
Surf Forecasts:
Galveston surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 7s period, S swell with 293 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Galveston this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Galveston in the next 16 days are 1.8m 7s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Galveston over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be honest with each other right off the bat. Looking at the whole 16-day window for Galveston, it’s a tough one. The swell is tiny, the wind is rarely working in our favour, and the wave comment for every single forecast period is "poor surf conditions." There’s nothing here that’s going to get a surfer out of bed before dawn. We’re looking at a long stretch of knee-high slop and chop.
The first sliver of anything worth mentioning isn't even really surfable. On Wednesday, July 22nd, we’ve got a 1.0ft swell from the SSW, but it’s a horrible short-period windswell of only 4 seconds. The combined energy is a measly 6, which is weak. The morning has a WNW wind blowing cross-offshore, which keeps the surface clean, but there’s just no power. The water temp is a warm 86°F, which is about average for this time of year, so at least you won't be cold standing on the beach wondering why you brought a board.
We move into Thursday, July 23rd. The morning is the best it’s going to get. We have a 2ft swell from the S, still a short period of 6 seconds, but the combined energy bumps up to 27 (still weak). The wind is from the N at 19 mph, blowing cross-offshore, which is the only time we’ll see clean conditions. If you’re desperate for a paddle on a foamie, this is your window. It’s inconsistent and beginner-friendly, so you won’t be fighting for the scraps. But don’t expect anything more than a dribbly shorebreak.
The afternoon of that same day is a write-off. A near gale from the SSW at 34 mph blows it straight onshore, turning the 3ft swell into a complete washing machine. The wave energy is only 97, which is still weak, but the wind will make it unrideable. This setup, with onshore wind and a small, weak swell at a beach-and-breakwater setup, honestly looks more like a kite session than a paddle surf session.
The rest of the month and into the first week of August is a painful repetition. Swell heights bounce between 1ft and 3ft, all from the S or SSE, with periods stuck between 3 and 6 seconds. The combined energy rarely gets above 45. The wind is almost always cross-on, onshore, or choppy. There’s a stretch from Friday, July 25th, right through to the end of the 16 days that is just blank. No standout days, no clean windows, no decent swell. For the area, this blank run is a bit more normal than we’d like, but it doesn’t make it any easier to swallow.
The only other faint glimmer is on the morning of Sunday, August 2nd, where we have a 3ft SSW swell with a 5-second period. The wind is from the WSW at 9 mph, blowing cross-shore, leaving a gentle cross-chop on the surface. The combined energy is 38. It’s still poor, but it’s the only other time we see a cross-off or cross-shore wind.
Honestly, if you have to paddle out, go for the morning of Thursday, July 23rd. It’s the only time the wind is clean, and the swell is at least a little rideable. Otherwise, leave the boards in the car and check the forecast in a few days. Things can change, but right now, it’s looking grim.
Keep your chin up,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 33°C on Wed afternoon, min 27°C on Thu morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Thu afternoon, light winds from the SSE by Sat morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sat afternoon, min 28°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 4 | SSW 5 | S 6 | SSW 6 | S 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | S 6 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 5 | S 4 | SSW 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
9 | 12 | 25 | 73 | 178 | 53 | 44 | 31 | 10 | 15 | 24 | 17 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 10 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:57AM0.41m | 5:31AM0.43m | 6:00AM0.45m | 6:21AM0.44m | 6:33AM0.44m | 6:43AM0.43m | 1:20PM0.40m | |||||||||||||
Low Tide | 6:24PM-0.04m | 7:14PM-0.06m | 8:01PM-0.08m | 8:45PM-0.09m | 9:24PM-0.09m | 10:00PM-0.09m | 11:57AM0.40m | 10:32PM-0.08m | ||||||||||||
— | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:14 | — | |
mm | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 33 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 |
Feels °C | 36 | 31 | 32 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 29 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 4 | SE 10 | S 6 | S 6 | — | — | SSW 6 | S 6 | SE 5 | S 8 | — | SSE 6 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | — | SE 8 | S 4 | SE 8 | SE 8 |
4 | 4 | 25 | 20 | — | — | 12 | 1 | 10 | 1 | — | 17 | 7 | 4 | 4 | — | 3 | 9 | 3 | 3 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | S 10 | SE 9 | ENE 5 | — | — | — | — | S 6 | SE 6 | — | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | — | — | S 9 | — | SE 9 | — | — |
3 | 2 | 3 | 8 | — | — | — | — | 10 | 2 | — | 3 | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | 3 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SE 9 | N 3 | — | — | — | — | S 8 | — | — | — | — | — | S 9 | SE 9 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 4 | SSW 5 | NE 3 | SSW 6 | S 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | — | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | SW 4 | — | S 4 | SSW 4 | S 4 | S 4 | SSW 4 | S 4 | S 4 |
9 | 12 | 4 | 73 | 178 | 53 | 44 | 31 | — | 15 | 24 | 4 | — | 6 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 10 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1335 | 1168 | 40 | 77 | 1300 | 772 | 1335 | 1295 | 1295 | 1335 | 1296 | 1296 | 1295 | 1295 | 1343 | 1304 | 1435 | 1330 | 1335 | 1450 |
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.










