
Surf Forecasts:
Donuts surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 15s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 26 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 19s period, SW swell with 945 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 11s. 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 19s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 26) at 5AM. 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 (Mon 20th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Donuts over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer for the next couple of weeks.
First off, I gotta be straight with you – it’s a rough stretch. The water is sitting at a very warm 71°F, which is a solid 4°F warmer than normal for this time of year. That’s a notable anomaly, but it doesn’t do much for the waves.
The whole 16-day window is a bit of a write-off. We’re looking at a long, frustrating gap of nothing but poor surf conditions and marginal calls. The first real chance to even think about a paddle comes up around Wednesday morning, July 22nd, and even that’s a stretch. The swell is only 3ft from the SW with a period of 14 seconds, but the wind is cross-onshore, making it messy. The combined energy is weak (439). It’s a marginal call at best.
The only spot in the game is Donuts (reef, intermediate, inconsistent). And honestly, it’s inconsistent and rarely breaks, which is a shame because it’s the only shelter we have from the west swell direction. The wind is mostly offshore or light, but the swell quality is just terrible. We see a tiny blip of energy on Sunday morning, July 26th, with a 3ft SW swell and a very long 19-second period. The combined energy registers a moderate 1004, but the forecast still calls it marginal. That long period might make it a bit straight at the reef, but it’s the best we’ll see. The wind is light offshore, so it’ll be glassy.
For the rest of the run, it’s a dead zone. The swell stays small, and the period is often short. Late in the run, around Saturday morning, August 1st, the swell bumps up to 6ft from the SSW, but that’s coupled with a short 13-second period and cross-onshore winds. It’s too big for beginners and the wind will ruin it. The combined energy is still moderate (941), but it’s just not worth it.
Honestly, if you’ve got a kite, this might be more your scene than a paddle. The wind is steady and the surf is poor. For a surfer, there’s nothing to get excited about. It’s a blank run, and that’s just how it goes sometimes around here. Forecasts can change, but right now, I’d hang up the board for a bit.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Mon afternoon, min 20°C on Sun afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Wed afternoon, min 20°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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 17 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 24 | SSW 13 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 19 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
482 | 330 | 284 | 306 | 492 | 462 | 499 | 492 | 407 | 419 | 395 | 555 | 447 | 420 | 541 | 484 | 647 | 548 | 513 | 834 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | glassy | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 2:04PM1.43m | 1:51AM1.14m | 2:54PM1.44m | 3:15AM0.93m | 3:48PM1.45m | 5:17AM0.84m | 4:46PM1.47m | 7:20AM0.88m | 5:42PM1.51m | 8:22AM0.96m | 6:32PM1.57m | 8:54AM1.02m | 7:15PM1.64m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:22PM0.55m | 8:03AM0.37m | 9:52PM0.52m | 8:40AM0.55m | 11:33PM0.42m | 9:27AM0.71m | 00:50AM0.28m | 10:39AM0.81m | 1:41AM0.15m | 11:57AM0.85m | 2:19AM0.05m | 12:56PM0.83m | 2:52AM-0.03m | |||||||
— | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | |
7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
Feels °C | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 19 |
284 | 263 | 254 | 206 | 492 | 462 | 499 | 492 | 407 | 419 | 395 | 555 | 447 | 420 | 250 | 484 | 359 | 378 | 299 | 834 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | WNW 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | W 6 | SW 21 | W 7 | SW 21 | SSW 12 |
482 | 330 | 284 | 306 | 98 | 62 | 61 | 38 | 17 | 24 | 43 | 62 | 52 | 62 | 74 | 52 | 647 | 59 | 513 | 239 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | SW 14 | W 14 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WSW 21 | SW 8 | SW 7 | S 12 | SW 6 | SW 26 | SW 26 | SW 24 | SW 24 | W 6 | SW 21 | W 7 | W 6 |
18 | 10 | 5 | 49 | 36 | 5 | 9 | 44 | 15 | 14 | 103 | 6 | 105 | 105 | 541 | 271 | 45 | 548 | 43 | 38 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 8 | 4 | — | — | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 0 | 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










