
Surf Forecasts:
Ixtapa surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 16s period, SSW swell with 969 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 13s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Ixtapa this week:
The surf forecast for Ixtapa over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Ixtapa in the next 16 days are 1.4m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ixtapa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk about what’s on the cards for Ixtapa over the next couple of weeks. It’s a fairly consistent stretch of small to moderate SW swell, and the wind pattern is shaping up to deliver plenty of clean, glassy mornings. The water is sitting around the seasonal average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The first surfable conditions kick off Sunday, 13 September.
Sunday morning, 13 September, sees a small 2ft SW swell (228 combined energy) with a cross-off breeze from the east. It’s not big, but the period is a solid 13 seconds, and it’s clean. The afternoon gets messy as the wind swings onshore.
Monday, 14 September, is where things start to look good. The morning delivers a glassy 3ft SW groundswell with an 18-second period (572 combined energy). That’s proper long-period energy, so the waves will have shape, but expect longer lulls between sets. Perfect for the points and reefs around here. The afternoon blows out with onshore south wind.
Tuesday, 15 September, is another beauty – glassy 4ft SW swell (881 combined energy) and a 17-second period in the morning. Clean, lined-up waves for a fun session. Afternoon again turns choppy.
Wednesday, 16 September, kicks off with clear skies, glassy conditions, and a 4ft SSW swell (924 combined energy). That’s a bit of size, still approachable for confident intermediates, and with that 16-second period it’ll have real punch. The morning windows are the clear picks right through the week.
Thursday, 17 September, offers another glassy 4ft SSW swell (865 combined energy) with a 14-second period in the AM. Clean and fun. Then Friday, 18 September, keeps the string going – 3ft SW swell but with a 20-second period (787 combined energy). That’s a very long-period groundswell, so expect the sets to be well-spaced but powerful. The morning is glassy again.
Saturday, 19 September, is a little smaller at 3ft SW (748 combined energy) but still glassy and 18 seconds. Nice if you just want to cruise.
Now, the standout stretch hits Sunday, 20 September, through Monday, 21 September. Sunday morning delivers a 4ft SW swell (1069 combined energy) with a 19-second period and glass. That’s strong wave energy for the area, long-period power, and clean. This is the best of the run for experienced surfers. Monday, 21 September, is nearly identical – 4ft SW swell (1080 combined energy) with a 17-second period and glassy. Both mornings are the highlight of the outlook.
Tuesday, 22 September, keeps modest size but the wind shifts – a cross-shore breeze in the morning with 4ft SW (814 combined energy). It’s still surfable but not as pristine. Wednesday, 23 September, returns to glassy 4ft SW (592 combined energy) with a 15-second period in the AM.
The second week tails off a bit. Thursday, 24 September, through Saturday, 28 September, offers mostly glassy mornings and small 3ft to 4ft SW swell, periods dropping to 13-14 seconds. Wave energy is moderate (493 to 812 combined energy). Still clean seshes, but nothing to write home about.
Crowds? Ixtapa is a beginner-friendly spot and can get a few out, especially on the cleaner mornings. For the standouts on 20 and 21 September, expect a few more heads because the quality is obvious – but with this much good morning surf on offer, there’s space to find your own bank.
All up, set your alarm for the early glass-offs. The groundswell windows from mid-Sept right through to the 21st are where it’s at. The afternoons are mostly a write-off with onshore wind, so chase the dawn patrol.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 31°C on Sun morning, min 27°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Thu night. Warm (max 31°C on Thu afternoon, min 26°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 19 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
212 | 175 | 236 | 293 | 444 | 375 | 760 | 663 | 771 | 853 | 778 | 584 | 561 | 553 | 487 | 469 | 455 | 450 | 502 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 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 | 8:23AM0.78m | 7:42PM0.48m | ||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 2:48PM0.29m | 1:33AM0.09m | ||||||
— | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | |
— | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:49 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | — | 4 | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 5 | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 |
Feels °C | 35 | 35 | 34 | 35 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 34 | 32 | 34 | 34 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 32 | 31 | 33 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 19 |
212 | 175 | 172 | 293 | 444 | 375 | 760 | 663 | 771 | 853 | 778 | 584 | 561 | 553 | 487 | 362 | 299 | 269 | 502 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | S 8 | S 9 | SW 12 | S 9 | S 9 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SSW 13 |
15 | 37 | 57 | 126 | 57 | 76 | 208 | 178 | 175 | 96 | 58 | 103 | 96 | 88 | 86 | 469 | 455 | 450 | 212 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | W 6 | SW 19 | S 8 | SW 12 | SSW 15 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 22 | SW 21 | SW 21 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 8 |
33 | 16 | 236 | 51 | 71 | 146 | 57 | 40 | 39 | 37 | 88 | 58 | 233 | 224 | 365 | 48 | 33 | 33 | 22 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 530 | 0 | 0 | 265 | 0 | 0 | 534 | 0 | 0 | 529 | 0 | 0 | 530 | 0 | 0 | 134 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Guerrero | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Mexico | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Ixtapa Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Ixtapa provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Ixtapa can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Ixtapa 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) 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 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 is 7 km (4 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.










