
Surf Forecasts:
Anna Maria Island surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 3s period, WNW swell with 4 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Anna Maria Island this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Anna Maria Island in the next 16 days are 0.4m 3s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Sun 13th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 3s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Anna Maria Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it. No beating around the bush – this is a tough stretch for the Anna Maria Island area. We’ve got a solid 16-day window to look at, but honestly, it starts with a whole lot of nothing and doesn't really get going.
The first record we see is for Friday, September 11th, and that's a total dud with zero energy. In fact, the first flicker of any wave action doesn't show up until Saturday afternoon, September 12th, with a tiny 0.7ft south swell – but that’s more of a ripple than a wave. You're looking at a real dry spell here. For the majority of the forecast, from September 11th all the way through to the morning of September 19th, the combined wave energy is a flat zero. That’s nearly eight days with absolutely no swell to speak of. It’s going to be a tough time to find a wave.
Then, finally, on Saturday morning, September 19th, we see something worth mentioning. Anna Maria Island picks up a tiny 0.7ft swell from the south, with a period of 4 seconds. That is a weak, short-period windswell with combined energy of just 1 (weak energy). The wind is offshore from the ESE at 12 mph, which will keep things clean. For a beginner spot that is inconsistent, this might be a session for the absolute longboard and a lot of patience. The water temperature is about 88°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year – it’s like bathwater out there, so you won’t need a wetsuit.
From the afternoon of the 19th, it goes quiet again until we see a few token waves pop up in the last few days of the month. On Wednesday, September 23rd, there's a 0.3ft northwest swell in the morning, and then on Thursday, September 25th, a 0.3ft south swell with a 10-second period appears in the afternoon. That longer period (groundswell potential) gives it a bit more shape, but at 0.3ft there's barely enough water to push in. We see another similar one on Friday, September 25th, in the afternoon with a 6-second period and combined energy of 3 (weak energy), and the wind goes glassy – that's the best window you'll get for a clean, if tiny, wave.
The highlight for the whole 16 days? It's got to be that Friday afternoon, September 25th, with the 0.7ft south swell and glassy conditions. It's not a stand-out for size or power – it's tiny – but with the wind dropping to glassy, it will be the cleanest the ocean looks all period. For a break that is exposed to a WSW optimum swell direction, this south swell isn't ideal, but beggars can't be choosers. Don't get your hopes up for anything rideable on a proper board; this is strictly a foiling or small bodyboard sort of deal.
Overall, this is a blank run. It’s not unusual for the area to have these quiet spells in the post-summer lull. The only real note is that the swell energy is either non-existent or weak, so you’re chasing micro-waves. The forecast can always change, but for now, leave the surfboards in the car and maybe bring a kite if the wind picks up, because on the days with a 12-18 mph cross-shore, it’s going to look more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
– Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 30mm), heaviest during Sat morning. Warm (max 31°C on Sun afternoon, min 28°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 31°C on Tue afternoon, min 25°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue afternoon, fresh winds from the ENE by Wed night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 3 | SSW 3 | — | S 3 | — | — | NW 3 | NW 3 | — | — | N 2 | — | — | E 3 | ENE 3 | NE 3 | ENE 4 | ENE 3 | N 5 | E 3 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | off | cross-off | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-on | off | off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | off |
High Tide | 1:00AM0.64m | 1:32PM0.68m | 1:16AM0.69m | 2:21PM0.62m | 1:35AM0.73m | 3:14PM0.56m | 1:59AM0.76m | 4:13PM0.51m | 2:28AM0.77m | 5:30PM0.47m | 3:03AM0.76m | 3:48AM0.74m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:00PM0.19m | 7:03AM0.17m | 7:21PM0.27m | 7:47AM0.12m | 7:40PM0.33m | 8:32AM0.10m | 7:57PM0.38m | 9:20AM0.09m | 8:10PM0.41m | 10:14AM0.11m | 8:13PM0.44m | 11:21AM0.13m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | |
7:39 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:34 | — | — | 7:32 | — | |
mm | 2 | 4 | 6 | — | 5 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 3 | — | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 8 |
Temp °C | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 30 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 32 | 33 | 33 | 34 | 32 | 33 | 35 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 34 | 31 | 34 | 33 | 27 | 28 | 23 | 24 | 27 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 5 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 3 | SSW 3 | — | SSW 3 | — | — | NW 3 | NW 3 | — | — | N 2 | — | — | E 3 | ENE 3 | NE 3 | ENE 4 | ENE 3 | — | E 3 |
2 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 5 | 7 | 5 | 16 | 6 | — | 5 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1693 | 254 | 283 | 1693 | 244 | 227 | 335 | 223 | 228 | 932 | 322 | 732 | 732 | 1459 | 1209 | 732 | 601 | 636 | 223 | 223 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gulf Coast, Florida | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Anna Maria Island Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Anna Maria Island provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Anna Maria Island can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Anna Maria Island 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 (Anna Maria Island) 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 Anna Maria Island 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.
Anna Maria Island is 17 km (11 miles) from Bradenton. If you plan a vacation in Gulf Coast, Florida, look for hotels and other accommodation in Bradenton. Bradenton has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










