
Surf Forecasts:
Donuts surf forecast from 8 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 11 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 19s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SW swell with 371 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 19s 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 (Aug 11) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 19s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 13s. 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 11PM. 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+) | 8AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 19s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 19s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Donuts over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let's talk about Donuts.
Honestly, it's a bit of a tough stretch ahead for Donuts. We've got a solid run of swell on the charts, but the wind is just not playing ball for most of it. The water is sitting at a balmy 74°, which is a massive 6° warmer than usual for this time of year – that's very unusual and feels like bathwater.
The first real chance to get a look at things is Friday afternoon, August 7th. We're looking at a small 2ft of swell from the SW, but it's a long-period groundswell at 19 seconds, giving it some decent grunt (combined energy of 286). The problem is the wind is onshore, so the surf quality is going to be poor. This pattern really sets the tone for the next week and a half.
Saturday the 8th through to the 15th of August sees the swell slowly building, peaking around 4ft on the afternoon of the 15th, with the combined energy hitting 591. That's moderate wave energy. The direction stays solidly SW, and the period hangs in that 14-18 second range, so there's plenty of groundswell power. But the wind is a killer. We're looking at a persistent cross-onshore breeze, mostly from the WNW and NW, which is going to keep the surface messy and choppy. It's just not going to be a clean paddle.
Things get a little more interesting around the 18th and 19th. The wind looks like it could swing more onshore or even lighten up. On Tuesday morning, August 18th, we have 3ft of SW swell with a 16-second period (combined energy of 395) and the wind is onshore. Then on Wednesday morning, August 19th, the wind is a light cross-onshore breeze from the SW, which is a bit better. Still, with the swell around 3ft and a 15-second period, it's a long-period groundswell that can be a bit tricky at a reef like this, needing the right tide.
The 20th of August offers a glimmer. The Thursday afternoon session has a 3ft SW swell, 15-second period (combined energy of 363), and the wind is onshore. That's the best we're going to see with the wind actually cooperating a little.
The last few days of the outlook, into the 21st and 22nd, are more of the same: small SW groundswells with cross-onshore or onshore winds. There's a rain shower on the Friday morning that could add a bit of fresh water to the mix.
Look, the swell is there, but the wind is just not giving us a clean window. For a sheltered reef like Donuts, you need that offshore or glassy wind to make it shine, and we're just not getting it. The setup here looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer for most of this forecast. It's a frustrating run. Keep an eye on the charts, because it can't stay this way forever.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat morning, min 21°C on Fri afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Mon afternoon, min 20°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | ||||||||||||||
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 19 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 20 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
173 | 309 | 230 | 261 | 367 | 275 | 217 | 211 | 183 | 134 | 142 | 164 | 197 | 249 | 179 | 254 | 251 | 245 | 239 | 273 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 4:55PM1.67m | 7:39AM1.00m | 6:04PM1.80m | 8:19AM1.11m | 7:03PM1.93m | 8:53AM1.21m | 7:55PM2.03m | 9:27AM1.31m | 8:43PM2.07m | 10:01AM1.40m | 9:28PM2.03m | 10:34AM1.47m | 10:12PM1.92m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:00AM0.02m | 11:34AM0.83m | 1:51AM-0.16m | 12:50PM0.74m | 2:36AM-0.29m | 1:48PM0.62m | 3:16AM-0.35m | 2:39PM0.50m | 3:53AM-0.35m | 3:26PM0.40m | 4:28AM-0.29m | 4:13PM0.34m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | |
7:42 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
Feels °C | 22 | 21 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
103 | 309 | 230 | 261 | 367 | 275 | 217 | 211 | 183 | 118 | 142 | 164 | 197 | 249 | 179 | 254 | 251 | 245 | 239 | 273 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | W 5 | WNW 5 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 18 | WSW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 13 | SSW 10 | S 11 | S 11 | SW 20 |
173 | 92 | 69 | 90 | 11 | 8 | 61 | 19 | 63 | 134 | 133 | 118 | 120 | 48 | 46 | 44 | 37 | 59 | 57 | 97 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | W 4 | S 9 | SW 23 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 21 | W 4 | W 4 | SW 16 | W 8 | W 7 | SSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 11 | WNW 9 | SW 12 | W 8 | S 10 |
6 | 3 | 6 | 20 | 69 | 31 | 72 | 3 | 1 | 40 | 4 | 4 | 57 | 45 | 44 | 40 | 16 | 39 | 12 | 29 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 4 | — | WNW 4 | W 4 | — | — | WNW 5 | — | — | W 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
4 | — | 3 | 6 | — | — | 9 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 166 | 48 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 166 | 1 | 21 | 166 | 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.











