Texas
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Jamaica Beach, Texas. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sun, May 10: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 2-3ft and poor conditions with strong ESE wind at 16mph.
Mon, May 11: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with 15mph E winds.
Tue, May 12: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 10mph from the NE.
Wed, May 13: 0–1ft, 6s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with calm winds. Expect the wind to bump up to around 10mph by PM.
Thu, May 14: 0–1ft, 6s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with calm winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 11mph.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Jamaica Beach is a laid-back surf spot on Galveston Island along the upper Texas Gulf Coast, facing west into the shallow waters of West Bay, though it picks up rideable surf from Gulf swells wrapping around the island's southern shores. Waves here are typically small and mushy, shaped by the gently sloping sandy bottom and the low-energy swell environment of the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. It's a relaxed spot that's ideal for beginners and longboarders looking to practice on Texas's uncrowded coastline, with the best conditions arriving during fall tropical swell events.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Jamaica Beach is 2-3ft with a 5.45s swell period. Wind is ESE at 16mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Jamaica Beach is 2-3ft, produced by a 2.5ft SE wind swell swell at 5s. 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 Jamaica Beach is Sunday from 5 PM to 8 PM with 2ft waves, a 5.55s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Jamaica Beach works best with a SSE swell and W 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 Jamaica Beach. 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.
Jamaica Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Jamaica Beach is a laid-back surf spot on Galveston Island along the upper Texas Gulf Coast, facing west into the shallow waters of West Bay, though it picks up rideable surf from Gulf swells wrapping around the island's southern shores. Waves here are typically small and mushy, shaped by the gently sloping sandy bottom and the low-energy swell environment of the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. It's a relaxed spot that's ideal for beginners and longboarders looking to practice on Texas's uncrowded coastline, with the best conditions arriving during fall tropical swell events.
The prime season at Jamaica Beach 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 Jamaica Beach include jellyfish, strong currents, flat conditions, shallow sandbars, boat traffic. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Jamaica Beach 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
