Surf Forecasts:
Galveston surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 4s period, S swell with 22 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Galveston this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Galveston in the next 16 days are 0.8m 4s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 4AM. 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 | 4AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 4s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Galveston over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you about Galveston. I’ve scanned the charts for the next sixteen days, and I gotta tell ya, it’s a tough stretch. We’ve got a long, long gap of nothing worthwhile on the cards. The first solid chance to even think about a surf is a ways off, so don’t get your hopes up for the near future.
The whole pattern is weak. For days on end, from Sunday the 23rd of August right through to the start of September, we’re looking at tiny, short-period windswell – mostly around 1 ft to 2 ft from the south and southeast, with periods hovering around a dismal 4 to 5 seconds. That’s barely enough to crinkle the water, let alone ride. The combined wave energy is pitiful, mostly in the single digits or low teens, which tells you just how limp it is. Winds are mostly cross-onshore or onshore, keeping things chopped and messy. We’re talking about a solid two-week stretch of “poor surf conditions” on the reports.
The only real glimmer, and I mean a tiny glimmer, comes right at the very end of the forecast. On Friday the 4th of September, we might finally get a bit of a break. That morning, the wind swings around to a light offshore from the north at just 3 mph. The swell is still tiny, only 1 ft from the SSW, but that clean, glassy wind will make it look better than it has any right to. The water is a touch warmer than normal at 87°, so it’s a comfortable paddle out for a few ankle-biters.
Then on Saturday the 5th of September, the morning shows a light cross-offshore breeze from the west at 6 mph, keeping conditions clean again. The swell is still a pathetic 2 ft from the south, but it’s the best on offer by a long shot. The combined energy is a weak 12, so don’t expect any power.
Look, if you’re desperate for a paddle and a session on a longboard, those two mornings are your only realistic shot. The breakwater is never going to hold much, and it’s inconsistent, but with offshore winds, even flat days can be fun. For everyone else, this is a blank run. The setup looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer through most of this period. It’s a tough run for Galveston, but it’s normal for this time of year. Forecasts can change, so keep an eye on it, but for now, I’d save your energy.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Sun morning, min 28°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Wed morning, min 28°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 4 | SE 7 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | S 4 | S 4 | SSW 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | S 4 | SSE 4 | SSE 4 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
3 | 2 | 11 | 11 | 5 | 14 | 11 | 7 | 16 | 9 | 9 | 20 | 13 | 10 | 21 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 6 | 8 | 13 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on |
High Tide | 5:33AM0.47m | 5:30AM0.46m | 1:15PM0.43m | 5:35AM0.46m | 2:23PM0.43m | 5:44AM0.45m | 3:24PM0.43m | 5:55AM0.45m | 4:25PM0.43m | 6:06AM0.44m | 5:30PM0.43m | ||||||||||
Low Tide | 8:24PM-0.00m | 9:02PM-0.00m | 10:36AM0.42m | 9:34PM0.01m | 10:20AM0.40m | 10:05PM0.02m | 10:35AM0.36m | 10:35PM0.06m | 11:00AM0.31m | 11:06PM0.10m | 11:31AM0.25m | 11:38PM0.17m | |||||||||
6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | |
— | 7:51 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 |
Feels °C | 33 | 31 | 29 | 32 | 30 | 30 | 33 | 30 | 29 | 33 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 33 | 30 | 29 | 33 | 30 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | SE 7 | S 8 | SSW 4 | S 7 | SE 8 | SSW 4 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 4 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 4 | — | — | SSE 4 | — | — | S 4 | SE 7 | SE 8 |
1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 13 | — | — | 11 | — | — | 6 | 2 | 2 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 5 | — | — | — | — | — | SE 9 | — | — | SE 8 | E 4 | — | — | S 8 | — | — | — | E 6 | SE 4 | S 4 | — |
1 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | 3 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 8 | — | — | SE 7 | — | — | — | — | SE 8 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 4 | — | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | S 4 | S 4 | SSW 4 | S 4 | S 4 | — | S 4 | S 4 | — | S 4 | SSE 4 | — | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | — | SSE 4 | SSE 4 |
3 | — | 11 | 11 | 5 | 14 | 11 | 7 | 16 | — | 9 | 20 | — | 10 | 21 | — | 11 | 13 | — | 8 | 13 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1335 | 1311 | 1345 | 1335 | 1469 | 1298 | 1335 | 1426 | 1311 | 1335 | 1435 | 1296 | 1364 | 1439 | 1300 | 1311 | 1437 | 1300 | 1311 | 1437 | 1311 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Texas | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.











