Donuts Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.67° N 117.25° W

Donuts Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 pm 14 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Donuts sea temperature is
22.6°C
2.6° 

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


Donuts surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 20 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 18s 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★+): Wednesday 16 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s period with SSW 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 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m 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 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 21) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Wed 16th Sep)2ft (0.6m) 18s
Best Surf 8AM (Sun 20th Sep)2.5ft (0.8m) 18s
Most Powerful 8AM (Mon 21st Sep)3ft (0.9m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what we’ve got.

To be straight with you, the next 16 days are looking pretty grim for a proper paddle. The swell is hanging around, but the quality just isn't there. The wave comment keeps calling it "poor surf conditions" right through. We're looking at a long stretch of nothing to get excited about.

The only break on the cards is Donuts. It’s a sheltered reef setup, best on a west swell, and it breaks inconsistently. Water temp is sitting at 73°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, so you won't need the thickest wetsuit.

From Monday the 14th of September onwards, the surf is just sad. We start with a west swell around 3ft, but the wind is cross-onshore and the combined swell energy is moderate at 388. It's just not clean. The period is a short 10 seconds, so nothing special there.

Tuesday the 15th drops off to 2ft, a bit of a south-west groundswell at 16 seconds, but the wind is messy and cross. The energy is moderate (260).

Wednesday the 16th has a tiny 1ft to 3ft west swell. The energy picks up a little to 401 at one point, but it’s still only rated as marginal or poor. Winds are light but still cross-onshore or onshore.

From Thursday the 17th right through the end of the month, we see a steady run of west or south-west swells between 2ft and 3ft. Periods vary from 12 to 19 seconds. Combined energy values climb into the moderate to strong range, hitting between 260 and 607. But here’s the kicker: every single entry says "poor surf conditions." The wind is always cross-onshore or onshore, never clean.

There is no standout day. No window of magic. The swell direction is always from the west or south-west, which is the optimum direction for Donuts, but the wind just won't cooperate. Even when the period gets long, like 19 seconds, the wind chops it up.

So what do we do? For a reef break like Donuts that needs clean conditions to shine, this is a write-off for paddle surfing. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, given the persistent onshore wind and consistent swell push.

Hang in there. It tends not to stay poor for long, but this time, it's a blank run. Forecasts can change, but as it stands, leave the board on the rack.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 19°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat afternoon, min 19°C on Thu afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Mon
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
W
10
0.5
SW
17
0.6
SW
16
0.4
SSW
20
0.5
SW
16
0.8
SW
17
0.7
SW
16
0.8
SW
16
0.8
SW
15
0.8
SW
15
0.8
SSW
14
0.6
SW
19
0.6
SW
19
0.5
SW
19
0.8
SW
18
0.8
SW
18
0.8
SW
18
0.8
SW
18
0.8
SW
18
0.8
SW
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
183
147
161
149
121
358
254
306
284
255
268
303
303
183
379
370
375
370
370
354
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
15
SSW
15
SSW
10
SW
5
SW
10
SW
10
W
5
NW
10
WNW
15
WNW
10
NW
15
WNW
20
WNW
10
NW
10
W
10
W
10
WNW
10
WSW
15
W
5
WSW
Wind State
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
cross-on
on
on
High Tide
00:05AM1.17m
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
Low Tide
6:08PM0.22m
5:25AM0.57m
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
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>
6:31
6:33
6:33
6:33
6:33
6:35
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:55
6:54
6:53
6:52
6:51
6:50
6:47
 mm
Temp °C
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
19
19
20
19
20
20
20
20
21
21
20
20
20
Feels °C
19
21
20
19
21
20
19
19
20
19
19
19
18
19
20
21
22
22
19
21
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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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