Surf Forecasts:
Papanoa surf forecast from 12 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★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 13s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Papanoa this week:
The surf forecast for Papanoa over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Papanoa 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 0.1m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 13s |
| 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 Papanoa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's take a look at what's cooking.
We've got a solid run of surf coming up at Papanoa. The water is sitting at a warm 88°, which feels a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you can leave the thick wetsuit at home. The pattern kicks off with a clean, glassy Saturday morning (September 12th), with a 3ft swell from the SW wrapping in at a long 14-second period. That's proper groundswell energy, and with the combined swell energy sitting at a healthy 554 (moderate-to-strong), the ocean has some real push behind it. The wind is dead calm, which is a major positive, meaning the surface will be like a mirror.
Saturday afternoon turns sloppy as the wind swings onshore, so that morning window is your only shot. The real standout arrives on Sunday, September 20th. The morning session is an easy call for experienced surfers, with 4ft of SW groundswell, a glassy NW wind, and the combined energy jumping to a punchy 1090 (strong). Conditions look excellent. A close second is Monday, September 21st, also glassy in the morning, with 4ft of SW swell and a combined energy of 1115. That's the most energy of the whole run, but with the swell size over 5ft, it’s pushing beyond beginner territory and into intermediate-plus.
Most mornings offer a shot of clean conditions thanks to light or offshore winds. Afternoons typically get mangled by a cross-onshore breeze, so it's all about getting out early. The swell direction sits right around optimum for this spot (SSW to SW), and it breaks consistently, which is a good sign. Crowds are "sometimes", so you might share it, but it won't be a zoo. This is a long-period swell, so the waves will be better shaped with more energy, and longer lulls between sets, which makes the paddle out easier.
A few other mornings are also worth a mention: Wednesday the 16th and Thursday the 17th both have glassy starts with 4ft of swell and energy in the 963 to 977 range (strong). By the 22nd and 23rd, the swell dials back to around 4ft, but still holds clean morning windows.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Sat night. Warm (max 32°C on Sat morning, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Thu night. Warm (max 32°C on Wed afternoon, min 25°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 19 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 401 | 272 | 212 | 175 | 236 | 293 | 444 | 375 | 752 | 663 | 762 | 788 | 768 | 584 | 561 | 638 | 487 | 400 | 455 | 450 | 507 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | off | on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:32PM0.46m | 4:38AM0.60m | 4:36PM0.45m | 5:43AM0.68m | 5:38PM0.46m | 6:26AM0.75m | 6:19PM0.48m | 7:03AM0.79m | 6:51PM0.50m | 7:35AM0.80m | 7:18PM0.50m | 8:06AM0.80m | 7:40PM0.51m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:21AM0.39m | 9:13PM0.32m | 11:37AM0.35m | 10:31PM0.26m | 12:31PM0.29m | 11:22PM0.20m | 1:08PM0.25m | 00:02AM0.15m | 1:38PM0.23m | 00:36AM0.11m | 2:04PM0.22m | 1:06AM0.08m | 2:28PM0.23m | 1:32AM0.06m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | | |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — |
 | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:44 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:42 | — |
mm | — | 1 | 6 | 1 | — | 8 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | — | 1 | 5 | 1 | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 32 | 32 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 32 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 28 |
Feels °C | 36 | 35 | 33 | 34 | 34 | 33 | 31 | 34 | 32 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 34 | 35 | 32 | 36 | 35 | 33 | 34 | 34 | 33 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | 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 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 19 |
| kJ | 401 | 272 | 212 | 175 | 172 | 293 | 444 | 375 | 752 | 663 | 762 | 788 | 768 | 584 | 561 | 638 | 487 | 362 | 299 | 295 | 507 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 19 | SW 12 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 32 | 19 | 52 | 52 | 236 | 126 | 78 | 80 | 208 | 178 | 200 | 78 | 113 | 101 | 119 | 101 | 73 | 400 | 455 | 450 | 212 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | SW 18 | W 5 | W 6 | SW 16 | S 8 | SW 12 | SSW 15 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 22 | SW 21 | SW 21 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 8 |
| kJ | 121 | 80 | 13 | 16 | 127 | 50 | 71 | 146 | 56 | 61 | 58 | 96 | 96 | 30 | 233 | 224 | 365 | 69 | 49 | 50 | 38 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | — | — | — | — | SW 6 | — |
| kJ | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 11 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 597 | 0 | 0 | 586 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 481 | 0 | 0 | 556 | 0 | 0 | 1131 | 0 | 0 | 288 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Guerrero | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Papanoa Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Papanoa provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Papanoa can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Papanoa 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 (Papanoa) 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 Papanoa 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.
Papanoa is 35 km (22 miles) from Atoyac de Alvarez. If you plan a holiday in Guerrero, look for hotels and other accommodation in Atoyac de Alvarez. Atoyac de Alvarez has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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