshore breeze. It’s a one-star out of ten, but it’s the best of a bad bunch. The crowds at Donuts can be a problem sometimes, but with this lack of quality, you’ll likely have it to yourself. Donuts is a reef, so it needs a specific swell direction, and the optimum is W, but the forecast is SW to SSW, which is off its game.

After that, it’s a dry spell until the 7th of August, where the long-period groundswell (19 seconds) from the SSW pops up, but the wave height is only 2 ft, and the combined energy is 386 (moderate). The wind is offshore again, but it’s a gentle breeze, and the surf conditions are still reported as poor. The period is very long, so it’s risky for the reef – it might break too straight.

Overall, I’d say save your energy. The 16-day window is a blank run for quality surf. It’s normal for a spot like this, which is inconsistent, to have a lean spell. Forecasts can change, but for now, it’s a sit-and-wait situation.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat morning, min 19°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat afternoon, min 20°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light.

Wed
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
2
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
SW
16
1.1
SW
16
1.1
SW
15
1.3
SSW
14
1.3
SSW
14
1.2
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
13
0.7
SW
14
0.8
SW
14
0.7
SW
13
0.7
SW
13
0.6
SW
13
0.9
W
10
0.6
SW
13
0.6
SW
13
0.6
SW
12
0.4
SW
16
0.5
SW
15
0.4
WSW
15
0.6
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
573
551
523
697
631
569
229
189
221
180
173
113
148
101
100
102
72
113
86
167
Wind (km/h)
15
W
5
WSW
10
WNW
10
W
5
W
10
WNW
15
WNW
5
WNW
10
W
10
WSW
5
WSW
15
SSW
10
WSW
10
SW
10
WSW
10
WSW
5
WSW
10
SW
10
SW
5
SSW
Wind State
on
glassy
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
9:33PM1.80m
10:55AM1.24m
10:05PM1.76m
11:23AM1.29m
10:37PM1.68m
11:51AM1.34m
11:12PM1.55m
12:20PM1.39m
11:52PM1.37m
12:54PM1.44m
00:42AM1.16m
1:35PM1.48m
2:00AM0.95m
Low Tide
3:30PM0.61m
4:45AM-0.13m
4:07PM0.58m
5:12AM-0.09m
4:44PM0.55m
5:38AM-0.02m
5:26PM0.54m
6:03AM0.09m
6:14PM0.53m
6:28AM0.23m
7:14PM0.52m
6:54AM0.38m
8:34PM0.49m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:01
6:01
6:01
6:03
6:03
6:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:49
7:49
7:47
7:46
7:45
7:45
7:44
 mm
Temp °C
20
20
21
21
20
22
22
22
23
22
22
21
22
21
21
22
21
22
22
21
Feels °C
20
21
22
21
21
22
22
23
24
22
23
22
22
22
22
23
22
22
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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