Florida - West Coast
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Dauphin Island, Florida - West Coast. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Tue, Jun 16: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and very poor conditions with glassy conditions.
Wed, Jun 17: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 2-3ft and mostly very poor with strong SSW wind at 19mph. Afternoon breeze fills in to 28mph.
Thu, Jun 18: 3–4ft, 7s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 3-4ft and very poor with 25mph out of the SSW.
Fri, Jun 19: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Pretty quiet out there — 2-3ft and mostly poor - fair with 11mph SSW winds.
Sat, Jun 20: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Late morning into early afternoon looks best — 2ft with 8mph from the WNW. Early on is a little rough — give it until mid-morning to shape up.
Dauphin Island sits along the florida - west coast region of the northern Gulf of Mexico, offering mellow, wind-driven waves that are best caught during tropical storms or cold front passages pushing swell from the SSW. The sandy bottom and generally gentle conditions make this a forgiving spot for beginners and longboarders, though rideable surf is infrequent and largely dependent on tropical weather systems. What makes it unique is its remote, undeveloped character — when conditions align, surfers can enjoy uncrowded, glassy little runners with a wild, barrier island backdrop.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Dauphin Island is 1-2ft with a 5.45s swell period. Wind is SSW at 18mph and conditions are rated Very Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Dauphin Island is 1-2ft, produced by a 2.2ft SSW primary swell at 5s, a 0.3ft S secondary swell at 9s, a 1ft W wind swell swell at 4s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Dauphin Island is Friday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 7.5s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Dauphin Island works best with a SSW swell and NNE winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at Dauphin Island. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
Dauphin Island is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Dauphin Island sits along the florida - west coast region of the northern Gulf of Mexico, offering mellow, wind-driven waves that are best caught during tropical storms or cold front passages pushing swell from the SSW. The sandy bottom and generally gentle conditions make this a forgiving spot for beginners and longboarders, though rideable surf is infrequent and largely dependent on tropical weather systems. What makes it unique is its remote, undeveloped character — when conditions align, surfers can enjoy uncrowded, glassy little runners with a wild, barrier island backdrop.
The prime season at Dauphin Island is fall, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at Dauphin Island include strong currents during storms, jellyfish, stingrays, shallow sandbars, rapidly changing conditions. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Dauphin Island forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
