
Surf Forecasts:
Galveston surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period, SSE swell with 80 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Galveston this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Galveston in the next 16 days are 1.0m 6s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 10AM. 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 | 10AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Galveston over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s happening in our little corner of the Gulf. Normally, I’d love to kick this off with some stoke, but I gotta be straight with you – the next 16 days are looking pretty flat and unpromising. We’ve got a long stretch of nothing worth paddling out for.
The forecast starts with a very lean run. From Wednesday, July 15th right through the first week, we’re looking at tiny, weak swell. The first few days have heights barely hitting 2 ft, with a combined energy reading that’s mostly in the teens (17-24). That’s barely a ripple. The wind is mostly onshore from the SE or SSE, messing up what little bump there is. By Friday, July 17th, we see a slight bump to 3 ft from the SSE, and the energy hits 116 – moderate, but still a poor surf call. The period is a short 6 seconds, so it’s just wind slop, and the wind stays onshore. Not worth your time.
The entire second week, from July 21st onward, is a desert. Swell heights drop to 1 ft or less, with energy readings falling into the single digits (7-34). The wind is mostly cross-onshore, making it choppy and messy. There’s a tiny moment on Wednesday morning, July 22nd, with a light offshore breeze from the west, but the swell is only 1.0 ft. You’d be bobbing around on a lake.
For a region like Galveston, this kind of blank run is pretty normal in the summer. It’s a breakwater setup that’s very exposed, but it needs a proper push from the SE to get going, and we’re just not seeing it. The water temp is about average for July, so at least it’s warm for sitting on the beach.
If you’re desperate, the best you’ll get is the morning of Friday, July 17th, with that 3 ft SSE swell. But with onshore wind and a short period, it’s going to be weak and lumpy. Honestly, this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing when the wind pipes up. There’s nothing here that’s a standout.
Stay patient, keep an eye on the charts, and don’t waste the gas. Things might change, but for now, we’re on a waiting game.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Wed morning. Warm (max 29°C on Tue night, min 27°C on Wed afternoon). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sun afternoon, min 27°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 5 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 7 | S 4 | SSW 4 | S 4 | S 4 | SW 4 | S 4 | SSW 4 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
14 | 8 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 34 | 80 | 50 | 30 | 23 | 30 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 11 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-off | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:37AM0.46m | 3:36PM0.42m | 8:03AM0.43m | 5:04PM0.39m | 8:25AM0.40m | 6:33PM0.34m | 8:45AM0.37m | 8:11PM0.31m | 9:01AM0.35m | 10:02PM0.29m | 9:13AM0.34m | 00:16AM0.31m | 9:13AM0.34m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:08PM0.40m | 11:59PM-0.19m | 12:54PM0.33m | 00:46AM-0.10m | 1:47PM0.26m | 1:32AM-0.00m | 2:43PM0.18m | 2:14AM0.11m | 3:40PM0.11m | 2:55AM0.21m | 4:37PM0.05m | 3:31AM0.30m | 5:31PM0.00m | ||||||||
6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | |
— | 8:20 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:16 | — | |
mm | 8 | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
Feels °C | 30 | 29 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 32 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 32 | 30 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 5 | — | SE 9 | SE 8 | — | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | S 10 | SE 8 | S 11 | SE 6 | SSW 4 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SSE 5 | SE 5 | SE 6 | S 4 | SE 9 | SE 6 |
3 | 8 | — | 3 | 3 | — | 80 | 50 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 7 | SE 11 | S 10 | SE 6 | S 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 5 | SE 5 | S 9 |
— | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 12 | — | — | SE 7 | — | — | — | SE 7 | — | SE 9 | SE 11 | — |
— | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | — | 3 | 5 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 5 | — | SE 4 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | — | SSE 6 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | S 4 | — | S 4 | S 4 | SSW 4 | S 4 | S 4 | SW 4 | S 4 | SSW 4 |
14 | — | 21 | 20 | 21 | 34 | 36 | — | 30 | 23 | 30 | 9 | — | 6 | 10 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 11 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1295 | 1439 | 1330 | 1335 | 1435 | 1330 | 1335 | 1435 | 1330 | 1330 | 1437 | 1330 | 1296 | 1311 | 1330 | 1335 | 1296 | 1330 | 772 | 1296 | 1311 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Texas | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










