Ixtapa Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty, pullin' up a stool and lookin' at the charts for Ixtapa Island. We've got a solid run of swell comin' our way, but you gotta pick your moments.

The pattern is a classic southern hemi groundswell pulse, building through the weekend and into next week. The water is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sittin' at about 88°, which is a nice bonus.

The first real chance to get wet is Friday the 24th, but it's small. We're looking at a 2ft southwest swell, but the energy is moderate (592). The afternoon wind is a bit onshore from the SW though, so it's not gonna be clean. It's more of a "check it and see" kind of session.

Saturday morning the 25th is where it starts to get interesting. The swell jumps to 4ft from the southwest, with a very long period of 21 seconds. The wind is a light offshore from the north, making for clean conditions. This is a classic groundswell pulse, so there will be long gaps between sets, making the paddle out easier, but at a reef break like Ixtapa Island, that long period will really wrap in and offer some nice shaped lines. The energy is solid (1171). This is a standout morning for experienced surfers. The crowds are a possibility, but with the swell just getting going, it might not be too bad.

By Sunday morning the 26th, the swell has built to 5ft from the southwest, with a period of 18 seconds. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the north, keeping the faces clean. This is another excellent morning, with the wave energy getting strong (2405). This one is right in the sweet spot for an intermediate.

Monday the 27th keeps the energy pumping. A 5ft southwest swell with a 17-second period, and a light cross-offshore wind from the NNW. It's not the biggest, but it's clean and consistent. The energy is strong (2269).

Now, the standout of the whole run is Tuesday morning the 28th. The swell is up to 7ft from the SSW, with a 17-second period, and the wind is glassy. Dead flat calm. This is as good as it gets for a reef break. The wave energy is very strong (2556). This is for the experienced crew only, as 7ft and over is a serious step up, but the conditions will be absolutely perfect. Crowds are likely here, as everyone will be onto it.

The run continues with clean mornings on Wednesday the 29th (6ft, glassy wind) and Thursday the 30th (5ft, glassy wind). The swell slowly winds down from there.

The second week of the forecast, from the 31st of July onwards, the swell fades. The mornings are still offering glassy or clean conditions, with smaller, cleaner lines. Friday the 31st morning has a 4ft swell, and by Saturday the 1st of August it's down to 3ft. The energy is dropping off. It's still surfable, but you're looking at smaller, weaker waves. The highlight is the 5th of August morning, with a 2ft, 15-second groundswell, which is a lot of period for a tiny wave, making for some fun, lined-up corners if you're patient.

A few days in the second week, like the 3rd and 4th of August, have afternoon onshore winds and risks of thunderstorms, making for messy conditions. The 8th of August morning has a tiny 1ft, 16-second swell, which is more like a long-period ripple.

So, the best on offer is Tuesday morning the 28th, with the 7ft SSW groundswell and glassy conditions. That's the one to circle on the calendar. The Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th mornings are also excellent, cleaner options.

Rusty signing off.

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