Texas
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Boca Chica, Texas. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sat, May 16: 3–4ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 3-4ft and poor with 9mph from the SSE. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 20mph.
Sun, May 17: 3–4ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 3-4ft and poor with 20mph out of the SSE.
Mon, May 18: 4–5ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 4-5ft and poor conditions with strong SE wind at 22mph.
Tue, May 19: 5–6ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 5-6ft and poor with 19mph out of the ESE.
Wed, May 20: 4–5ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 4-5ft on ESE swell at 7s with light SE winds. The ESE wind kicks in by afternoon — 14mph and poor by then.
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Boca Chica sits at the southernmost tip of Texas near the mouth of the Rio Grande, where the river meets the Gulf of Mexico and creates a unique sandbars setup that can produce surprisingly fun, peaky waves. The Gulf's shallow continental shelf and prevailing northeastern swells during fall generate rideable surf, especially when tropical systems push energy into this remote stretch of coastline. This is one of the most isolated and least-known surf spots in Texas, offering solitude and a raw, frontier-like experience far from any crowds.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Boca Chica is 3-4ft with a 5.35s swell period. Wind is SSE at 17mph 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 Boca Chica is 3-4ft, produced by a 4.5ft 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 Boca Chica is Wednesday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 5ft waves, a 7.4s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Boca Chica works best with a NE 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 Boca Chica. 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.
Boca Chica is a rivermouth with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Boca Chica sits at the southernmost tip of Texas near the mouth of the Rio Grande, where the river meets the Gulf of Mexico and creates a unique sandbars setup that can produce surprisingly fun, peaky waves. The Gulf's shallow continental shelf and prevailing northeastern swells during fall generate rideable surf, especially when tropical systems push energy into this remote stretch of coastline. This is one of the most isolated and least-known surf spots in Texas, offering solitude and a raw, frontier-like experience far from any crowds.
The prime season at Boca Chica 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 Boca Chica include strong currents, rip currents, jellyfish, sharks, remote location, border proximity, spacex launch restrictions. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Boca Chica 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.
