
Surf Forecasts:
Ixtapa Island surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 18s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 15 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 18s period, SSW swell with 1,129 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 14s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Ixtapa Island this week:
The surf forecast for Ixtapa Island over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 4s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Ixtapa Island in the next 16 days are 1.3m 18s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Sat 12th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ixtapa Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, mate, Rusty here. Let’s get into what’s cookin’ for the next couple of weeks.
This window has some real potential, but you gotta be sharp. The surf keeps rolling in, but the afternoons are a bust. The mornings are the golden ticket, especially when the wind turns off or goes dead calm.
The big standout is Ixtapa Island (Ixtapa-Island). The water is a warm 89°, which is 4° warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s noticeably toasty. The best session of the whole run is this morning, Friday morning, September 11th. We’ve got a clean 4ft SSW groundswell with a nice 15-second period, and it’s dead flat calm – zero wind. That’s prime real estate. The combined swell energy is moderate at 816, but with that direction and period, this reef will be working. It’s an inconsistent break, so you’ll wait a bit, but the rewards are there. You might see a few others out there sometimes, so don’t expect to have it all to yourself.
Moving through, Saturday morning, September 12th is another glassy morning. Swell drops a bit to 3ft from the SW, still a solid 14-second period, with moderate energy at 443. It’s clean fun for an intermediate.
Sunday the 13th is a wash – wind picks up, quality tanks. Leave it.
Monday morning, September 14th brings the glass back with a 3ft SW swell and a very long 18-second period (energy 597). That long period means more power and shape, and for a reef, that’s a good thing. The sets will be spaced out, making the paddle out easier.
If you want the best combo of size and perfection, circle Tuesday morning, September 15th. Offshore wind from the N at 6 mph, clean, with a 4ft SSW swell and a 17-second period. Combined energy is a solid 946. This is quality stuff for anyone who can handle it.
Wednesday morning, September 16th is another glassy gem with 4ft SSW swell at 16 seconds (energy 947). Mirror-flat conditions.
Thursday morning, September 17th – glassy again, 4ft SW swell, 14-second period. Energy is 909. The pattern is clear: mornings win.
Looking ahead, Friday morning, September 18th is a sneaky one. Swell drops to 3ft, but the period jumps to 20 seconds – that’s a very long period groundswell. With a light offshore from the NNE, it’ll be clean. Energy is 763. This could be one of those days where the size feels bigger than the numbers suggest, with beautiful lines.
Saturday morning, September 19th repeats the glassy, 3ft SW, 18-second period theme.
Sunday morning, September 20th is another calm, glassy one with 3ft SW swell at 17 seconds. Energy is 978. Consistent goodness.
Into the second week, Tuesday morning, September 22nd stands out with a cross-offshore breeze from the ENE at 6 mph, keeping the 4ft SW swell (16 seconds) clean and organized. Energy is 927. That’s a solid bet.
Wednesday morning, September 23rd is glassy again with 4ft SW swell, 15 seconds. Energy is a lighter 607, but still clean.
Finally, Saturday morning, September 26th is the tail-end highlight: cross-offshore wind, 2ft swell but with a very long 18-second period. Combined energy is 518. It’s small but will have that punchy quality on the reef.
The bottom line: First week is the winner. The standout is Friday morning, September 11th – glassy, 4ft SSW groundswell. If you miss that, Tuesday morning the 15th and Wednesday morning the 16th are your next best bets. Afternoons are mostly a write-off with the onshores, so get out early. The second week has more of the same pattern, but the energy is a bit lower and the long-range stuff is less certain. Still, plenty of clean glassy mornings to chase.
Stay stoked, and keep your eyes on the horizon.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 30°C on Fri morning, min 27°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Mon night. Warm (max 31°C on Tue afternoon, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 20 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
720 | 536 | 407 | 401 | 268 | 212 | 205 | 251 | 290 | 444 | 316 | 1129 | 771 | 771 | 853 | 778 | 584 | 561 | 606 | 487 | 469 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:23AM0.55m | 10:24PM0.53m | 9:31AM0.52m | 10:56PM0.45m | 7:42AM0.56m | 8:08PM0.39m | 7:09AM0.64m | 7:04PM0.40m | 7:19AM0.71m | 7:05PM0.42m | 7:39AM0.76m | 7:17PM0.44m | 8:01AM0.78m | 7:31PM0.46m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:21PM0.34m | 4:05AM0.40m | 4:18PM0.34m | 00:55AM0.45m | 3:24PM0.34m | 11:29PM0.37m | 2:35PM0.32m | 11:58PM0.29m | 2:26PM0.29m | 00:25AM0.22m | 2:31PM0.28m | 00:50AM0.16m | 2:39PM0.28m | 1:12AM0.12m | |||||||
6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | |
— | 6:52 | — | — | 6:51 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:49 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | 5 | 3 | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 11 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 30 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 29 |
Feels °C | 34 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 34 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 34 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 34 | 35 | 35 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 9 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 |
720 | 536 | 407 | 401 | 268 | 212 | 205 | 172 | 79 | 444 | 316 | 1129 | 771 | 771 | 853 | 778 | 584 | 561 | 606 | 487 | 362 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | S 7 | S 8 | W 4 | W 5 | W 5 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SW 12 | SSE 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SW 13 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SW 21 | SW 20 |
25 | 36 | 29 | 9 | 18 | 20 | 54 | 82 | 126 | 82 | 78 | 80 | 61 | 170 | 58 | 82 | 88 | 99 | 79 | 365 | 469 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | WNW 8 | W 12 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | W 6 | SSW 19 | SW 19 | SW 12 | SW 15 | W 12 | SSW 13 | SSE 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 22 | SW 21 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 |
96 | 14 | 11 | 33 | 34 | 54 | 24 | 251 | 290 | 71 | 176 | 11 | 114 | 61 | 96 | 87 | 30 | 231 | 224 | 58 | 57 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 7 | W 6 | WNW 6 | W 6 | — | — | WSW 4 | W 4 |
— | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 12 | 7 | 6 | — | — | 6 | 9 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 528 | 22 | 0 | 536 | 0 | 7 | 280 | 0 | 0 | 533 | 0 | 0 | 215 | 0 | 0 | 536 | 0 | 0 | 529 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Guerrero | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Mexico | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Ixtapa Island Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Ixtapa Island provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Ixtapa Island can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Ixtapa Island 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 (Ixtapa Island) 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 Ixtapa Island 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.
Ixtapa Island is 9 km (6 miles) from Zihuatanejo. If you plan a holiday in Guerrero, look for hotels and other accommodation in Zihuatanejo. Zihuatanejo has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










