Galveston Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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.

Read more