Surf Forecasts:
Galveston surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 4s period, S swell with 28 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 1AM. 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 | 1AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 4s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Galveston over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright crew, Rusty here. Let's get into it.
Straight up, the outlook for our stretch of coast over the next 16 days is a tough one to write. I'm looking at a long, flat spell with barely a ripple on offer. The first recommendation doesn't even show up until the 21st of August, and even then, we're in a bit of a dry spell. Honestly, for the first week, you're better off taking up another hobby.
Galveston is our only spot on the radar, and it's a breakwater setup that's inconsistent at the best of times. The first few days are a write-off. On Friday the 21st of August, you're looking at tiny 1ft swell from the SSW with a period of just 4 seconds – that's pure wind chop, not surf. The cross-shore wind won't help, and the combined swell energy is next to nothing at (5). It's a pass.
Saturday the 22nd is a little better on paper with 2ft from the SW, but the onshore wind kicks up and the energy is still a pitiful (15). This pattern of small, weak, wind-affected surf holds into the following week. We get a touch more energy around the 27th of August, with the combined energy climbing to (32), but the swell height is still only 2ft with a short 5-second period and a cross-onshore breeze. It’s not really surfable.
Moving into the end of August and the start of September, the waves try to push a bit harder. By the 4th of September, we see the swell height edging towards 3ft from the SSE with a period stretching to 6 seconds. The combined energy hits a high of (39) on the afternoon of the 4th, which is still weak. The problem is the wind is mostly onshore, and the break is exposed, so it’s going to be a messy, choppy mess. The southeast swell direction doesn't match Galveston's optimum either.
There is no standout period here. If you are absolutely desperate, the best you could hope for is the mornings around the 2nd to 5th of September when the swell is at its highest (3ft) and the wind might be lighter, but it's still a long shot for a wave you'd want to write home about. The water is sitting at about 87°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for the time of year, so at least it's not cold while you're floating around doing nothing.
In short, there are no good surf options on offer in this 16-day window. It's a flat, wind-affected run for Galveston, which is pretty normal for this area during a stagnant summer pattern. Don't hold your breath on the long-range stuff; it's too far out and the pattern looks locked in. Keep an eye on it, forecasts can change, but this one looks bleak.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Fri morning, min 28°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Sat afternoon, light winds from the SW by Sun morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Mon afternoon, min 28°C on Mon morning). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | |||||||||||||||
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 | S 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | S 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | S 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | S 3 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
3 | 3 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 15 | 6 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 16 | 9 | 10 | 28 | 14 | 13 | 28 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:16AM0.48m | 5:33AM0.48m | 5:33AM0.47m | 5:30AM0.46m | 1:15PM0.43m | 5:35AM0.46m | 2:23PM0.43m | 5:44AM0.45m | 3:24PM0.43m | ||||||||||||
Low Tide | 6:41PM0.01m | 7:37PM0.00m | 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 | |||||||||||
6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | |
— | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 34 | 32 | 29 | 32 | 30 | 29 | 32 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 27 | 32 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SSW 4 | — | S 7 | SSW 4 | SE 7 | S 8 | S 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 4 | S 8 | — | — | SE 8 | SE 6 |
3 | 1 | 1 | 6 | — | 1 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 1 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 5 | S 7 | S 7 | SE 5 | — | — | S 7 | — | — | — | — | — | S 9 | — | — | SE 8 | SE 8 | — | S 8 | — | — |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | — | — | SE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | S 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
1 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 4 | SSW 4 | — | S 4 | SSW 4 | — | S 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | S 3 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | SW 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 |
— | 3 | 12 | — | 3 | 15 | — | 3 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 16 | 7 | 10 | 28 | 14 | 13 | 28 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1335 | 1426 | 1330 | 1335 | 1437 | 1330 | 1335 | 1298 | 1330 | 1335 | 1311 | 1295 | 1335 | 1307 | 1311 | 1335 | 1435 | 1330 | 1335 | 1296 | 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.











