Ixtapa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a good look at what’s on offer for the Ixtapa region over the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a solid run of swell coming in, and the early part of the forecast is looking real tasty.

We kick off this Friday the 24th of July with a nice clean start. The morning session is the one to be on. The wind is glassy from the NNE at only 3 mph, and we’ve got a playful 3 ft swell rolling in from the SSW. The water is a warm 88°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you’re in for a comfortable paddle. The combined energy is a moderate 881, but the period on this is a very long 24 seconds. That means real groundswell energy, proper shape, and long waits between sets. This is a point break setup, so that long period will work a treat. The standout of the whole first week is the weekend. Saturday the 25th morning is prime: clean 4 ft from the SW, light cross-offshore breeze, and combined energy climbing to a strong 1119. But the real magic looks like Sunday the 26th. Sunday morning is dead calm, glassy conditions with a solid 5 ft SSW swell. That’s a big, clean, lined-up day for experienced surfers. Monday the 27th through Tuesday the 28th keep the run going with clean, glassy mornings and swell building to 6 ft and 7 ft from the SW and SSW. At over 5 ft, these days are getting too big for beginners, and by Tuesday the 28th at 7 ft, that’s expert territory only. The energy is very strong, hitting 2443. The long period (16-17 seconds) means the sets will be powerful and lined up, but it will be breaking a bit straight on the beach, so hunt for the points or rivermouths.

The wind does shift onshore in the afternoons from the south, killing the quality for the evening sessions, so stick to the mornings. From Wednesday the 30th of July onward, the swell starts to drop. Thursday the 30th still has a clean morning with 5 ft SSW swell, but that’s the last of the big stuff. Friday the 31st morning is still worth a paddle with 4 ft and glassy conditions, and into the first of August, the swell fades to the 2 ft to 3 ft range. After that, there’s a long gap of smaller, weaker waves. From the 3rd of August through until the end of the forecast, we’re looking at surf in the 1 ft to 3 ft range. The mornings stay glassy or clean, but the energy is weak (224-305). You can still get a fun little knee-high wave if you’re desperate, but it’s not going to get the heart pumping.

The best call for this stretch is the morning of Sunday the 26th of July. That’s the one with the best combo of size, glass, and energy. It gets no better than that for the whole outlook.

- Rusty

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