Surf Forecasts:
Ixtapa surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 16s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 16s period, SSW swell with 657 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 3s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Ixtapa in the next 16 days are 1.2m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 10s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ixtapa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here.
Alright, get ready for a beautiful run of surf coming up at Ixtapa. We've got a nice, consistent south-southwest swell working in, and for the most part, the mornings are delivering that glassy, clean finish that we all live for. The water is a touch warmer than normal at 88°, so you can get away with just boardshorts.
Kicking things off on Tuesday, August 18th, the morning is where it's at. We’ve got a clean 4ft swell from the SSW, with a solid period of 14 seconds and the wind is dead glassy. The energy is solid, with a combined swell energy of 594 (moderate). This is genuine, clean surf. The afternoon will get chopped out by a cross-onshore wind, so make the most of the early session.
Wednesday the 19th is more of the same magic. The swell drops a touch to 3ft, but it’s still from the SSW with that same long 15-second period, and again that glassy north-northwest wind in the morning. A perfect beginner-friendly wave. The energy is still sitting at 516 (moderate).
Thursday the 20th shows some light cross-shore wind and some moderate rain; the swell drops to 3ft and the energy dips to 328 (weak). It’s a bit marginal, so that’s a good day to give the board a rest.
Friday the 21st morning swings back around with a tiny 3ft swell but glassy conditions. The energy is 353 (weak). It’s small, but clean, and a longboard would have a ball.
The standout for next week is Saturday the 22nd. It’s not the biggest, at 3ft from the SSW, but the combined energy jumps back up to 536 (moderate), and we get another glassy morning. The wind is light from the NNE. It’s clean, consistent, and the water is warm.
Sunday the 23rd is another serious shout. Morning brings 2ft from the SW, but look at that period: 18 seconds. That’s a proper, long-period groundswell, and the energy is strong at 695 (moderate). With glassy conditions, the waves will be lined up and punchy. It’s a bit small, but the quality could be really special.
Monday the 24th morning stays good; 2ft from the SW with a 17-second period and a clean cross-offshore breeze. Energy sits at 587 (moderate).
Jumping ahead to Friday, August 28th morning, we start seeing a noticeable increase. The swell jumps to 4ft from the SW with a 16-second period, and the combined energy is climbing to 891 (moderate). It’s glassy, and a risk of thunderstorms adds a bit of drama. This is a solid, clean wave.
The biggest event arrives on Saturday, August 29th. The morning brings a 5ft swell from the SSW, and the energy is strong at 1269 (strong). The wind is a light cross-shore, not glassy but clean enough. This is solid surf, getting a bit too much for beginners. It’s a powerful, proper swell.
But the real top pick for me is Sunday, August 30th. In the afternoon, the wind goes completely calm, glassy flat calm, and we have a 5ft SSW swell with an energy of 943 (moderate). That combination—size, power, and total glass—is rare. That session will be unforgettable.
There is a bit of a lull in the middle of the run, around the 20th, but overall, this is a fantastic stretch. Get in the water.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 42mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 31°C on Tue afternoon, min 23°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Sun night. Warm (max 31°C on Fri afternoon, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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) | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 17 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
561 | 592 | 649 | 443 | 362 | 347 | 229 | 222 | 212 | 225 | 208 | 330 | 229 | 290 | 290 | 327 | 352 | 327 | 298 | 395 | 400 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | off | on | glassy | glassy | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy |
High Tide | 7:21PM0.49m | 8:34AM0.75m | 7:42PM0.50m | 8:59AM0.77m | 7:58PM0.50m | 9:23AM0.76m | 8:06PM0.50m | 9:44AM0.75m | 8:08PM0.52m | 10:03AM0.72m | 8:08PM0.54m | 10:19AM0.68m | 8:12PM0.56m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:37PM0.35m | 1:21AM0.15m | 2:58PM0.33m | 1:44AM0.11m | 3:16PM0.34m | 2:05AM0.07m | 3:29PM0.35m | 2:24AM0.05m | 3:37PM0.37m | 2:42AM0.04m | 3:43PM0.40m | 2:58AM0.04m | 3:46PM0.42m | ||||||||
6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | |
— | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:08 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:06 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | 39 | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 16 | 1 | 2 | — |
Temp °C | 30 | 31 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 33 | 33 | 33 | 35 | 34 | 35 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 34 | 34 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 33 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 14 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SSW 14 | S 10 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 17 |
561 | 592 | 649 | 443 | 362 | 347 | 229 | 222 | 117 | 122 | 151 | 330 | 170 | 163 | 186 | 141 | 352 | 136 | 298 | 395 | 400 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 14 | S 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 |
31 | 44 | 54 | 67 | 67 | 64 | 81 | 81 | 212 | 225 | 208 | 125 | 229 | 290 | 290 | 290 | 133 | 192 | 189 | 181 | 113 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 4 | W 9 | W 4 | SSE 4 | S 4 | SW 19 | W 3 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 10 |
2 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 91 | 1 | 78 | 80 | 99 | 97 | 186 | 327 | 258 | 327 | 100 | 68 | 67 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WNW 3 | — | WSW 4 | — | — | W 4 | W 3 | — | — | — | — | W 3 | WNW 3 | — | W 4 | W 4 | — | WSW 4 | — |
— | — | 4 | — | 3 | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | — | 3 | 7 | — | 4 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 534 | 0 | 0 | 530 | 0 | 0 | 529 | 0 | 0 | 686 | 0 | 0 | 534 | 0 | 0 | 506 | 0 | 0 | 686 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Guerrero | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Mexico | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











