Galveston Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let me paint you a picture of what’s coming up for our little slice of the coast over the next couple of weeks. I’ll be straight with you—it’s a frustrating run on the whole, with very little to get excited about.

We’ve got a long, drawn-out period of tiny, weak surf ahead. For the first several days, from Tuesday the 21st through to the end of July, we’re dealing with knee-to-waist high dribble at best. The swell energy is barely a whisper, with values hanging around the 5 to 47 mark. The winds are all over the shop, often cross-onshore or onshore, keeping things choppy and messy. For the most part, you’re looking at poor surf conditions day after day. There’s a stretch from Tuesday morning right through to the end of the month where nothing really stands out. It’s a dry spell.

Now, let’s talk about the only spot we’ve got to work with: Galveston. This breakwater setup is exposed to the swell, but with waves this small and inconsistent, it’s a tough gig. The water temp is sitting at a warm 86°, which is about average for this time of year, so at least you won’t need a wetsuit.

If you’re desperate for a paddle, the best chance—if you can call it that—might be on the morning of Sunday the 2nd of August. The swell bumps up to a mere 3 ft from the south, with a weak 5-second period. There’s a light cross-shore breeze from the SW at 6 mph, which should keep things a little cleaner than usual. The combined energy is still low at 46, but it’s about as good as it gets in this forecast. Expect it to be inconsistent, and the break can get a crowd sometimes. For beginners, the size is manageable, but the quality is poor. It’s not a standout by any means, just the least ugly option in a very ugly lineup.

After that, we fade back into tiny, onshore slop through the first week of August. The swell drops right off to 1 ft by Wednesday the 5th, with rock-bottom energy values of 5 to 6, and onshore winds ruining any chance of a clean face. Honestly, if you’ve got a kite, you might find more fun than a surfer will during this stretch—those afternoon breezes will at least give you something to work with.

Bottom line: This is one of those blank runs for the area. There’s no real swell on the horizon, and the windows of clean, rideable waves are almost non-existent. The forecasts could change, but right now, it’s looking pretty grim. Hang tight.

Rusty.

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