Florida - West Coast
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Dauphin Island, 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: 1–2ft, 3s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with light SE winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 12mph.
Sun, May 17: 1–2ft, 3s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with moderate SE wind around 10mph.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 11mph from the ESE.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with 10mph from the ESE.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with gentle ESE breeze. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 8mph.
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Dauphin Island sits along the florida - west coast region of the northern Gulf of Mexico, offering mellow, wind-driven waves that are best caught during tropical storms or cold front passages pushing swell from the SSW. The sandy bottom and generally gentle conditions make this a forgiving spot for beginners and longboarders, though rideable surf is infrequent and largely dependent on tropical weather systems. What makes it unique is its remote, undeveloped character — when conditions align, surfers can enjoy uncrowded, glassy little runners with a wild, barrier island backdrop.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Dauphin Island is 1-2ft with a 3.35s swell period. Wind is SE at 10mph 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 Dauphin Island is 1-2ft, produced by a 0.5ft ESE primary swell at 3s, a 0.6ft SSE 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 Dauphin Island is Tuesday from 12 PM to 3 PM with 2ft waves, a 6.05s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Dauphin Island works best with a SSW swell and NNE 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 Dauphin Island. 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.
Dauphin Island is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Dauphin Island sits along the florida - west coast region of the northern Gulf of Mexico, offering mellow, wind-driven waves that are best caught during tropical storms or cold front passages pushing swell from the SSW. The sandy bottom and generally gentle conditions make this a forgiving spot for beginners and longboarders, though rideable surf is infrequent and largely dependent on tropical weather systems. What makes it unique is its remote, undeveloped character — when conditions align, surfers can enjoy uncrowded, glassy little runners with a wild, barrier island backdrop.
The prime season at Dauphin Island 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 Dauphin Island include strong currents during storms, jellyfish, stingrays, shallow sandbars, rapidly changing conditions. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Dauphin Island 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.
