Florida - West Coast
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Clearwater, 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: flat–flatft, 2s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — Flat and very poor conditions with glassy conditions. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 16mph.
Sun, May 17: flat–flatft, 3s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — Flat and very poor with light winds out of the E. Afternoon breeze fills in to 10mph.
Mon, May 18: 0–1ft, 3s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with 15mph out of the ESE.
Tue, May 19: 0–1ft, 3s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — Flat and very poor conditions with strong ESE wind at 14mph.
Wed, May 20: 0–1ft, 3s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with moderate ESE wind around 11mph.
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Clearwater Beach is a gentle Gulf Coast beach break that only produces rideable waves during cold fronts and tropical systems that push W or SW swell into the Gulf. Waves are typically small and short-lived compared to Atlantic-facing beaches. When conditions align, the sandy bottom creates fun, forgiving peaks ideal for longboarding and learning.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Clearwater is Flat with a 2.15s 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 Clearwater is Flat, produced by a 0.5ft WNW primary swell at 4s, a 0.8ft ENE wind swell swell at 2s. 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 Clearwater is Wednesday from 3 PM to 6 PM with 0ft waves, a 2.15s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Clearwater 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 Clearwater. 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.
Clearwater is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Clearwater Beach is a gentle Gulf Coast beach break that only produces rideable waves during cold fronts and tropical systems that push W or SW swell into the Gulf. Waves are typically small and short-lived compared to Atlantic-facing beaches. When conditions align, the sandy bottom creates fun, forgiving peaks ideal for longboarding and learning.
The prime season at Clearwater is winter, 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 Clearwater include inconsistent surf, swimmers and beach traffic, jellyfish. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Clearwater 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.
