Surf Forecasts:
Galveston surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 4s period, SSW swell with 36 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Galveston this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Galveston in the next 16 days are 0.9m 4s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (CDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 4s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Galveston over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, let’s chew the fat on what’s coming for the next couple of weeks here in Galveston.
I’m not gonna sugarcoat it – the first week is a washout. The first time you might even see a wave worth looking at is around Thursday the 27th of August. Before that, we’ve got a solid seven days of nothing. The swell is tiny, from a foot to two feet, coming out of the south with a period of just 4 seconds. It’s just sloppy, onshore chop. Not worth getting your wetsuit wet.
We finally get a small pulse on Thursday the 27th in the morning. The swell picks up to about 3 feet from the SSW, but the period is still a weak 5 seconds. The combined energy is a low 62. The real win here is the wind – light from the west and clean, going cross-off. This will make the surface glassy. You’re looking at a knee-high, weak wave. If you’re on a log, you might get a little boggy ride. It’s the only half-decent moment in the whole run, but it ain't a classic.
After that, the wind swings around and messes things up again. There’s a bump of energy from the east on September 2nd, but it comes with thunderstorms and heavy winds. Not worth it.
For the few of you who are keen, Thursday morning the 27th is your best bet. You’ll have the place to yourselves because nobody else is expecting anything.
Keep the chin up.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Tue morning, min 28°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Tue morning, fresh winds from the SSW by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Fri morning, min 26°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Fri afternoon, light winds from the WSW by Sat morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | S 4 | SSE 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | SSW 4 | S 5 | S 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | S 5 | SSW 5 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 21 | 9 | 9 | 15 | 10 | 9 | 16 | 12 | 13 | 18 | 10 | 10 | 19 | 12 | 11 | 33 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 5:17AM0.41m | 4:30AM0.45m | 4:51AM0.47m | 5:16AM0.48m | 5:33AM0.48m | 5:33AM0.47m | |||||||||||||||
Low Tide | 3:27PM0.04m | 4:29PM0.03m | 5:36PM0.02m | 6:41PM0.01m | 7:37PM0.00m | 8:24PM-0.00m | 9:02PM-0.00m | ||||||||||||||
6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | |
— | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:50 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 |
Feels °C | 32 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 27 | 32 | 30 | 30 | 32 | 30 | 30 | 33 | 31 | 30 | 33 | 30 | 30 | 32 | 30 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 4 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 6 | SE 5 | S 8 | SE 5 | S 4 | SE 5 | SE 7 | S 4 | — | SSE 6 | S 5 | — | S 10 | — | — | SE 8 |
2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 10 | — | 4 | 10 | — | 2 | — | — | 3 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 5 | SE 9 | SE 9 | — | — | SE 10 | — | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 5 | — | — | SE 6 | S 7 | — | S 8 | S 8 | SE 7 | — | — | — |
2 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 4 | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 9 | — | — | — | — | S 9 | SE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 7 | — | — |
2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSE 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | SSW 4 | S 4 | S 4 | SSW 4 | S 4 | SSW 4 | — | S 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | S 5 | SSW 5 |
— | 4 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 21 | 9 | 9 | 15 | 10 | 9 | 16 | 12 | 13 | 18 | — | 10 | 19 | 12 | 11 | 33 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1295 | 1298 | 1295 | 1295 | 1437 | 1330 | 1335 | 1298 | 1330 | 1335 | 1343 | 1330 | 1335 | 1311 | 750 | 797 | 1435 | 1207 | 1304 | 1480 | 1300 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Texas | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Galveston Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Galveston provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Galveston can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Galveston 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 (Galveston) 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 Galveston 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.
Galveston is 3 km (2 miles) from Galveston. If you plan a vacation in Texas, look for hotels and other accommodation in Galveston. Galveston has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











