Florida - West Coast
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Siesta Beach, Florida - West Coast. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sun, May 10: 0–1ft, 4s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with 10mph WSW winds.
Mon, May 11: 0–1ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with calm winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 11mph.
Tue, May 12: flat–flatft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — Flat waves and very poor conditions with light N winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 12mph.
Wed, May 13: flat–flatft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with light winds out of the NE. Expect the wind to bump up to around 16mph by PM.
Thu, May 14: 0–1ft, 3s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — Flat and very poor with gentle NNW breeze. Expect the wind to bump up to around 15mph by PM.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Siesta Beach offers gentle, rolling beach breaks on Florida's Gulf Coast, making it an ideal spot for beginners and cruisers looking to develop their skills in warm, forgiving waters. The fine, quartz sand bottom provides a soft landing and allows for forgiving wipeouts, while the south-facing orientation captures distant Southern Hemisphere swells that push up through the Gulf during autumn months. This popular recreational beach attracts plenty of swimmers and sunbathers alongside surfers, creating a social atmosphere but requiring awareness and respect for non-surfing beachgoers.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Siesta Beach is 0-1ft with a 3.65s swell period. Wind is WSW at 9mph 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 Siesta Beach is 0-1ft, produced by a 0.8ft SSW primary swell at 4s, a 0.4ft SSW secondary 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 Siesta Beach is Thursday from 5 PM to 8 PM with 1ft waves, a 3.05s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Siesta Beach works best with a W swell and E 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 Siesta 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.
Siesta Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Siesta Beach offers gentle, rolling beach breaks on Florida's Gulf Coast, making it an ideal spot for beginners and cruisers looking to develop their skills in warm, forgiving waters. The fine, quartz sand bottom provides a soft landing and allows for forgiving wipeouts, while the south-facing orientation captures distant Southern Hemisphere swells that push up through the Gulf during autumn months. This popular recreational beach attracts plenty of swimmers and sunbathers alongside surfers, creating a social atmosphere but requiring awareness and respect for non-surfing beachgoers.
The prime season at Siesta 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 Siesta Beach include heavy crowds, swimmers and beachgoers, soft/mushy waves in summer. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Siesta 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.
