Ixtapa Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s check out what’s on the menu.

This is a solid run of south swell, all aimed at Ixtapa Island. The water’s sitting at 88°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you’ll be comfortable in boardies. The first real action starts Saturday, August 29th, with a nice SSW groundswell pushing in at 6ft and a long period of 16 seconds. The combined energy is strong at 1770. The morning has a moderate cross-off breeze from the north, keeping things clean. The afternoon glassies off to near nothing, getting even cleaner. Saturday is the standout for the early part of the forecast – that’s a proper swell for experienced surfers, with that long period making for some powerful lines off the reef. Crowds are sometimes a thing here, so keep an eye out.

Sunday morning is glassy, with the swell backing off a touch to 5ft, but the period is still a solid 14 seconds from the SW. The energy is moderate at 924. This is a beautiful morning session for intermediates. The afternoon turns choppy with a cross-onshore, so get it early.

Monday morning (August 31st) is another glassy morning, with 4ft SSW swell at 13 seconds (584 energy). Fun, clean lines. The afternoon holds clean with a cross-off breeze, despite the risk of a thunderstorm. Tuesday and Wednesday mornings stay clean and glassy, with the swell dropping to 3ft, but the period jumps back to 16 seconds on Wednesday morning – that’s a long-period groundswell with a surprising amount of energy (773) for the size. It’ll be a bit more fat and walled up on the reef, with longer lulls between sets.

Now, the next big pulse arrives on Thursday morning, September 3rd. The swell jumps to 5ft from the SSW, with a very long 18-second period. That’s an energy reading of 1527, which is strong. The wind is nearly nothing from the NNW. That’s a serious session, but at 5ft+ with that period, it’s only for experienced surfers – the reef will be a factor. Afternoon gets messy with a cross-onshore.

Friday morning, September 4th, is the true standout of the whole forecast. The swell is 6ft from the SSW, 17-second period, and the energy is 1859 – the strongest of the run. The wind is glassy from the NNE. That’s as good as it gets for Ixtapa Island. Expect big, clean lines, but it’s definitely for the experienced crew. Crowds are possible given the quality.

Saturday morning, September 5th, is another glassy morning with a solid 6ft SSW swell at 16 seconds (1431 energy). Another epic morning. The afternoons from here on tend to get a bit of a cross-onshore or onshore breeze, so mornings are the call.

The second week sees the swell slowly fade. The mornings from September 6th onwards are mostly glassy or clean, with swell dropping from 5ft down to 2ft by the 13th. The energy follows suit, from 886 down to 234. The 10th of September morning has a nice little spike: 4ft from the SSW with a 15-second period and offshore wind from the NE, energy at 1122 – that’s a promising day for a few more good ones. After that, it’s small, clean, and cruisy for the beginners or longboarders, but nothing to get too excited about.

There are no real gaps in the surf, just a few afternoons that are blown out. The early mornings are your golden ticket, especially Saturday the 29th, and the absolute peak is Friday the 4th of September.

Rusty, signing off.

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