Florida - West Coast
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Anna Maria, Florida - West Coast. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sat, May 16: 0–1ft, 4s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with glassy conditions. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 16mph.
Sun, May 17: 0–1ft, 4s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with 9mph from the E. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 13mph.
Mon, May 18: 0–1ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with 16mph out of the E.
Tue, May 19: 0–1ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with strong E wind at 15mph.
Wed, May 20: 0–1ft, 4s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with 12mph from the E.
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Anna Maria Island on Florida's Gulf Coast offers mellow, rolling beach breaks that are perfect for learning and progressing your surfing skills. The shallow sandbars create forgiving waves that typically max out in the 2-4 foot range, making this an ideal destination for beginners and families looking to escape the Atlantic's more intense conditions. Protected from the direct force of Atlantic swells, the spot produces consistent, playful waves during fall and winter months when Gulf swells align with the island's west-facing orientation.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Anna Maria is 0-1ft with a 3.7s swell period. Wind is ESE 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 Anna Maria is 0-1ft, produced by a 1.2ft NNW primary 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 Anna Maria is Saturday from 10 AM to 1 PM with 1ft waves, a 3.65s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Anna Maria 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 Anna Maria. 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.
Anna Maria is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Anna Maria Island on Florida's Gulf Coast offers mellow, rolling beach breaks that are perfect for learning and progressing your surfing skills. The shallow sandbars create forgiving waves that typically max out in the 2-4 foot range, making this an ideal destination for beginners and families looking to escape the Atlantic's more intense conditions. Protected from the direct force of Atlantic swells, the spot produces consistent, playful waves during fall and winter months when Gulf swells align with the island's west-facing orientation.
The prime season at Anna Maria 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 Anna Maria include shallow water, stingrays, occasional strong currents. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Anna Maria 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.
