
Surf Forecasts:
Galveston surf forecast from 2 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 6s period, SSE swell with 20 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Galveston this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Galveston in the next 16 days are 0.5m 6s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be 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 (Wed 9th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Galveston over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – the next 16 days for Galveston are a tough one to call. We’re looking at a long stretch of flat, choppy, and generally frustrating conditions. The first real surf recommendation doesn't appear until the very end of the period, so there’s a big gap of nothing much to write home about for the first two weeks.
From Wednesday, September 2nd right through to Tuesday, September 15th, it’s a quiet, messy story. The swell is tiny, mostly under 2ft, and coming from the south and southeast. The period is short (4 to 6 seconds), which means no power, no shape. The wind is all over the place – onshore, cross-onshore, sometimes hitting 19 mph with those afternoon storms. The combined wave energy is weak, barely cracking 25 at the best of times, and usually just a measly 1-14. It’s a real bust. The water temp is sitting at 88°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, but that’s little comfort when there’s nothing to ride.
The first glimmer of hope, and I mean a tiny glimmer, comes on Wednesday, September 16th. The morning sees a bit of swell from the southeast at 1ft, but the wind is cranking from the south at 19 mph, making it a fresh cross-onshore chop. The energy is still weak at 10. The afternoon is a bit better wind-wise, but the swell is still just 1ft. Nothing to get excited about.
Thursday, September 17th, offers the best of a seriously poor bunch. The morning has a 0.7ft SSE swell and a 6-second period, but the wind is still a fresh 19 mph onshore. The energy is a paltry 6. That afternoon, same story with a bit less wind.
The Standout (and it’s a sad one): If you absolutely have to get wet, and I mean *have to*, the best you’re looking at is Galveston itself. It’s a breakwater spot, so it’s exposed to the tiny south and southeast swell, but it’s inconsistent and rarely breaks. The optimum swell direction is from the SE, and the tiny 0.7ft to 1ft we get on the 17th is from the SSE, so it’s close. The crowds here are “sometimes,” so you might find a few other desperate souls. Honestly, for a beginner, it’s flat, and for anyone else, it’s a waste of a paddle. The wind is onshore, the waves are weak, and the whole setup is more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer. The absolute best call is to wait for a different forecast.
This is a blank run, plain and simple. For Galveston, this kind of extended flat spell is more normal than we’d like. Forecasts can change, but right now, there’s nothing to ride.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Warm (max 29°C on Wed morning, min 28°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sat morning, min 28°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | |||||||||||||||
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 5 | S 4 | SSE 4 | SSW 4 | S 4 | SSE 5 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | SSE 6 | SSE 5 | SSE 3 | SSE 6 | SSE 5 | SSE 3 | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | SSE 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
22 | 10 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 20 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | on | on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 00:00AM0.48m | 5:21AM0.49m | 4:56AM0.53m | 4:28AM0.56m | 4:22AM0.56m | 4:31AM0.55m | 4:42AM0.52m | 1:05PM0.48m | |||||||||||||
Low Tide | 2:28PM0.02m | 1:33AM0.47m | 3:33PM-0.02m | 4:47PM-0.05m | 6:04PM-0.07m | 7:14PM-0.07m | 8:16PM-0.06m | 9:43AM0.45m | 9:11PM-0.03m | ||||||||||||
6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | |
— | 7:39 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:34 | — | — | 7:32 | — | |
mm | 6 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 30 | 31 | 30 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 33 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 34 | 31 | 31 | 34 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 5 | ESE 4 | SE 7 | ESE 4 | S 7 | — | S 4 | — | — | S 4 | — | — | SSE 6 | — | SE 5 | SSE 6 | — | — | SSE 4 | — | — |
3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | 3 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 6 | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | 5 | — | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 7 | SE 7 | — | — | S 6 | — | — | — | E 5 | — | SSW 4 | S 6 | — | S 8 | S 8 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 7 | — | — | — | — | S 7 | — | — | — | E 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 7 | — | — |
— | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 5 | S 4 | SSE 4 | SSW 4 | S 4 | SSE 5 | — | S 4 | S 4 | — | S 4 | S 4 | — | SSE 5 | SSE 3 | SSW 4 | SSE 5 | SSE 3 | — | SSE 4 | SSE 6 |
22 | 10 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 7 | — | 3 | 3 | — | 1 | 3 | — | 5 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 3 | — | 8 | 20 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1330 | 1437 | 1330 | 1335 | 1435 | 1295 | 1295 | 1435 | 1311 | 1335 | 1439 | 1295 | 1335 | 1437 | 1330 | 1335 | 1437 | 1330 | 1335 | 1347 | 1330 |
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.










