Ixtapa Surf Break

Lat Long: 17.66° N 101.61° W

Ixtapa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 16 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Ixtapa sea temperature is
31.1° C
1.6° 

Ixtapa surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Ixtapa surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 16s period, SSW swell with 822 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 14s 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 Monday (Aug 17) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Ixtapa in the next 16 days are 1.3m 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 0.4m 3s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Mon 17th Aug)4ft (1.2m) 14s
Best Surf 6AM (Mon 17th Aug)4ft (1.2m) 14s
Most Powerful 9PM (Tue 18th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ixtapa over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s break down what’s cooking for the next couple of weeks here in Mexico. It starts a bit slow, but there are definitely some days worth paddling out.

For the first few days, we’re looking at waist-high swell, but the wind is making a mess of it. Sunday morning the 16th has a 4ft swell from the southwest at 15 seconds, but that cross-shore wind and chop mean you’re better off waiting. The water is a warm 88°, running a touch warmer than normal for this time of year.

The first real window is Monday morning, August 17th at Ixtapa (Mexico). The swell drops a little to 4ft, but the wind shifts cross-offshore from the NNW at a light 6 mph. That cleans things up real nice, and the 14-second period gives it some decent push. The combined energy is at a moderate 635, so it’s not a monster, but it’s a fun, rideable morning for a beginner.

Tuesday morning the 18th is the early standout. Glassy conditions, a 4ft swell from the SSW, and a period of 14 seconds. The wave energy clocks in at a moderate 620, and it’s going to be clean and consistent. This is your best bet for a proper session early on. Ixtapa is exposed to the south, so this south-southwest swell hits it just right.

Wednesday the 19th is another glassy morning with a similar 4ft southwest swell. A little smaller, but still clean and fun. The energy drops a bit to 555, but with zero wind and clean lines, you can’t complain.

Now, after a few days of smaller waist-high surf, the real interest builds towards the end of the month. Saturday morning, August 29th is the one to circle. We’re looking at a 5ft southwest swell with a 16-second period. That’s a long-period groundswell, and the energy jumps up to a strong 1077. The wind is glassy out of the east, so the waves will be clean, powerful, and well-shaped. This is one for the experienced crew, as the size and energy are a step up. Beginners might want to sit this one out, but for everyone else, this is the real deal.

The crowds at Ixtapa are listed as sometimes, so you’ll likely have some company, but it’s not a zoo.

The run-up to that Saturday sees a few more clean mornings--Sunday the 23rd and Monday the 24th both have glassy conditions and 2ft swells, but with very long 17-18 second periods. That energy (767 and 607) will give you some surprising push for the size, though it’s going to be a bit fat and straight-breaking at a beach break. Better for a point or reef, but for the mellow vibe, it’ll still be fun.

The last day in the window, Monday the 31st, has a clean morning with a 3ft swell and offshore winds from the NNE. A good way to finish off the run.

So, to sum it up: the first few days are average, but Tuesday the 18th is a great early session. The absolute standout, though, is Saturday morning, August 29th at Ixtapa--5ft southwest groundswell (16s period), glassy wind, and strong energy (1077). That’s the one to aim for.

- Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Sun night. Warm (max 31°C on Sun afternoon, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Wed night. Warm (max 30°C on Wed afternoon, min 27°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sun
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
2
3
1
3
3
1
3
3
0
2
2
0
2
2
0
2
1
2
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
SW
14
1.2
SW
14
1.2
SW
14
1.2
SW
15
0.7
SW
17
1.2
SSW
14
1.2
SSW
15
1.2
SSW
16
1.1
SW
14
1
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
13
0.7
SW
13
0.7
SW
13
0.7
SW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
676
597
606
693
291
561
592
649
482
431
342
229
222
172
183
211
268
232
294
290
Wind (km/h)
20
WSW
5
SSE
10
NNW
15
WSW
5
N
5
NNW
15
WSW
5
NNW
5
NE
15
SW
5
SE
10
NW
15
WSW
10
NNW
0
NNE
15
WSW
5
NE
10
ESE
10
WSW
5
ENE
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
glassy
glassy
on
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
6:20PM0.47m
7:43AM0.64m
6:54PM0.48m
8:08AM0.71m
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
Low Tide
00:31AM0.29m
2:11PM0.37m
00:56AM0.21m
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
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
thunderstorm
part cloud
rain showers
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:28
6:28
6:28
6:30
6:30
6:30
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:12
7:10
7:09
7:09
7:08
7:07
7:07
 mm
13
12
1
5
1
3
Temp °C
31
29
30
30
28
30
30
29
30
30
29
29
29
28
30
30
28
29
30
27
Feels °C
34
36
34
32
32
33
32
33
34
33
35
32
31
32
33
33
33
32
33
31
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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