Texas
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Jamaica Beach, 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: 2–3ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 2-3ft and poor with 18mph out of the SSE.
Sun, May 17: 3–4ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 3-4ft and mostly poor with strong SSE wind at 18mph.
Mon, May 18: 4–5ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 3-4ft and poor conditions with strong SE wind at 17mph.
Tue, May 19: 3–4ft, 8s period, rated Poor. First light looks cleanest — 4-5ft on SSE swell at 8s with 13mph SSE winds. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 3-4ft waves on SSE swell at 7s and 11mph from the SE. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
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Jamaica Beach is a laid-back surf spot on Galveston Island along the upper Texas Gulf Coast, facing west into the shallow waters of West Bay, though it picks up rideable surf from Gulf swells wrapping around the island's southern shores. Waves here are typically small and mushy, shaped by the gently sloping sandy bottom and the low-energy swell environment of the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. It's a relaxed spot that's ideal for beginners and longboarders looking to practice on Texas's uncrowded coastline, with the best conditions arriving during fall tropical swell events.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Jamaica Beach is 2-3ft with a 5.15s swell period. Wind is SSE at 18mph 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 Jamaica Beach is 2-3ft, produced by a 3.3ft SSE 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 Jamaica Beach is Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 6.15s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Jamaica Beach works best with a SSE 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 Jamaica 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.
Jamaica Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Jamaica Beach is a laid-back surf spot on Galveston Island along the upper Texas Gulf Coast, facing west into the shallow waters of West Bay, though it picks up rideable surf from Gulf swells wrapping around the island's southern shores. Waves here are typically small and mushy, shaped by the gently sloping sandy bottom and the low-energy swell environment of the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. It's a relaxed spot that's ideal for beginners and longboarders looking to practice on Texas's uncrowded coastline, with the best conditions arriving during fall tropical swell events.
The prime season at Jamaica 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 Jamaica Beach include jellyfish, strong currents, flat conditions, shallow sandbars, boat traffic. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Jamaica 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.
