Ixtapa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on offer for the Ixtapa region over the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a decent run of surf coming up. The standout feature is a long-period, powerful groundswell that shows up right at the start and sticks around for a good stretch. The water’s also running well above normal for this time of year – we’re talking 88°F right now, which is much warmer than usual, so board shorts are the go.

Tuesday morning, September 15th, is where it all kicks off. We’ve got a clean, 4ft SW groundswell with a very long 17-second period. The combined swell energy is a solid 880 (moderate) and it’s glassy with a light N wind at 3 mph. That’s proper clean surf, with those long lines wrapping in. It’s a beginner-friendly break, so great for getting amongst it without the stress.

The real highlight, though, is Wednesday morning the 16th. The swell pushes up to 5ft from the SSW, period hangs at 16 seconds, and the energy jumps to 1095 (strong). With a light NNW cross-off breeze at 3 mph, it’ll be clean and powerful. This is for experienced surfers – you’ll want to be comfortable, as the bigger sets will have some punch.

The quality continues. Thursday morning the 17th is glassy with an ENE wind at 3 mph, 4ft SSW swell and 14-second period. Friday morning the 18th drops to 3ft but the period swings back to 20 seconds – that’s a very long period, so the waves will be smooth and lined up, but it might grind a bit straight at a beach setup. Still, clean conditions with a NW cross-off at 3 mph.

Saturday morning the 19th is another glass-off with 3ft SW and 18-second period. It’s on the smaller side, but the calm, clear morning will be worth it. Then Sunday the 20th, we get another push: 4ft SW swell with a 19-second period and glassy NNW wind at 3 mph, energy up at 1078 (strong). That’s another top session for experienced surfers.

After a stormy Monday the 21st with messy cross-wind, Tuesday the 22nd morning cleans up again. Glassy NE wind at 3 mph, 4ft SW swell, 16-second period – a solid, fun morning. Wednesday the 23rd morning is clean with a cross-off breeze at 6 mph, 4ft SW at 15 seconds.

From the 24th onwards, the swell starts to taper a bit, but there are still clean windows. Thursday morning 24th is clean with 3ft SW, wind off the ENE at 6 mph. Friday morning 25th is glassy with 4ft SW. Sunday morning 27th is glassy again at 4ft SW. Monday 28th morning and Tuesday 29th morning both offer clean, smaller waves in the 2ft to 3ft range with good winds.

Overall, the best of the whole run is Wednesday the 16th morning – that’s the one to circle on the calendar. Sunday the 20th morning is another cracker. Later in the second week, when the swell dips, the mornings are still clean and worth a paddle, but don’t expect the same power.

No kite surfing talk here – the breaks are clean enough for paddlers most mornings.

Rusty.

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