Swell Intel

Doran Beach Surf Forecast, Northern California

Northern California

Salmon Creek2-3ftDillon Beach1-2+ftSecrets1-2ft
Doran Beach surf spot

Current Conditions

Fair
Wave Height
2-3ft
knee to waist high
Swell Period
14.45s
Wind
7mph
SW / Gusts 11mph
Conditions
Fair
Active Swells
Primary
1.7ft @ 9sNW
Secondary
1.0ft @ 12sSSW
Tertiary
1.0ft @ 14sWNW

Daily Forecast

3 of 5 days
Wed, Apr 12-3ft
Poor

Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on NW swell at 9s with calm winds. The SW wind kicks in by afternoon — 7mph and poor by then.

6am9am12pm3pm
8s NW|3-7mph SW
Thu, Apr 25-6ft
Good

The sweet spot is around midday — 4-5ft waves, 7mph from the NNW, good conditions. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning.

6am9am12pm3pm
9s WNW|7-17mph NNW
Fri, Apr 38-9ft
Very Good

Get out early for the best of it — 8-9ft waves on WNW swell at 12s and light N winds. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.

6am9am12pm3pm
12s WNW|3-6mph NNE
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Sun
3ft
Swell building Sun, Apr 5Fair

17s period — conditions are improving beyond your forecast

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Forecast Charts

Doran Beach Surf Spot Guide

Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Beginner
Crowd
Light
Best Swell
SW
Best Wind
NE
Season
Fall

Doran Beach is a sheltered Northern California beach break tucked inside Bodega Bay, where the southwest-facing shoreline picks up long-period northwest and southwest swells that wrap into the bay and produce mellow, forgiving waves ideal for beginners and longboarders. The sandy bottom and typically smaller surf make it one of the more approachable spots on the Northern California coast, offering a gentler introduction to the often powerful swells of the region. Its relative seclusion compared to more well-known Sonoma County breaks means crowds are rarely an issue, making it a pleasant option when nearby exposed breaks are too gnarly.

Cold waterRip currentsSharksStrong windsFog

Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.

Doran Beach Surf Forecast FAQ

What is the current surf forecast for Doran Beach?
The current wave height at Doran Beach is 2-3ft with a 14.45s swell period. Wind is SW at 7mph. Conditions are rated Fair.
How accurate is the Doran Beach surf forecast?
Our Doran Beach forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends.
What is the breaking wave height at Doran Beach?
The current breaking wave height at Doran Beach is 2-3ft, produced by a 1.7ft NW primary swell at 9s, a 1ft SSW secondary swell at 12s, a 1ft WNW tertiary swell at 14s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
When is the best time to surf Doran Beach?
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Doran Beach is Thursday from 8 AM to 11 AM with 5ft waves, a 10.95s swell period, and conditions rated Very Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.