Surf Forecasts:
Donuts surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 17s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 21 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 17s period, SW swell with 476 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 15 Sep, 11PM (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 Tuesday (Sep 15) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 9s. 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 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 21) at 8AM. 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+) | 11PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Mon 21st Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Donuts over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, Rusty here. Let's break down what's on the table for Donuts.
Honestly, this 16-day look is a bit of a struggle. Donuts is a sheltered reef that's known for being inconsistent, and for the best part of a week and a half, the wind and swell aren't lining up. The water's kicking off at a very unusual 73°F, a good 5°F warmer than you'd expect for this time of year.
Starting Tuesday the 15th, we've got a long-period groundswell from the SW at 2ft with a 16-second period, but a 9 mph cross-onshore wind messes it up. The energy is weak (258) and it's poor. This same story runs through the rest of the week and into the next. Swell stays tiny, mostly 2ft to 3ft, but the wind is always on it from the wrong direction. The energy gets into a moderate range by the 18th (480), but it's just choppy.
Sunday the 20th morning is the first flicker of hope. A 3ft SW groundswell with an 18-second period and light onshore wind gives us the first "marginal" call of the run, with the combined energy hitting 504. It's not perfect, but it's a start. The real standout, though, looks like Monday the 21st morning. We're looking at a 3ft SW swell, a 17-second period, and the lightest cross-onshore breeze just putting small ripples on the water. That's your window. The combined energy maxes out at 603.
For an inconsistent reef, that Monday morning is your best bet. Get it if you can, because after that it's back to onshore junk and poor conditions for the rest of the outlook.
Keep your expectations low for this one. If you're not on it that Monday morning, you're probably not missing much.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 19°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat afternoon, min 19°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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 | 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 | 161 | 149 | 121 | 358 | 254 | 371 | 284 | 255 | 268 | 303 | 303 | 183 | 379 | 370 | 375 | 370 | 370 | 354 | 470 | 465 | 437 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on |
High Tide | 11:44AM1.58m | 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 | |||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 6:31 | — | — | 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 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
Feels °C | 19 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | W 5 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 74 | 76 | 51 | 358 | 254 | 371 | 284 | 255 | 268 | 162 | 144 | 20 | 379 | 370 | 375 | 77 | 77 | 92 | 77 | 465 | 437 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 8 | W 6 | W 5 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | W 7 | W 6 |
| kJ | 161 | 121 | 121 | 20 | 13 | 9 | 116 | 162 | 153 | 303 | 303 | 116 | 26 | 38 | 38 | 370 | 370 | 354 | 470 | 57 | 28 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SSW 20 | SW 18 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | W 12 | S 8 | W 6 | W 5 | S 8 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 |
| kJ | 23 | 149 | 83 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 25 | 12 | 6 | 15 | 5 | 183 | 114 | 82 | 73 | 57 | 57 | 58 | 56 | 35 | 33 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 12 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 47 | — | — | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 21 | 48 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 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.
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