Surf Forecasts:
Ixtapa surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 18s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 17s period, SSW swell with 1,970 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 3 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s period with SW 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 Thursday (Sep 03) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 12s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Ixtapa in the next 16 days are 1.9m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 10s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 6ft (1.9m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ixtapa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let's break this Ixtapa forecast down in feet and miles per hour for those who think that way.
It's a slow start, with nothing really happening for the first couple of days. The first window to really look at rolls in on Thursday morning, September 3rd. The water here at Ixtapa is a balmy 88°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – it's like a bathtub out there.
Thursday, Sep 3 – Morning. This is the big one. We've got a clean 5-foot swell from the SSW, with a long period of 18 seconds – that's pure groundswell energy. The wind is glassy out of the north, basically a sheet of glass. The combined energy is a solid 1606, which is a good, powerful punch. It's a bit on the bigger side of things, so it may be too much for the beginners, but for the experienced crew, this is your session. The long period will make the waves stand up nicely, perfect for the points.
Friday, Sep 4 – Morning. Dead calm, glassy as it gets. The swell is up a hair to about 6 feet from the SSW, period at 17 seconds. Energy jumps to 2080. This is big, powerful surf, strictly for the experts. If you're on it, you'll have it to yourself.
Saturday, Sep 5 – Morning. Another glassy start. Swell drops slightly to 6 feet, period at 16 seconds. Energy is still strong at 1658. More excellent, clean waves for the confident surfer.
Sunday, Sep 6 – Morning. A clean cross-off breeze from the east sets in. The swell is a manageable 5 feet from the SSW. Energy is 1124. It's a good fallback session.
The following week sees that swell drop out. The mornings remain your best bet, like Monday, Sep 7 with a small, clean 4-foot wave. The afternoons get a messy cross-onshore wind.
Into the second week, the mornings of Sep 14 and 15 show a very long period groundswell of 18 seconds, but it's only pushing 2 to 3 feet. Clean, but barely enough energy to get you going. That long period will favor the rivermouths and points.
Bottom line: your golden window is Thursday morning, Sep 3rd through Sunday morning, Sep 6th. Thursday is the absolute standout of the whole forecast. After that, it gets small and clean, but not firing.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Thu morning, min 26°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sat night. Warm (max 30°C on Mon morning, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | ||||||||||||||
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 18 | SSW 17 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 295 | 1415 | 1644 | 1417 | 1970 | 1631 | 1591 | 1479 | 1209 | 911 | 911 | 701 | 638 | 569 | 514 | 396 | 326 | 294 | 381 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 8:16AM0.78m | 6:49PM0.43m | 8:32AM0.81m | 6:59PM0.48m | 8:52AM0.82m | 7:20PM0.54m | 9:14AM0.81m | 7:46PM0.60m | 9:37AM0.78m | 8:15PM0.64m | 9:58AM0.73m | 8:47PM0.65m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:39AM0.17m | 2:57PM0.35m | 1:01AM0.08m | 2:52PM0.36m | 1:28AM0.00m | 2:55PM0.37m | 1:57AM-0.04m | 3:03PM0.37m | 2:28AM-0.05m | 3:16PM0.37m | 2:58AM-0.02m | 3:32PM0.36m | |||||||
 |  | | |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — |
 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:53 | — |
mm | 1 | 1 | 9 | 1 | — | — | 3 | — | 1 | 6 | — | — | 4 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 30 | 30 | 26 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 28 |
Feels °C | 34 | 34 | 33 | 28 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 34 | 34 | 35 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 34 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 240 | 1415 | 1644 | 1417 | 1970 | 1631 | 1591 | 1479 | 1209 | 911 | 911 | 701 | 638 | 569 | 514 | 396 | 326 | 294 | 220 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 250 | 175 | 154 | 101 | 115 | 85 | 78 | 128 | 159 | 172 | 185 | 185 | 206 | 192 | 155 | 152 | 114 | 110 | 381 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SSE 7 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | — | S 12 | — | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 20 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | W 11 |
| kJ | 295 | 16 | 183 | 145 | — | 12 | — | 11 | 10 | 10 | 38 | 20 | 20 | 142 | 86 | 209 | 204 | 227 | 81 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 530 | 0 | 0 | 537 | 0 | 0 | 537 | 0 | 0 | 509 | 0 | 0 | 534 | 0 | 0 | 534 | 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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