Ixtapa Surf Break

Lat Long: 17.66° N 101.61° W

Ixtapa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 18 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Ixtapa sea temperature is
31.3° C
1.7° 

Ixtapa surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Ixtapa surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 16s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 16s period, SSW swell with 657 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 16s period with SSW 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 3s is also forecast. 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 1.2m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 10s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Tue 18th Aug)4ft (1.2m) 16s
Best Surf 9PM (Tue 18th Aug)4ft (1.2m) 16s
Most Powerful 9PM (Tue 18th Aug)4ft (1.2m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ixtapa over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here.

Alright, get ready for a beautiful run of surf coming up at Ixtapa. We've got a nice, consistent south-southwest swell working in, and for the most part, the mornings are delivering that glassy, clean finish that we all live for. The water is a touch warmer than normal at 88°, so you can get away with just boardshorts.

Kicking things off on Tuesday, August 18th, the morning is where it's at. We’ve got a clean 4ft swell from the SSW, with a solid period of 14 seconds and the wind is dead glassy. The energy is solid, with a combined swell energy of 594 (moderate). This is genuine, clean surf. The afternoon will get chopped out by a cross-onshore wind, so make the most of the early session.

Wednesday the 19th is more of the same magic. The swell drops a touch to 3ft, but it’s still from the SSW with that same long 15-second period, and again that glassy north-northwest wind in the morning. A perfect beginner-friendly wave. The energy is still sitting at 516 (moderate).

Thursday the 20th shows some light cross-shore wind and some moderate rain; the swell drops to 3ft and the energy dips to 328 (weak). It’s a bit marginal, so that’s a good day to give the board a rest.

Friday the 21st morning swings back around with a tiny 3ft swell but glassy conditions. The energy is 353 (weak). It’s small, but clean, and a longboard would have a ball.

The standout for next week is Saturday the 22nd. It’s not the biggest, at 3ft from the SSW, but the combined energy jumps back up to 536 (moderate), and we get another glassy morning. The wind is light from the NNE. It’s clean, consistent, and the water is warm.

Sunday the 23rd is another serious shout. Morning brings 2ft from the SW, but look at that period: 18 seconds. That’s a proper, long-period groundswell, and the energy is strong at 695 (moderate). With glassy conditions, the waves will be lined up and punchy. It’s a bit small, but the quality could be really special.

Monday the 24th morning stays good; 2ft from the SW with a 17-second period and a clean cross-offshore breeze. Energy sits at 587 (moderate).

Jumping ahead to Friday, August 28th morning, we start seeing a noticeable increase. The swell jumps to 4ft from the SW with a 16-second period, and the combined energy is climbing to 891 (moderate). It’s glassy, and a risk of thunderstorms adds a bit of drama. This is a solid, clean wave.

The biggest event arrives on Saturday, August 29th. The morning brings a 5ft swell from the SSW, and the energy is strong at 1269 (strong). The wind is a light cross-shore, not glassy but clean enough. This is solid surf, getting a bit too much for beginners. It’s a powerful, proper swell.

But the real top pick for me is Sunday, August 30th. In the afternoon, the wind goes completely calm, glassy flat calm, and we have a 5ft SSW swell with an energy of 943 (moderate). That combination—size, power, and total glass—is rare. That session will be unforgettable.

There is a bit of a lull in the middle of the run, around the 20th, but overall, this is a fantastic stretch. Get in the water.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 42mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 31°C on Tue afternoon, min 23°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Sun night. Warm (max 31°C on Fri afternoon, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
0
3
3
0
2
2
0
2
2
1
3
2
1
3
3
1
3
3
1
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
SSW
14
1.2
SSW
15
1.2
SSW
16
1
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
13
0.7
SW
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
13
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
1
SSW
14
0.7
SW
18
0.7
SW
17
0.9
SW
16
0.9
SW
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
561
592
649
443
362
347
229
222
212
225
208
330
229
290
290
327
352
327
298
395
400
Wind (km/h)
5
NNW
20
WSW
10
NW
5
NNW
15
SW
5
NW
5
N
15
SW
5
NNE
5
NNW
10
SSW
5
NE
5
NNW
15
WSW
5
NW
5
NNW
10
WSW
5
WNW
0
ESE
15
SW
0
ENE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
off
on
glassy
glassy
on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
glassy
glassy
on
glassy
High Tide
7:21PM0.49m
8:34AM0.75m
7:42PM0.50m
8:59AM0.77m
7:58PM0.50m
9:23AM0.76m
8:06PM0.50m
9:44AM0.75m
8:08PM0.52m
10:03AM0.72m
8:08PM0.54m
10:19AM0.68m
8:12PM0.56m
Low Tide
2:37PM0.35m
1:21AM0.15m
2:58PM0.33m
1:44AM0.11m
3:16PM0.34m
2:05AM0.07m
3:29PM0.35m
2:24AM0.05m
3:37PM0.37m
2:42AM0.04m
3:43PM0.40m
2:58AM0.04m
3:46PM0.42m
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
thunderstorm
light rain
cloud
part cloud
clear
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
clear
thunderstorm
part cloud
cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:28
6:28
6:30
6:30
6:30
6:30
6:30
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:09
7:09
7:08
7:07
7:07
7:07
7:06
 mm
1
39
2
1
2
16
1
2
Temp °C
30
31
29
31
31
29
29
30
28
30
31
28
30
31
29
30
30
29
29
29
28
Feels °C
33
33
33
35
34
35
32
32
32
33
34
33
34
34
33
34
33
34
33
32
33
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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.

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