Surf Forecasts:
Ixtapa surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 17s period, SW swell with 587 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Ixtapa in the next 16 days are 1.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ixtapa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s cookin' for Ixtapa over the next couple of weeks.
We’ve got a pretty solid run of surf coming up, with a mix of clean, glassy mornings and some real juicy pulses of energy. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, so no surprises there – just your usual warm tropical bath. The first recommendation kicks off Friday morning, August 21st, with some small but clean lines.
The standout period is undeniably the stretch from Saturday morning, August 22nd, into Sunday, August 23rd. Saturday morning at Ixtapa is looking prime with glassy conditions, a light 3ft SSW swell, and a long period of 14 seconds. The energy is building with a combined energy of 552 (moderate), and it’s going to be clean as a whistle. A real treat for a beginner-friendly spot. Sunday morning is even better – flat calm, glassy, with a 2ft SW swell that has a lovely 18-second period, giving it plenty of push for its size, with moderate energy (717). That’s a morning to be in the water early.
There’s a bit of a gap in quality mid-week, with onshore winds and stormy afternoons messing things up, but mornings remain workable. The next big highlight comes in the second week. Friday, August 28th afternoon, sees a jump in size with a 5ft SW swell rolling in, clean cross-off wind, and a massive combined energy of 1746 – that’s strong wave energy. This one’s for the experienced crew only, as 5ft with that power is not for the faint-hearted. Saturday, August 29th morning is also excellent, with a 6ft SW swell, glassy conditions, and strong energy (1647), again for the experts.
Into early September, the mornings continue to deliver. Thursday, September 3rd morning has a 5ft W swell, glassy, and strong energy (1077). The real crown jewel, however, looks to be Friday, September 4th morning. A 5ft SW swell with a 17-second period, glassy conditions, and a combined energy of 1757 – that’s very strong wave energy, and it’s going to be a long-period groundswell. This deep-water swell will wrap beautifully into Ixtapa’s exposed beach, offering excellent shape for experienced surfers. Keep in mind the long period means longer lulls between sets, but the waves that come will be worth the wait.
One thing to note: crowds are *sometimes* an issue here, so if you’re after peace, get out early. Overall, it’s a promising outlook, with the best bets being the glassy mornings from August 22-23, and the stronger pulses from August 28-29 and September 4.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 31°C on Fri afternoon, min 27°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 31°C on Mon morning, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SSW 13 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 170 | 229 | 211 | 268 | 286 | 290 | 347 | 327 | 352 | 408 | 298 | 395 | 400 | 208 | 258 | 302 | 196 | 176 | 171 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | on | off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross | on | glassy |
High Tide | 9:23AM0.76m | 8:06PM0.50m | 9:44AM0.75m | 8:08PM0.52m | 10:03AM0.72m | 8:08PM0.54m | 10:19AM0.68m | 8:12PM0.56m | 10:31AM0.65m | 8:21PM0.58m | 10:36AM0.61m | 8:33PM0.59m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:05AM0.07m | 3:29PM0.35m | 2:24AM0.05m | 3:37PM0.37m | 2:42AM0.04m | 3:43PM0.40m | 2:58AM0.04m | 3:46PM0.42m | 3:14AM0.05m | 3:47PM0.44m | 3:28AM0.09m | 3:43PM0.44m | |||||||
 |  | | |  | |  | | | |  | | | |  | | | |  | |
 | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — |
 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — |
mm | 2 | — | — | 8 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Temp °C | 29 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 |
Feels °C | 34 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 31 | 34 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 34 | 34 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 15 |
| kJ | 116 | 122 | 120 | 131 | 167 | 196 | 347 | 286 | 352 | 265 | 189 | 395 | 400 | 208 | 258 | 302 | 41 | 33 | 171 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 9 | SSE 10 | S 8 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 12 | WSW 6 | SSW 12 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | SW 16 | SW 15 | WSW 9 |
| kJ | 170 | 229 | 211 | 268 | 286 | 290 | 171 | 104 | 97 | 408 | 298 | 178 | 44 | 81 | 27 | 40 | 196 | 176 | 88 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | W 7 | SSW 18 | SW 18 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSW 12 | W 5 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 91 | 1 | 60 | 80 | 99 | 96 | 186 | 327 | 258 | 112 | 75 | 74 | 127 | 13 | 79 | 70 | 29 | 33 | 157 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | — | — | — | — | WSW 4 | W 6 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 62 | — | — | 57 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 246 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 333 | 0 | 0 | 184 | 0 | 0 | 530 | 0 | 7 | 529 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Guerrero | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Mexico | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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