Ixtapa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s shaping up for Ixtapa over the next couple of weeks.

The pattern starts a little slow, but if you’re patient, there are a few windows of proper clean surf, especially early in the mornings. The water’s sitting at a warm 87.8°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you can get away with a thin wetsuit or just boardshorts.

For the first few days, it’s building. Sunday afternoon (September 6th) is a write-off with a risk of thunderstorms and onshore wind, so save your energy. Monday morning (September 7th) is where it starts to get interesting. Ixtapa will have clean, glassy conditions with a light 4.3 ft SSW swell, period at a solid 14 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy, giving the waves shape and punch. The combined swell energy is moderate (897). This is a good session for beginners, as the size is manageable and the offshore breeze (NNE, 0 mph, glass) will keep things tidy. Crowds can show up sometimes, but at this size and with that clean surface, it’s worth the paddle.

Tuesday morning (September 8th) is another glassy one with a 2.9 ft SSW swell (13s), energy dropping to 544. It’s a bit smaller, but still clean. Wednesday morning (September 9th) swings a little better – a 3.3 ft SW swell with a 16-second period, glassy conditions, energy at 688. This swell direction (SW) is bang on the optimum for the break, so the waves will set up nicely.

The standout of the whole run is shaping up for Thursday morning (September 10th). Clean, glassy conditions, a 4.3 ft SW swell with a 16-second period – that long period means the waves will have real grunt and shape. Combined energy is 918 (moderate-to-strong). The wind is light and offshore from the NNE at 3 mph. For a beach break, that long period can make them a little straight, but with the right tide and that offshore flow, it’s going to be a proper session. It’s the best on offer for the first week.

After that, the mornings stay clean but drop in size through the weekend. Friday morning (September 11th) is 3.9 ft SW (15s, glass), and Saturday morning (September 12th) is 2.9 ft SW (14s, glass). The afternoons get a bit choppy with onshore breezes, so stick to the dawn patrol.

Looking into the second week, there’s a promising run starting around Monday morning (September 14th) with a 2.6 ft SW swell (18s, glass, energy 476). Tuesday morning (September 15th) is the highlight of the second week – glassy, calm wind, 3.6 ft SW swell with that long 17-second period, and combined energy at 786. It’s not huge, but it’ll be clean and lined up. It’s worth a look.

There are some bigger energy pulses showing on September 20th (energy over 1000) and into September 21st (energy 1036), but the winds are a bit tricky. On September 21st morning Ixtapa has a 4.3 ft SW swell (17s, offshore NNE wind at 3 mph) and the report says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” That’s the most exciting call of the whole window – solid long-period groundswell, clean, with moderate-to-strong energy. If you can surf, mark that Monday on your calendar. It’s almost two weeks out, so it’s promising but not locked in yet.

There’s a gap early on the afternoon of the 6th, but you’re not missing much. Overall, the consistency is decent with fairly consistent conditions on the morning glass-offs. It doesn’t stay flat for long around here.

Stay stoked.

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