
Surf Forecasts:
Ixtapa surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 16s period, SSW swell with 969 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 15s 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 (Sep 11) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 19s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Ixtapa in the next 16 days are 1.4m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 8s period and expected on Friday (Sep 11) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Fri 11th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ixtapa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at the surf ahead for our stretch of coast. It’s a bit of a slow burner to start, but there are a couple of windows that are going to be well worth your time.
The opening days are a bit of a tease. We've got some fun-sized swell showing up, but the wind is going to make things a little tricky at times. Friday the 11th kicks off with a clean, glassy 4ft SW groundswell on offer, and that’s a solid start. The energy reading is moderate at 816. A little later, Saturday morning looks clean with a cross-off breeze and a 3ft SW swell, though not as strong. We're looking at small, clean conditions.
The real standout in the near-term is Tuesday the 15th. The morning brings that southwest groundswell up to 4ft, but the energy is really starting to push through with a reading of 897. The wind is light and cross-off, leaving the surf clean and lined up. That’s a good one.
Then we get another gem. On the morning of Sunday the 20th, the energy really kicks in, hitting 1071, which is strong and pushing into the very strong range. The swell is a clean 4ft from the SW with a solid 19-second period. But the magic is the wind: dead glassy. This is for the more experienced crew – that long period and size will have some push behind it.
If you miss that, Monday the 21st is the other big one. The swell is up to 4ft from the SW with that strong energy reading of 1053, and the wind is completely calm. It’s got “excellent” written all over it for the experienced surfer. We're talking about the 21st, which is nine days out, so keep an eye on it, but it's got real potential.
Beyond that, the second week gets a bit messier. There’s still swell around, like on the 26th with a clean 3ft SW swell, but the consistency drops and the winds get more variable. It's not the time to be making firm plans.
One thing to remember is that the water temps are about average for this time of year, so nothing out of the ordinary there.
Also, for you guys at Ixtapa – it’s an exposed spot and the swell direction from the S/SW is right in its wheelhouse. Crowds can be a factor sometimes, so get out early for the best of the clean windows.
So, to wrap it up: the mornings on the 15th, 20th, and 21st are the pick. Go get some.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 31°C on Sun morning, min 27°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Mon night. Warm (max 31°C on Tue morning, min 26°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
993 | 720 | 536 | 407 | 401 | 272 | 212 | 175 | 172 | 293 | 444 | 316 | 768 | 663 | 771 | 788 | 843 | 584 | 561 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:52PM0.59m | 10:23AM0.55m | 10:24PM0.53m | 9:31AM0.52m | 10:56PM0.45m | 7:42AM0.56m | 8:08PM0.39m | 7:09AM0.64m | 7:04PM0.40m | 7:19AM0.71m | 7:05PM0.42m | 7:39AM0.76m | 7:17PM0.44m | ||||||
Low Tide | 4:12AM0.28m | 4:21PM0.34m | 4:05AM0.40m | 4:18PM0.34m | 00:55AM0.45m | 3:24PM0.34m | 11:29PM0.37m | 2:35PM0.32m | 11:58PM0.29m | 2:26PM0.29m | 00:25AM0.22m | 2:31PM0.28m | 00:50AM0.16m | ||||||
— | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | |
— | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:51 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:49 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:47 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 4 | — | 1 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 28 |
Feels °C | 34 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 34 | 34 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
993 | 720 | 536 | 407 | 401 | 272 | 212 | 175 | 172 | 293 | 444 | 316 | 768 | 663 | 771 | 788 | 843 | 584 | 561 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 7 | SW 19 | SSW 8 | S 8 | W 5 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | S 9 | SW 12 | S 9 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 |
9 | 96 | 39 | 20 | 27 | 30 | 22 | 24 | 57 | 126 | 59 | 146 | 208 | 178 | 170 | 96 | 56 | 56 | 56 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 13 | W 12 | SW 18 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | W 6 | S 8 | SW 12 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 22 |
16 | 15 | 30 | 11 | 80 | 22 | 33 | 38 | 24 | 51 | 71 | 57 | 56 | 56 | 73 | 51 | 66 | 30 | 233 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WNW 8 | W 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 24 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 530 | 0 | 0 | 537 | 0 | 0 | 530 | 0 | 0 | 534 | 0 | 0 | 529 | 0 | 0 | 537 | 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.










