Surf Forecasts:
Pensacola Beach surf forecast from 21 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, SSE swell with 1,845 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Pensacola Beach this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Pensacola Beach in the next 16 days are 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pensacola Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, grab a coffee – this one’s a tough read. Rusty here, and I’m sorry to say that Pensacola Beach is looking dead flat or just plain messy for the next sixteen days. The whole run from July 21 right through to August 5 gets nothing but poor surf conditions. No hidden gems, no sneaky windows – just a long stretch of waves that’ll have you staring at the horizon wondering why you bothered.
The water temperature is sitting at 85°F with a tiny anomaly of 0.5°F, so basically normal for mid-summer – at least the water’s warm while you’re not surfing. The biggest pulse rolls in on Wednesday July 22 and Thursday July 23, with swell heights hitting 8 ft to 8 ft and combined energy readings of 841 to 866 (strong). That sounds promising, but the wind is onshore and strong – 25 mph from the SSE – and the wave comment says “poor surf conditions.” It’s a sheltered sandbar that only really works with a light offshore, and here the wind is wrecking any chance of shape. On Tuesday July 21 morning there’s a 4 ft swell from the SE with a 8-second period and cross-off wind from the NE at 22 mph, but the energy is moderate (193) and the report says poor. The rest of the week drops off fast. By Friday July 24 morning the swell is 2 ft with glassy conditions, but it’s a short-period 6-second breeze swell – barely enough to stand up on. From Saturday July 25 onward, the swell never breaks 3 ft, and the wind is mostly cross or cross-off, but the waves are tiny and weak. The combined energy stays under 41 for the second week, and the period rarely gets above 5 or 6 seconds. There’s simply no quality on offer.
For a beginner-friendly, sheltered spot like Pensacola Beach, this kind of blank run isn’t unusual – the Gulf can go quiet for weeks. The good news is that forecasts can flip, and it never stays poor forever. But right now, for paddle surfing, I’d leave the board in the car. If you’re into kiting, Wednesday July 22 has strong onshore wind and decent swell height – that setup might be more interesting for a kite than a surfboard. Otherwise, just wait.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Thu morning, min 27°C on Tue afternoon). Winds decreasing (near gales from the ESE on Tue night, calm by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Sat night. Warm (max 30°C on Sat morning, min 27°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 6 | S 6 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SW 3 | SSE 5 | SE 5 | SW 3 | SW 3 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | SW 4 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 193 | 186 | 1288 | 841 | 866 | 623 | 311 | 179 | 64 | 15 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 12 | 13 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 7:12AM0.38m | 7:48AM0.42m | 8:30AM0.44m | 9:14AM0.46m | 9:59AM0.48m | 10:42AM0.48m | |||||||||||||||
Low Tide | 5:29PM0.09m | 6:00PM0.05m | 6:37PM0.03m | 7:21PM0.02m | 8:08PM0.01m | 8:59PM0.01m | 9:49PM0.01m | ||||||||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — |
 | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — |
mm | 1 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 1 | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 32 | 31 | 30 |
Feels °C | 26 | 25 | 23 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 31 | 33 | 31 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 7 | SSW 6 | S 6 | SSE 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | — | WSW 4 | SE 5 | S 8 |
| kJ | 193 | 186 | — | — | — | — | — | 147 | 64 | 15 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | 7 | 1 | 1 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SSE 5 | SSW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | — | — | SE 5 | S 9 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 2 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 6 | WSW 6 | SE 6 | W 5 | — | — | — | — | — | S 10 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 7 | S 7 | SSE 5 | — | SSW 5 | — | — | SW 3 | — | — | SW 3 | SW 3 | — | WSW 4 | SW 4 |
| kJ | 44 | 99 | 1288 | 841 | 866 | 623 | 311 | 179 | 9 | — | 11 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 3 | 4 | — | 12 | 13 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1741 | 1802 | 552 | 552 | 1259 | 479 | 495 | 479 | 1151 | 551 | 921 | 552 | 552 | 558 | 553 | 552 | 551 | 1191 | 1173 | 626 | 1714 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gulf Coast, Florida | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Pensacola Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Pensacola Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Pensacola Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Pensacola Beach 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 (Pensacola Beach) 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 Pensacola Beach 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.
Pensacola Beach is 11 km (7 miles) from the city of East Pensacola Heights. If you plan a vacation in Gulf Coast, Florida, look for hotels and other accommodation in East Pensacola Heights. East Pensacola Heights has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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