Northern California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Doran Beach, Northern California. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sun, May 10: 5–6ft, 7s period, rated Very Good. Fun day ahead — expect 5-6ft waves on SW swell at 17s with 18mph NW winds.
Mon, May 11: 4–5ft, 11s period, rated Fair - Good. Dawn patrol is the move — 5-6ft on WNW swell at 8s with glassy conditions. Onshore flow builds through the day to 11mph, bringing conditions down to fair - good.
Tue, May 12: 4–5ft, 11s period, rated Fair. 4-5ft waves to start the day on WNW swell at 11s. The W wind builds to around 9mph by afternoon.
Wed, May 13: 3–4ft, 13s period, rated Fair. Consistent 3-4ft surf through the day on WNW swell at 11s with calm winds. Expect the wind to bump up to around 9mph by PM.
Thu, May 14: 4–5ft, 13s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 4-5ft on W swell at 11s with light NE winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 13mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
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.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Doran Beach is 5-6ft with a 7.35s swell period. Wind is NW at 18mph and conditions are rated Very Good. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Doran Beach is 5-6ft, produced by a 0.9ft SW primary swell at 16s, a 0.9ft SW secondary swell at 19s, a 0.5ft SW tertiary swell at 12s, a 6.2ft WNW wind swell swell at 7s. 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.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Doran Beach is Sunday from 5 PM to 8 PM with 7ft waves, a 7.35s swell period, and conditions rated Very Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Doran Beach works best with a SW swell and NE winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at Doran Beach. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
Doran Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. 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.
The prime season at Doran Beach is fall, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at Doran Beach include cold water, rip currents, sharks, strong winds, fog. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
