Surf Forecasts:
Galveston surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 5s period, SSE swell with 19 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Galveston this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Galveston in the next 16 days are 0.6m 5s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Galveston over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a good, hard look at what the next couple of weeks are serving up for us on the Gulf.
Honestly, I’ve got to be straight with you: it’s a bit of a tough stretch. We’re looking at a real dry spell right out of the gate. There’s basically nothing doing from now until the very end of July. The water is a warm 86°F, which is about 0.9°F warmer than average for this time of year – feels like a bath, just a touch toastier than usual.
Our first real glimmer of hope doesn't show up until Friday the 31st of July. We’re talking about Galveston, and it’s a breakwater setup that’s exposed to any SE swell that rolls in. It’s an inconsistent spot and it’s a beginner-level wave, so keep that in mind. On the morning of the 31st, we’ve got a little pulse of swell coming from the SSE, 3ft with a period of 6 seconds. The wind is going to be a clean cross-offshore from the W, which is a major positive for this place – should scrub up the surface nicely. The combined energy is still pretty weak though, at just 52.
That Friday afternoon, the swell holds at 3ft from the SSE, period stretching to 6 seconds, and the energy bumps up slightly to 64. The wind switches light onshore from the SE, but it’s not howling.
The first few days of August keep the momentum going, but the quality is still a mixed bag. Saturday the 1st has that same 3ft SSE swell with 7-second period and 73 energy, but there’s a risk of thunderstorms and a fresh onshore breeze up to 19 mph, so it’ll be lumpy and messy. By Sunday the 2nd, the swell backs off a touch to 2ft from the SSE, and the onshore wind is still making a mess of it.
So here’s the deal: the standout window is really that Friday the 31st of July through the weekend. The conditions aren’t perfect, but it’s the only pulse of energy we get. For a beginner-friendly, inconsistent break like Galveston, patience is the name of the game. Grab a longboard and pick your moments when the wind drops off.
Stay safe out there.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sun afternoon, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Thu afternoon, min 27°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Tue afternoon, calm by Thu morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 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) | SE 6 | SSE 5 | SE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 6 | SSW 3 | SSW 4 | SE 11 | SW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | S 4 | SSW 3 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 11 | 19 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 8:11PM0.31m | 9:01AM0.35m | 10:02PM0.29m | 9:13AM0.34m | 00:16AM0.31m | 9:13AM0.34m | 4:35AM0.36m | 4:57AM0.41m | 5:31AM0.43m | ||||||||||||
Low Tide | 2:43PM0.18m | 2:14AM0.11m | 3:40PM0.11m | 2:55AM0.21m | 4:37PM0.05m | 3:31AM0.30m | 5:31PM0.00m | 6:24PM-0.04m | 7:14PM-0.06m | 8:01PM-0.08m | |||||||||||
 | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | |  | | | | |  | | | |
 | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — |
 | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 |
Feels °C | 30 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 30 | 28 | 32 | 30 | 27 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 33 | 31 | 30 | 34 | 32 | 30 | 33 | 31 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 6 | S 11 | SE 6 | SSW 4 | S 4 | SE 5 | SSW 4 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SSW 4 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SSW 4 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSW 4 | S 4 | S 8 | S 3 | — | SE 5 |
| kJ | 11 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | S 11 | S 10 | SE 6 | ESE 6 | SE 10 | SE 9 | — | — | SE 9 | — | — | SE 9 | S 11 | — | SE 9 | — | SE 8 | SE 6 | SE 5 | S 8 |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | — | — | 3 | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | 3 | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 11 | — | SE 10 | SE 9 | — | SE 5 | SE 11 | — | — | S 11 | — | S 9 | — | — | SE 7 | SE 8 | S 6 | S 9 | S 8 | SE 8 |
| kJ | — | 5 | — | 4 | 3 | — | 1 | 5 | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 4 | SSE 5 | S 3 | SW 4 | — | SSW 3 | — | S 4 | SW 4 | W 3 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | — | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | — | — | SSW 3 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 10 | 19 | 5 | 2 | — | 4 | — | 1 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 13 | — | 3 | 7 | — | — | 4 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1330 | 1364 | 1295 | 1330 | 1437 | 747 | 577 | 772 | 687 | 772 | 1435 | 1295 | 772 | 1296 | 1296 | 1296 | 1307 | 1295 | 1295 | 1304 | 1296 |
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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.
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